NEBRASKA

We went to see my cousins Mitzi and Jerry in Bennet, Nebraska (see the photo with the cute Post Office), a small town not far from the capital Lincoln (see the photo with the Governor's house), at the end of July. It was wonderful and so special to see them again. Last time we had met was in London in 1993. We had great food and conversations in their home. Mitzi served homemade bread and pancakes, made from her own-milled flour. Delicious!

Mitzi and Jerry met us at the airport in Omaha and after lunch we went to the Lewis and Clark museum nearby. Georgie loved to see the stuffed bear and beaver. The museum gave us a good insight into the expedition of 1803. (see the beaver photo and the one of Georgie paddling an Indian canoe)

"The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806) was the first overland expedition undertaken by the United States to the Pacific Coast and back. The expedition team was headed by the US Army soldiers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The expedition's goal was to gain an accurate sense of the resources being exchanged in the Louisiana Purchase. The expedition laid much of the groundwork for the westward expansion of the US."

"The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition by the United States of America of 2,147,000 km2 of France's claim to the territory of Louisiana in 1803. The Purchase encompassed all or part of 14 current U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. The purchase, which doubled the size of the United States, comprises around 23% of current U.S. territory. The purchase was a vital moment in the presidency of Thomas Jefferson. At the time, it faced domestic opposition as being possibly unconstitutional. Although he felt that the U.S. Constitution did not contain any provisions for acquiring territory, Jefferson decided to purchase Louisiana because he felt uneasy about France and Spain having the power to block American trade access to the port of New Orleans. Napoleon Bonaparte, upon completion of the agreement, stated, "This accession of territory affirms forever the power of the United States, and I have given England a maritime rival who sooner or later will humble her pride."" (from Wikipedia with some cuts)

Nebraska (motto: "the good life") is a fairly large state with a small population, about 1.8 million. There are many farmers and there is a "small town"-feel to the place wherever you go.

Nebraska is unique in that it is the only state in the US with a unicameral legislature. So of course went to the capital and visited the Capitol!

The Members of the House call themselves "Senators". Nebraska's Legislature is also the only state legislature in the US that is nonpartisan. The senators are elected with no party affiliation next to their names on the ballot, and the speaker and committee chairs are chosen at large, so that members of any party can be chosen for these positions. The Nebraska Legislature can also override a governor's veto with a three-fifths majority, in contrast to the two-thirds majority required in some other states.

"The Nebraska Legislature meets in the third Nebraska State Capitol building, built between 1922 and 1932. It was designed by Bertram G. Goodhue. Built from Indiana limestone, the Capitol's base is a cross within a square. A 400-foot domed tower rises from this base. The Golden Sower, a 19-foot bronze statue representing agriculture, crowns the Capitol. The state Capitol is considered an architectural achievement. It has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects." And it is beautiful, as you can see in the photos of its interior. We had a very good guide, who would not let any one interrupt her sermonical tour. At one point a boy of ten heard a reprimanding "Respect!" from her when he tried to cross in front of her "stage".

We also went to see the countryside and its beautiful wild flowers, in-between the sprawling cornfields ... and soybean fields ... and alfalfa fields .... that's where we took the photo of the lilac flowers.

Nebraska is also known for being the Kool-Aid state (a very sweet drink with very little real juice) and the home of the wealthy and philanthropic businessman Warren Buffet.

(J)