images from omaha

This past weekend in Omaha was a whirlwind... as are all of our trips to Omaha.
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After thirteen years of monthly trips to Offutt, this was actually Ed's last *official* weekend. In 2009, he will be taking on a position at Lackland that will require him to be there for one or two blocks of time rather than a weekend each month. This will make the family calendar much easier to manage, especially since he is back in school.
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Saturday was spent knocking around the Old Market with childhood friend, Abbie. We met for lunch, poked our heads into a few of the little shops in the area, and then spent several hours at the Durham Museum. This is a beautiful structure constructed in the deco style... train station turned museum, and nicely done.
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The traveling collection on display were a set of documents and recordings from the National Archives. The exhibit was titled "Eyewitness" - and was eyewitness accounts in U.S. History... from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Lady Bird Johnson, John Boston, Jimmy Carter and Laura Ingalls Wilder - just to name a few. Sobering and inspiring.
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Here are just a couple of images from the grand hall... an ornate chandelier...
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...and a shot of the very ornate ceiling...
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A far cry from the bustling hub of transportation activity the station must have been in its heyday, caterers and florists were preparing the hall for a wedding dinner and reception for 400 guests that evening. I'm just glad that tab wasn't mine.