Road Trip March - Day 13

March 25th 2026 (Wednesday) 

A bit of a lazier start as I'm still not feeling great but thankfully we both slept remarkably well. Today is Fred's day to pick and choose where we go and what to do. First stop was to Camping World in Omaha to pick up the part he'd ordered whilst in NJ.

Then it was off to visit the address of his late parents former home, where they had lived when he was born. Unfortunately, the family home is no longer in existence, only the street, as many of the houses from that time were cheaply constructed and didn't last. We gather from a local that the area had also suffered significant storm damage several years back, the storm had torn through the neighbourhood and pretty much flattened it. It was such a shame that he couldn't see the original home, to be able to see in person where they took photos of him playing in the garden here, especially after all these years. But least he was able to see the area again as an adult.

Fred and his mother had travelled back to the UK when he was about 6 years of age, so this trip was to rekindle some of his childhood memories and feel a sense of closeness to his mother, who had always been most happiest here. Fred was actually born on USAF Offutt Air Force Base, in the base hospital that was on site. Fred's father was a Major and had been stationed on the air base at that time. During the Cold War, it was a major airbase where 'Strategic Air Command' was based, and also houses a deep nuclear safe bunker where the President would be taken during times of national threat. Last used for this purpose when President George W. Bush was taken there in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist strikes on NYC in 2001.

Of course, as civilains, we weren't allowed to enter the facility as it's still an active military base, but we drove around the perimeter, before stopping and having lunch at the Offutt Base Lake Recreation Area. This is a beautiful lake (pictured above) on the outskirts of the base, and a perfect lunch spot, however, we were politely told by a passing military officer that its only open to Military or Veterans and, as we were neither, we were trespassing - ooops!! - so a quick hasty retreat, but no harm done and she was very understanding about our mistake.

Our next stop was to another bucket list of ours - Kenefick Park, where sit the two of the largest train locomotives of their type ever built, and are proudly on display overlooking the main Interstate. Steam Loco Big Boy X4023 & Union Pacific Centennial DD40X 6900 diesel-electric locomotives. They stand sentinel as a welcome to Omaha when travelling along I80 and a proud mark of railroading history to the area and Union Pacific railroading heritage.

To see these two beautiful machines up close and personal was indescribable. To say they are big is a understatement - they are MAHOOSIVE!!!! As I sat and just took in their beaty, my Dad was beside me in spirit. He was my greatest influencer, the person who had passed his passion of steam and model trains to me, and I remember his excitement when he had bought a Big Boy model train for his layout. I don't know if he ever got to see a Big Boy in person but here I was, sitting right next to one, able to reach out and touch it!! The beauty and power of the Big Boy is unparalleled by any other locomotive. For both Fred and I, this moment, standing here, seeing it up close and personal, I have no words to describe how we felt. And quite how they got these two beast to this location for permanent display is amazing, as there are no railroad lines up to this elevated position.

After some time here we popped into the Lauritzen Botanical Garden that sits next door, the glasshouse is a suitably impressive building but unfortunately I was not so impressed with the display, the quality of plants or the range in the glasshouse and left a little disappointed. Maybe it wasn't the best time of year to visit.

Today has been a beautiful day, glorious weather and some amazing memories created and shared, tonight we sat at the campsite, watched the sun set whilst having dinner and a glass of wine, and reflected on times gone by, the people who influenced us and shaped our lives heavy in our thoughts.  It has been a mixed range of emotions for Fred especially, he's not been in the area for over 60 years and visiting it has opened all the mixed emotions and memories of his parents. He was never quite sure if he would ever be here, visiting his past like this, so it was definitely and evening of reminiscing and nostalgia.

Road Trip Day 13 - We have driven approximately 90 miles in and around Omaha.