Omahahaha!

After a fun filled week in Des Moines visiting family, it was time to head further west. We left around noon and got to our hotel in Omaha.  Our original plan was to take a day to visit the Omaha zoo. Over the last couple of months, we realized that Omaha had more drawing us to it. Gavin announced he wanted to see his favorite band, Earth, Wind & Fire, in concert. Their fairwell tour is this summer and goes right through Cincinnati.  Unfortunately, we weren’t going to be there when they were. Lucky for us, they just happened to have a concert date that matched our Omaha plans. In another unfortunate event for our finances but fortunate for us, Fellowship of the Ring was in theaters for a limited showing at the same time we were in Omaha. This made Omaha a fun filled two day stop.

In order to fit everything in, we got to Omaha and immediately headed to the movie. We are all Lord of the Rings fans, and none of us had seen The Fellowship in theaters.  We spent a relaxing three  and a half hours gorging ourselves on popcorn and Icee free refills.

The next day, we woke and headed to the zoo. We all had our favorite parts. Gareth enjoyed the nocturnal area for the reduced crowds (did we forget to mention we went on a weekend) and the bats. Gavin enjoyed the world’s largest indoor swamp and the beavers. Andrew found sitting in the front row of the seal and sea lion show as his favorite. Angela really enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful snakes and various biomes represented throughout the zoo. While looking at the snakes, we were able to identify one of the rattlesnakes we crossed paths with on the PCT.  The Western Diamondback was easily recognizable for its scale pattern of diamonds.  We left tired and satisfied with our zoo experience.  Back at the hotel, Angela prepared for the concert with a nap while everyone else relaxed.

Andrew and Gareth dropped Gavin and Angela off at the concert and headed to a game store. Angela and Gavin walked in and found their seats just in time for Earth, Wind, & Fire to take the stage. This was Gavin’s first concert, and he was easily the  youngest in attendance. That didn’t stop him from having a great time. He sang along to his favorite songs and even scored some Earth, Wind & Fire merchandise.  Lionel Richie followed and put on a great show. Gavin found a new appreciation for the saxophone from both acts. We did leave part way through Lionel’s set because we were worn out from all of our activities.