Great Platte River Road Archway Monument (Kearney, Nebraska)

As we continued down Interstate 80, I knew that I wanted to stop in Kearney, Nebraska at a place I read about on my Roadside America.com phone app.  The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument is a museum and monument to Nebraska and the Platte River Valley's role in Westward Expansion.  It sits DIRECTLY over Interstate 80.  I couldn't wait to see this place! The Archway  has a visitors center and the museum is WAY COOL!  It takes you on a journey of 170+ years of transportation history through detailed displays that you hear about through an audio tour as you walk OVER one of America's busiest highways!  When we arrived, we bought tickets and were given headphones and a system that would be our "guide" on the audio tour.  We learned about the Oregon Trail, the Pony Express, the first transcontinental telegraph, Lincoln Highway and so much more as we walked back through time...After our tour, the boys had a bit of energy to burn off, so they raced through the TrailBlaze Maze outside of the museum.  I am very thankful we stopped, had lunch in the RV and went in to explore this wonderful, one of a kind place!!!  Here are some of my favorite pictures from our afternoon here.

We're finally here!!!

Up the escalator and back in time...

Beautiful, realistic looking "pioneers" to guide us on our way

As we walked through the museum, we heard the pioneers tell us their personal stories.  It was very moving...Their journey was physically and mentally challenging.  It was not for the faint of heart.  

Contemplating the journey

Aaron, listening and learning...and testing the theory that if he closes his eyes, I can't see him to take his picture.

All the displays were so detailed, realistic and beautifully painted.  You felt as if you were experiencing the adventure with the characters.  

Very touching...Many lives were lost on the journey.

We recently visited the Donner Party Memorial while we were in California... 

This was neat...You could stand over the highway, look out and see the speed of the cars/trucks/rvs as they passed! 

After the TrailBlaze Maze...I think Braden was still making his way out! Once he solved the maze, we hit the road again!  Goodbye, Nebraska!  Thanks for the memories!