North 40 Chophouse - North Platte                                    2025 

 

The bull greets you as you enter and it is very nearly life-sized.  The tables are set with leather place mats.

This is the lobster tank.  Looks like only one but there are more of both sides.  It's a distinctive water feature with special lighting.

 If you'd like a bottle of wine, I'm sure they have one that will fit your taste.  

There are several gas-fueled fire features.  Lanterns are placed inside and outside.  These are in the bar area and are several feet high.  The fire swirls in a cyclone, quite interesting to watch.  It's a very attractive room and there were a lot of customers enjoying themselves here.

 

I don't eat dessert very often but I do make an exception for creme brule.  Very few restaurants serve it and almost everyone makes it the same way but this one is the most unique recipe I've ever had.  Boy, was it tasty!

Sen. George Norris State Historic Site - McCook     2025 

  

This is a most fascinating place to visit.  It seems quite modest for the magnitude of who George Norris was.  He is probably most known for his time as a U. S. Representative and Senator.  Unknown to me is that he was a judge before his political career.  This house is sort of a biography of who he was and what his ideals were.  Talk to Harold, he is remarkably well-versed on George Norris.  

 Notice the rugs.  They are all over and in excellent shape for being a hundred years old.  They are obviously not what you find today in a discount store.

 

FDR stayed in this room.  The two chairs were actually used by the Secret Service during his stay.

This is a copy of the Rural Electrification Act and the actual pens used in it's signing by Franklin D Roosevelt.

 

Sen. Norris' wife, Ellie, was a seamstress.  If you stop in, take a look at the fine stitching in the many things she sewed.  I know nothing about sewing but to my untrained eye, I can't see how anyone can produce the fine detailed work she did.  Yet, there it is on display.

 This is a photo of the 58th Congress, 1903 - 1905.

 

Embers Bakery & Cafe - McCook                                    2025 

Embers is a bakery that knows how to make Crispies.  It's surprising to me how many bakeries make them but they are NOT crispy.  This place ranks up there with the Clarkson Bakery making only two places that I know of, who make the best Crispies.  Vicki and Sandy both had other things but we all liked our respective bakery quite well.  

Now the bad news, somehow all the other photos I took are gone.   I took several, even one of my Crispie but I have none except this one.  Very frustrating.  Take my word for it, stop in and order something to eat.  It really is very good.

Mint 217 - McCook                                                                    2025 

 

This is a nicely designed store for women's clothes.  It's not crowded and hard to shop because of a massive selection.

It has an appropriate number of choices that is easy to find what you want.  Kind of like a restaurant that has a smaller menu.   

Whatever you are trying to find, just ask Lauren, the owner.  She'll help you get the right thing.  No matter what, you will feel welcome when you visit the store because kindness is one of Lauren's gifts.

 

The Frontier Frau - Cozad                                                    2025 

It's a new restaurant in Cozad modeled after a German beer hall.  Interesting concept for a small town in Nebraska.  I think they pulled it off very nicely in appearance.  Then again, I've never been to an actual German beer hall in Germany, so I'm only basing my ideas on movies.  

Anyway, talk to Bryce and you'll enjoy her company as you learn about this place.  She is a perfect hostess and server and all-around guide to this German establishment.

 

While you're here, take a look in the hallway next to the bar.  There are maps for you to put a pin in to identify where you're from.  As you can see, there have been visitors from Germany.

I didn't look closely enough at this wall of mugs so I don't know what it is for but it is a pretty interesting display.  There is another wall just like this on the right.

Well, what German beer hall would be complete without a beer garden.  There's even a place for the kids to play.

They do serve a bunch of different brews.  I'm not a beer drinker so I can't verify any authenticity for you.  You'll have to take Bryce's word for it.  Vicki and Sandy did try one and I thought Sandy's was pretty good.  The food was also very good.  In fact, I'm going to take Cindy there when we go out for our last Passport stops in Kearney. 

One more thing, right across the street is a state by state display of quilt patterns.  I don't know if there is such a thing an an official quilt by state but it is a neat feature wall. 

 

 

Grimm's Gardens - Nebraska City                                        2025 

  

Grimm's Gardens is a condensed version of some landscape places we've been.  However, they have just as many different kinds of plants.

Several kinds of trees.

Lots of flowers and plants.

And everything you need to make your garden and plants grow.

And fun sayings around the store, as well. 

Check with Summer when you get there.  She'll help you find whatever you want.

Calamus Outfitters - Burwell                                                2025 

Calamus Outfitters is not just an outfitter.  They also have cabins and a gift shop.  You can base your group here or come with your family.  It's a beautiful setting and they can arrange for you to go tanking or fishing.  If you are interested, you can arrange for a tour of the ranch and learn about ranching.

There are other amenities here, as well, such as a fire pit for relaxing and reliving your adventures at the end of the day.

The gift shop has a few things that will enable you to remember your stay.  This is a really attractive outdoor setting.  Bring binoculars or a telescope to enjoy the dark sky at night.