Today was another long drive. From Omaha to Alliance, Nebraska. Ted and Susan went to church in the morning and they didn't get on the road until about 11 in the morning. Still they made good time and had lunch at a truck stop then drove to Broken Bow where they got ice cream and kept on driving. They probably could have gotten even closer to home, but everyone was tired of driving, so they stopped in Alliance at a small campground. They saw some dark clouds, but the thunderstorms went to the north of the campground in the evening. Still there was some thunder and lightening, and storms are forecast to last most of the night, so one will probably bring some rain.

There were some really pretty flowers at the campground. Edward likes irises! Edward is a bear for all kinds of weather, so a little thunder storm isn't a problem for him.

Ted said that Edward and the camper were going to Omaha, but actually the campground was in a small town west of Omaha called Gretna. The camper was parked in a small space right next to a camp cabin. Edward could hear the children on the deck right outside of the camper, but it didn't bother Edward. Ted and Susan were gone to meetings after they set up the camper and didn't come back until late at night. Then, on Saturday, they were gone again - all day - from early in the morning till after dark at night! But on Sunday, when they got up they got the camper ready and the whole gang, Pickup, Edward, and camper headed into Omaha. They parked right next to Countryside Community Church, with is a big and beautiful new church building right next to an Islamic Center and a Jewish Synagogue - all thee share what is called the trip-faith initiative. They are becoming good friends, even though they have different religions. It is a very special place with very special people.

Ted didn't get this entry in Edward's journal published until Sunday, and guess what? The picture is upside down again. When he flips it in the web program it still published upside down online. What a strange thing! Maybe he can do better with the next journal entry.

Here is a mystery for you: Edward is upside down and backwards in this picture. Edward can't figure out why he is this way. He has turned the picture every which way. It works for the other pictures in this post, but he can't make this one appear right side up! Hmm. . .

Finally, finally, finally! It has been a looooooooooong winter! And Edward has had spring fever forever. But today, The camper was finally loaded up and by about 9:30 in the morning they pulled out of the driveway. To Edward's surprise, they headed south. First stop was Alliance, Nebraska, where they turned East. The road was bumpy. Ted has a way of finding roads that have lots of bumps, but Edward is used to it and he was so glad to just be on the road. He was wondering where they were going. In the middle of the afternoon they stopped in Broken Bow. Now that is a strange name for a town. It was probably a name given it by the Pawnee people, who spoke a different language. Then the name was translated into English and the town is known as Broken Bow. From there they turned a bit south east and finally stoped at Mormon Island State Recreation Area.

Mormon Island isn't an island, but there are three lakes right next to each other. For that matter, Grand Island isn't an Island, either. Grand Island gets its name from a big island in the river that was named by French fur traders in the late 19th century. Mormon Island was the place where Mormon immigrants stopped to spend the winter on their trek from Missouri to Utah. Ahead was a long trip across Nebraska and Wyoming - hot places in the summertime, so they wanted to start in the spring and get as far as possible. The immigrants walked and had ox carts. Some of them had carts that were pulled by persons. It was a long trip in those days.

Edward saw a big Pelican on one of the lakes and found some feathers in the campground. It felt good to get out and look around. Edward hasn't spent much time in Nebraska, so this is a new place for him to explore. The plan is to go to Omaha tomorrow and stay for two nights in a campground there. Then, on Sunday, one more night somewhere in Nebraska, but we don't know where, yet. Stay tuned for more adventures. This summer promises to be a wonderful time with many adventures.