First a confession. I had a brief fling working in a stodgy, conservative stock brokerage. They taught me the markets were logical, driven by things like PE ratios, and more secure in the long term than Grandma's girdle.
Yeah, right. In the last weeks we've all learned people who buy and sell stocks have all the emotional stability of a two-year-old in need of a nap.
It would be funny except my retirement fund (carefully chosen, stable companies, held for the long-term, highly recommended by stodgy, conservative stock brokerage) has tanked.
So what's a girl with the "go" gene to do?
Travel, of course. But with a little more care about where I spend my dollars. (Despite a common misconception, very few freelancers receive "freebies" when they travel. Once I got a free cookie, though.)
Times are tough for everyone, but especially for the mom-and-pop businesses that serve travelers.
So if you're hitting the road this holiday season, don't stop at a chain restaurant (they'll survive without your business). Instead pull off the interstate, go a couple of miles to the old center of town, and dine at the local Barbeque shack, tea room, or meat-and-three. Every small town's got one or the other.
Instead of giving your sleeping dollars to Hilton or Holiday Inn, do a quick google search before you leave and stay at a bed and breakfast. Your business won't matter so much to the mega-corporations, but it may make all the difference in the world to the small family business.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
(Way) Out of the South -- Omaha, Nebraska
Over the past year, I've passed through Omaha three times on the way to writers' workshops in Schuyler, Nebraska. The first time I went I wrote a story on Omaha for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's travel section. But I found I didn't see and do all I wanted in that first short visit. So on subsequent visits I squeezed in a few hours in Omaha before driving out to Schuyler.
Here are some of the fun things to see and do. I wish we'd vacationed here when my kids were younger – it's a very family-friendly town.
Durham Western Heritage Museum
In the beautifully-restored art deco Union Station, the Durham Western Heritage Museum spans two floors. The Main Waiting Room is preserved as if you’d walked into the station during World War II. Statues depict soldiers shipping off to war, families bidding farewell, and sweethearts dreading the separation. The 1931 Soda Fountain serves a great old-fashioned banana split, too. Downstairs, historical exhibits let visitors wander through Indian dwellings, 1800s houses, and shop replicas. On the old tracks are a steam engine, Pullman car, lounge car, and caboose. Very kid-friendly.
First National’s Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness and Pioneer Courage Park
It's a long name for a series of statues in the middle of downtown Omaha. Beginning at 14th and Capitol Streets, larger-than-life bronze wagon trains head west. They spook a bison who runs around a corner, stampeding more bison. Around another corner, they run (through a building's edge) and startle a flock of geese which rise out of a fountain. Ultimately, some of these geese “fly” into the atrium of the First National Tower. Be sure to look at the facial expressions, both on the people and the bison. Kids will love these statues.
Henry Doorly Zoo
I could spend days exploring this zoo. Rated as one of the nation’s best zoos, the Henry Doorly Zoo is known for conservation and recreation. Lots of the exhibits are indoors, duplicating the home environment for animals from the desert, the rainforest, or other areas unlike Nebraska. Outdoor exhibits stretch across about 130 acres, with transportation by foot, tram, or steam train. Again, animal-loving-kid paradise.
Lauritzen Botanical Gardens
With walking paths, a children’s garden, a model railroad, and statues among the plants, Lauritzen Botanical Gardens is a newcomer to the Omaha scene. Visitors can stroll on their own or ride a tram to the farthest gardens.
Joslyn Art Museum
Since its founding in 1931, the Joslyn Art Museum has gathered more than 11,000 works of art. If you're traveling with kids, this museum is small enough not to become "boring" and large enough to give a sense of art throughout history. The Western collection, featuring Karl Bodmer, a Swiss artist who traveled the west in 1832-34 is especially interesting for kids who love the western cowboy and Indian themes. The museum's exterior, of pink marble from Tate, Georgia, is outstanding, too. There's a café for snacks and light meals.
Gold Coast
The Cornerstone Mansion, now a reasonably-priced B&B was the first house built in what became known as “The Gold Coast.” The Yost family built this 17-room Gothic Revival home in 1894 as a wedding gift for their daughter. Soon other wealthy families built mansions, many of which are preserved as private residences today.
Performing Arts
Teens will like Omaha's indie rock scene. It's centered on Saddle Creek Records, which was founded when childhood friends released cassette tapes of 13-year-old musician Conor Oberst (who still calls Omaha home). The label pioneered “The Omaha Sound”, but in recent years has added more eclectic musicians to its list of recording artists.
With the opening of Slowdown, Saddle Creek’s own rock club/bar, the indie music scene has a dedicated performance venue in North Downtown Omaha. Classic and independent cinema has a new home at Film Streams in the North Downtown area, too.
In addition to the indie scene, the Holland Performing Arts Center, along with the Orpheum Theater, offer a busy schedule of Broadway plays, touring musicians, dancers, actors, and the Omaha Symphony.
Old Market
For shopping, restaurants, and street musicians, the Old Market District is the place to go. Brick streets and buildings hark back to Omaha’s bustling days when groceries and goods arrived by steam boat or train. Fading painted-on ads still adorn many of the brick warehouse walls.
With more than two dozen restaurants, pubs, and coffee houses in Old Market, there’s something for every taste. Although Omaha’s steaks are renown, immigrants have left their mark, too, with Italian, Irish, and Mexican restaurants.
