In
this edition of Shuttletrain’s Wanderings, we wanted
to do something a little bit different. Each vacation we take we go a different
direction in the United States of America. In 2008, we went SE, 2009 headed
Mideast to Roanoke, VA, 2010, found us in the Mid-North. So for 2011, Mrs. Shuttletrain and I planned a Lewis and Clark-Great Northern
up and Central Pacific-Union Pacific back vacation.
We
took TrainDog AJ with us, and headed west. Our first
stop was around Kansas City, Missouri Airport, since we were leaving on a
Thursday evening. The next morning drive proved to be interesting because of
all the flooding along the Missouri River. Interstate 29 was closed from near
Platte City all the way to Council Bluffs. So that gave us an opportunity to
visit a friend in Effingham, Kansas early on Friday morning. After visiting, we
headed due north on the Kansas side, until reaching Nebraska border. We crossed
the toll bridge over the Missouri River and got on the open portion of I-29.
There were still huge sand and rock bags lining the interstate, only the
traffic lanes were visible. We arrived into Council Bluffs, and headed to the
Railswest Museum which is located inside the old Rock Island Station.
After visiting with the Railwest staff, we headed to the
Union Pacific Museum, which located in the old Council Bluff’s Public Library.
Since we were running late, due to the flood detour, we just
stopped and snapped a few pictures of the old Omaha depot, now home to the
Dunham Museum. Great place to visit next time we wander through Omaha.
We left Omaha and headed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where
we would spend the night.
That’s where we will pick up the story next!
Stay
Tuned… More to Come!
