Laughs, Landmarks, and Long Roads: 10 Days Together

 Day 6 – Rain, Bombers, Rockets, and a Ride Through the Cosmos, Vintage Treasures and more!

We opened the door this morning to a surprise downpour—definitely not on the agenda! Michael, always the gentleman, grabbed his umbrella and did his best to shield Susan and me. Did it work? Well… let’s just say it was a valiant effort and we were somewhat dry by the time we made it to Dunkin’ for our morning fuel—coffee for me and hot chocolate for Susan.

Then it was off to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, located in Ashland, Nebraska. This impressive museum spans more than 300,000 square feet and is dedicated to preserving the history of U.S. aviation and aerospace—especially the Strategic Air Command’s role in national defense. Think Cold War bombers, missiles, flight simulators, and more.

It was a great experience for all of us, but I decided to get adventurous and try the Voyager VR Experience. I picked the CosmicRider, which took me on an immersive journey through space—and let me tell you, it really felt like I was soaring among the stars. There is a video, and maybe one day I’ll share it. 😉 

I almost went for the more intense VR simulator—the one that flips you upside down and jerks you around like a fighter pilot in a dogfight. But after hearing exactly how much flipping and jerking was involved… I graciously passed. 😂

I did spend plenty of time walking through the massive hangars, taking photos of the planes and exhibits. There’s something humbling about standing under a B-52 bomber or reading the stories behind the missions these aircraft flew. If you're ever in the area, it's absolutely worth a visit.

C-47 A

Nose Art

Door that paratroopers would enter and jump

Paratroopers would sit on either side - Known as a STICK

They even have a bathroom on board😉

Michael acting as the "jump master" teaching me about the static line

Parachutes open over the Netherlands as waves of paratroopers land, in Operation Market Garden, which went into action in September, 1944.

Uncle Wiggly Wings -

The “Uncle Wiggly Wings” nickname stemmed from his practice of waggling his aircraft's wings to let the children know the treats would soon arrive. More than 23 tons of candy were dropped during what became “Operation Little Vittles.

Next stop: lunch at Around the Bend Steakhouse—just a short drive away and home of the famous testicle festival (yes, you read that right!). No rocky mountain oysters for us today, but the regular menu hit the spot. Great food, friendly folks, and a quirky Nebraska landmark we were glad to check off our list.

Then it was time to wander the aisles of the Brass Armadillo Antique Mall. Some of us were on a mission to find treasures, while others were just happy to look and reminisce. This place is packed with everything from vintage kitchenware to collectibles you haven’t seen since childhood. So many fun and funky finds!

And because no road trip is complete without it—we wrapped up the errands with a trip to Walmart. You know the rule: every few days, something needs restocking (or replacing), and Walmart always delivers. It’s practically tradition at this point.

We ended the day back at Linda and Roger’s, relaxing and catching up. Mark and his sister shared stories and compared notes on the family tree—lots of laughs, memories, and connections uncovered. It’s always special to hear those pieces of history come together.

All in all, a full day of rain, rockets, rib-sticking food, retro treasures, real-life errands, and rich family connections (even if they weren’t our family!). Oh yes we did have ice cream with cherry pie to end the day!

Stay tuned for Day 7—we’re not done yet!