ONE DAY, GRANDMA AGREED TO TAKE JOHANNA ON A TRIP TO THE CAPITOL.
(This Grandma, looking grim at walking 2 blocks in 27-degree weather.)
JOHANNA WAS REALLY EXCITED ABOUT SEEING THE CAPITOL.
(This is Johanna, not minding walking two blocks in 27-degree weather.)
THERE WAS A BUFFALO ON THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT STEPS.
THE INSCRIPTION SAYS: To the Pioneers who broke the Sod so Men to Come Might Live.
THE FRONT DOOR WAS LOCKED SO THEY HAD TO GO IN UNDER THE STEPS WHERE CARS PARKED.
THE PART JOHANNA LIKED BEST WERE THE STATUES OF FAMOUS NEBRASKANS.
Bess Streeter Aldrich, author; Bright Eyes Tibbles, fighter for native American rights; Mari Sandoz, author, and Standing Bear, who helped make the law declaring Native Americans had Rights under Federal Law. There were also statues of "Buffalo Bill" Cody, Chief Red Cloud, and Willa Cather whom Grandma said were also Famous. (Johanna had never heard of any of them so she took Grandma's word for it. She wondered why Mr. Cody was called "Buffalo Bill" if his name was really "William." That was funny.)
THE OTHER THING JOHANNA LIKED WAS THE GARDEN MOSAIC. GRANDMA SAID IT LOOKED LIKE A CROP CIRCLE, WHATEVER THAT IS. IT HAD BENCHES SO PEOPLE COULD SIT OUTSIDE AND EAT THEIR LUNCHES. IN SUMMER, THAT IS.
IN THE STATE LIBRARY, THERE WAS A PHOTO OF SOME PEREGRINE FALSON CHICKS NAMED AFTER FAMOUS NEBRASKANS, AND NEBRASKA CONFEDERATE MONEY, AND A TRANSCRIPT OF THE LINCOLN ASSASSINATION INVESTIGATION. THEY WOULDN'T LET JOHANNA CHECK OUT ANY BOOKS, THOUGH.
THERE WERE LOTS AND LOTS OF STEPS TO CLIMB, BECAUSE THE CAPITOL IS REALLY HIGH. WHEN GRANDMA AND JOHANNA REACHED THE SEVENTH FLOOR, GRANDMA CRIED, "TIME OUT!" SO THEY DIDN'T GO ANY HIGHER. BY THAT TIME, IT WAS GETTING READY TO SNOW, SO THEY DECIDED TO WALK HOME. GRANDMA DIDN'T WANT TO GET SNOWED IN WHILE THE UNICAMERAL WASN'T IN SESSION.
SO THEY WALKED HOME AND HAD HOT CHOCOLATE.
Sounds like Grandma and Joanna had an interesting time. I had forgotten how many of those famous folks were from Nebraska.
I try not to walk outside when it'd that cold. Brave Grandma and lucky Joanna!
Great blog i had fun at the capitol building!
I am always amazed at the mosaics in the capitol building as they must have taken a very very long time to make!
Interesting Nebraska history lessons. I've never toured that part of the country, so thanks for sharing it with me. I loved the pics and your energetic grandma is an inspiration.
Thanks for taking us along on your visit to the Nebraska Capitol. This little jaunt was exactly like something Scarlet would do with her granddaughter.
Great pics Joanna!!!
What a great way to spend time with your grand daughter. I'm sure the memories of your trip together will last a lifetime:)
Have a great day!
Tamara
What an awesome trip. I hope to visit Nebraska this fall.
My DH & I love visiting national landmarks. Every time we watch Bones we say we want to head back to D.C. There is just so much to see. I'd love to visit Philly too. Having a cheese steak for lunch would not be a bad thing. Yum.
This is so adorable, Toni! You're so lucky you get to spend time like that with your granddaughter. My granddaughters are in Seattle, far away from "Mimi"...
Very interesting post, Toni. I learned some things too.
Toni,
Thanks for sharing your excursion to to Washington with your granddaughter. It was a fun and interesting blog with great pictures.
You look like royalty... Hope you had a great day!