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rivendellmom
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| Posted: June 29 2006 at 9:31pm | IP Logged
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We've finally figured out when we can leave on our house hunting trip in Denver, so I'm in full out planning mode. Any cool detours we should check out? We are going pretty much straight across IL,IA,NB,CO. I briefly considered detouring north to hit Mt Rushmore, but I regained my common sense after a very loud 30 minute trip to the mall, with my car hating infant. I think the 16 plus hour trip in itself will be enough!
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Jen in suburban Chicagoland Mom to Connor(91), Garrett(93), Reilly (95), Mary Katherine (98), Declan (05), Ronan in ^i^ 6/28/08
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momwise
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| Posted: June 30 2006 at 4:07pm | IP Logged
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Are you coming by I80? I'll check my Catholic Tourist guide.
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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rivendellmom
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| Posted: June 30 2006 at 5:24pm | IP Logged
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Thats the plan.
Thanks Gwen!
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Jen in suburban Chicagoland Mom to Connor(91), Garrett(93), Reilly (95), Mary Katherine (98), Declan (05), Ronan in ^i^ 6/28/08
visit our new blog: http://recreationalscholar.blogspot.com/
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MaryM
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Lewis and Clark State Park - this is about 50 miles north of I-80/Omaha on the Iowa/Nebraska border. We visited two years ago and it was really cool. We got to ride the Lewis & Clark replica keelboats - an awesome experience and well worth the drive off I-80. But in looking at the website - it doesn't sound like they are doing rides now - I wonder if it was only that summer (which was the big summer in that area for the Expedition bicentennial). It would be worth calling to find out if they still do the rides.
Also in Omaha is Fr. Flanagan's Boy's Town.
From Grand Island to about Ogallala I-80 follows the Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Mormon Trail. This is the major stretch where all those trails are together. This section is part of the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway. There are several trail and pioneer points of interest along the way.
Kearny State Historic Park
Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer - Grand Island
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument - Kearney
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park - North Platte
This same area was also part of the route of the Pony Express. There are several Pony Express Stations to visit on the route, like this one in Gothenburg.
I don't really know much about sites in Iowa or Illinois to share. And once you get into Colorado, just keep driving there isn't much until Denver on that route.
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momwise
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| Posted: July 01 2006 at 9:36am | IP Logged
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The Catholic Tourist Guide has couple of interesting things along your route, along with Boys Town which Mary mentioned above, which I think is now Boys and Girls Town. It would be fun to watch that movie before you leave if you plan to visit.
In Davenport IA, there is Mass Mound at what is now St. Katherine's Episcopal School at 10th and Tremont. Here's an excerpt:
One day, after the dread of devastating storms had long lain heavy on the dwellers of this beautiful country, one of the missionaries summoned all Indians and Whites, Christians and non-Christians--all who could be reached, to a meeting. He set up an altar on a hill where St. Katharine's now stands, and celebrated Mass daily for a week. Day by day the Indians came and went. The Christians sang litanies and prayed for blessing and protection. On the last day the holy priest lifted the Host and blessed all the country that lay before him, and prayed to God that henceforth it might be preserved from storms and cyclones. Now St. Katharine's fair gardens grow and prosper about this spot.
In Council Bluffs there is a Memorial to Fr. De Smet at Broadway and STate Sts. It looks like there is a bronze plaque but no shrine or anything.
There's a beautiful
gothic cathedral, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Grand Island at 207 S. Elm St. Grand Island is one of the smallest dioceses in the country.
Mary's right about Northeastern CO although you'll be travelling along the So. PLatte River for awhile which was French trapper territory so there will at least be something historical to visualize. You'll be on one side of the South Platte Scenic Byway trail as you travel southwest from Julesburg at the border.
Edit: The Catholic Tourist guide is an old book. Unless it is an historical site (like the cathedral) I wouldn't assume anything is in the same spot (like the Episcopal school)
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Gwen...wife for 30 years, mom of 7, grandma of 3.....
"If you want equal justice for all and true freedom and lasting peace, then America, defend life." JPII
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Kelly
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I can vouch for the sites in Nebraska: my kids loved the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument--big crowd pleaser! I loved Buffalo Bill ranch as a child-still remember it well. The Pony Express station in Gothenberg was very interesting, too. There's also a fine art museum in Kearney-I believe it has a very large collection of Thomas Hart Benton works. The day we went, it was closed 
A little bit out of the way, but not far---and fun---is Chimney Rock. You'd have to scout around a little, but there is a family run group that organizes Conestoga wagon drives to Chimney Rock (but I can't remember the name!). Anyway, the whole trek was just a few hours-including time for climbing up the rocks-but it was way cool. I had a six-month old with me-it was doable. Our wagon driver was the great-great nephew of Buffalo Bill! My kids still talk about this detour. Nearby are the Signature Rocks where you can still see the names and notes of by-passers on the Oregon Trail. Also worthy.
Let me put on my thinking cap a little more. It sounds like it could be a fun trip.
Kelly in FL
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4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Topic: Road trip detours Chicago to Denver
