Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino, Custom Bluffs, IA (Dry Camp Night) (Jun 30)
So as we are continuing our trip to Mt. Rushmore, we left Lake Paradise on Friday since a family apparently had reserved the area we were camping in. Instead of moving, we decided to check out on Friday and drive about 4 hours and dry camp at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs Casino by Caesars. https://www.caesars.com/horseshoe-council-bluffs We have been able to dry camp many times for free in Casino parking lots so this was another one that provided huge parking lots to stay the night. They did have an RV park if you wanted full hook-ups but we passed.
While we were in the area, we began having lunch at the Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill. http://www.themattomaha.com/
“Originally constructed in 1883, this beautiful brick building was the Stabrie Grocery Store. … The surrounding area experienced many changes as the Union Pacific Railroad Shops and Omaha Smelting Works continued to grow and railroad lines occupied much of the land. …then the building again changed hands in 1945 and became the Central Mattress Company where mattresses were built, sold and shipped through the 1990’s.” The building has been placed on the National Registry of Historical Places.
Inside the building is very raw with open ceilings. On the below picture you can see the lasting painting of Flour sign on the back wall. The food was great and we got to take our drinks with us in their serving glasses.
From there we went to the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge which is 3000 feet long and 15 feet wide. http://omaha.net/places/bob-kerrey-pedestrian-bridge “The Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, also known as the Footbridge, is a walking bridge connecting Council Bluffs, IA to Omaha’s Riverfront, just north of Downtown. The bridge opened on September 28, 2008, and is named after the Nebraska Senator who secured funding for the project, Senator Bob Kerrey. The Bob Kerrey Footbridge is an s-curved cable-stayed bridge with a striking, modern design, perfect for a midday stroll or refreshing night time walk.”
Crossing over the bridge you also cross over the state lines of Nebraska and Iowa. Here we are doing the tourist thing and kissing as we each were in another state.
On the Nebraska side of the bridge is also the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters. It was interesting looking at the map and realizing that we may be passing in their paths as we travel.
Nearby was the Monument to Labor which was amazing in size as well as the presentation. http://www.publicartomaha.org/art/info/83/Monument+to+Labor
“This monument is a salute to the dedication and hard work of all those who built the city of Omaha. It is the second largest labor monument in the United States.”
First the impressive statutes.
The above shows the markings of the flood water height in 2011 and 1952.
Lorraine is trying to reach one of the markings but the below pictures show it better.
We also visited the Heartland of America Park. Lewis and Clark reportedly discovered conspicuous earthen mounds when they explored the location in 1804.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heartland_of_America_Park.
Here is the 300 foot computerized water jet.
Then memorials through the park.