Gene Leahy Mall
Next to Old Market is Gene Leahy Mall – a park with a lagoon and waterfalls, a walking trail, playground, and a huge slide. It's fun for adults and kids alike.
Lewis & Clark/ Riverfront
Lewis and Clark passed through here on their epic journey in 1804-06. The Lewis & Clark Visitor Centers Headquarters, alongside the Missouri River in Omaha, is a great place to learn more about the explorers. Or a place for the kids to learn history disguised as fun.
Park in the Lewis and Clark Visitors Center lot and walk across the newly-completed Bob Kerrey Pedestrian bridge to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Your kids (or you!) can pretend to be scouts for Lewis & Clark, exploring both sides of the river
Here are some of the fun things to see and do. I wish we'd vacationed here when my kids were younger – it's a very family-friendly town.
Durham Western Heritage Museum
In the beautifully-restored art deco Union Station, the Durham Western Heritage Museum spans two floors. The Main Waiting Room is preserved as if you’d walked into the station during World War II. Statues depict soldiers shipping off to war, families bidding farewell, and sweethearts dreading the separation. The 1931 Soda Fountain serves a great old-fashioned banana split, too. Downstairs, historical exhibits let visitors wander through Indian dwellings, 1800s houses, and shop replicas. On the old tracks are a steam engine, Pullman car, lounge car, and caboose. Very kid-friendly.
First National’s Spirit of Nebraska’s Wilderness and Pioneer Courage Park
It's a long name for a series of statues in the middle of downtown Omaha. Beginning at 14th and Capitol Streets, larger-than-life bronze wagon trains head west. They spook a bison who runs around a corner, stampeding more bison. Around another corner, they run (through a building's edge) and startle a flock of geese which rise out of a fountain. Ultimately, some of these geese “fly” into the atrium of the First National Tower. Be sure to look at the facial expressions, both on the people and the bison. Kids will love these statues.
Henry Doorly Zoo
I could spend days exploring this zoo. Rated as one of the nation’s best zoos, the Henry Doorly Zoo is known for conservation and recreation. Lots of the exhibits are indoors, duplicating the home environment for animals from the desert, the rainforest, or other areas unlike Nebraska. Outdoor exhibits stretch across about 130 acres, with transportation by foot, tram, or steam train. Again, animal-loving-kid paradise.
Lauritzen Botanical Gardens
With walking paths, a children’s garden, a model railroad, and statues among the plants, Lauritzen Botanical Gardens is a newcomer to the Omaha scene. Visitors can stroll on their own or ride a tram to the farthest gardens.
Joslyn Art Museum
Since its founding in 1931, the Joslyn Art Museum has gathered more than 11,000 works of art. If you're traveling with kids, this museum is small enough not to become "boring" and large enough to give a sense of art throughout history. The Western collection, featuring Karl Bodmer, a Swiss artist who traveled the west in 1832-34 is especially interesting for kids who love the western cowboy and Indian themes. The museum's exterior, of pink marble from Tate, Georgia, is outstanding, too. There's a café for snacks and light meals.
Gold Coast
The Cornerstone Mansion, now a reasonably-priced B&B was the first house built in what became known as “The Gold Coast.” The Yost family built this 17-room Gothic Revival home in 1894 as a wedding gift for their daughter. Soon other wealthy families built mansions, many of which are preserved as private residences today.
Performing Arts
Teens will like Omaha's indie rock scene. It's centered on Saddle Creek Records, which was founded when childhood friends released cassette tapes of 13-year-old musician Conor Oberst (who still calls Omaha home). The label pioneered “The Omaha Sound”, but in recent years has added more eclectic musicians to its list of recording artists.
With the opening of Slowdown, Saddle Creek’s own rock club/bar, the indie music scene has a dedicated performance venue in North Downtown Omaha. Classic and independent cinema has a new home at Film Streams in the North Downtown area, too.
In addition to the indie scene, the Holland Performing Arts Center, along with the Orpheum Theater, offer a busy schedule of Broadway plays, touring musicians, dancers, actors, and the Omaha Symphony.
Old Market
For shopping, restaurants, and street musicians, the Old Market District is the place to go. Brick streets and buildings hark back to Omaha’s bustling days when groceries and goods arrived by steam boat or train. Fading painted-on ads still adorn many of the brick warehouse walls.
With more than two dozen restaurants, pubs, and coffee houses in Old Market, there’s something for every taste. Although Omaha’s steaks are renown, immigrants have left their mark, too, with Italian, Irish, and Mexican restaurants.
Gene Leahy Mall
Next to Old Market is Gene Leahy Mall – a park with a lagoon and waterfalls, a walking trail, playground, and a huge slide. It's fun for adults and kids alike.
Lewis & Clark/ Riverfront
Lewis and Clark passed through here on their epic journey in 1804-06. The Lewis & Clark Visitor Centers Headquarters, alongside the Missouri River in Omaha, is a great place to learn more about the explorers. Or a place for the kids to learn history disguised as fun.
Park in the Lewis and Clark Visitors Center lot and walk across the newly-completed Bob Kerrey Pedestrian bridge to Council Bluffs, Iowa. Your kids (or you!) can pretend to be scouts for Lewis & Clark, exploring both sides of the river
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
