Despite the norm for most higher education institutions, the university I attend to is still in school until June (Thanks DePaul) and I needed to give myself a quick trip away from all the Midterm blues. Conveniently enough my mother was craving some change of scenery as well. A perfect compromise to both our issues was a quick Mother's Day road trip. However, at first we were not sure where we should go. Living here in the Midwest does not give us many options, especially since most Midwesterners' first choice of destination is Chicago. But that does not discourage me. Goodness no. To me, any city is worth exploring, making it a challenge because every city has its own hidden gems. And what better city to explore than the city of the Great Plains: Omaha, Nebraska.

Although breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but brunch is the most fun meal of the day.  And in my opinion, besides the attractions a city provides, local food gives a city its identity. I am a huge foodie. I enjoy taking my time exploring the menu and tickle my taste buds. A common ground my mother and I share is our love for Ma and Pop's restaurants. It would have been so easy to go to an IHOP or a Denny's for brunch but that's a menu I would have known like the back my hand. There's no exploration behind that. Despite the fact that we were out for a traditional American breakfast and there is not much of a surprise to the menu at all, this Ma and Pop's provided their little Omaha twist to the expected. 

Petrow's Restaurant finds itself unique to most breakfast spots because they serve dessert early with their meals. Personally, I am not much for having a sweet tooth but the moment I saw "Nebraska's Best Waffle Breakfast" on the menu, I knew I had to try it. I needed to see for myself why it was considered "Nebraska's Best".  A homemade waffle topped with black walnut ice cream and crumbles of walnuts. Smothered with maple syrup, this waffle fuses your palate with the warmth of the waffle along with an immediate rush of the cold ice cream. As mentioned before I am not one for having a sweet tooth, but trying "Nebraska's Best Waffle Breakfast" was worth having dessert early for brunch. 

A summer time spectacle of Omaha, Heartland of America Park and Fountain attracts visitors with its 320 ft. fountain and watering hole. Home to many ducks and geese, this park is open to all sorts of family activities: picnicking, fowl feeding, and Frisbee throwing (just to name what I saw). An activity famously known by many visitors and locals partake is the gondola rides. The gondola chauffeurs around the lake romantically, touring all throughout the park. During the summertime many local musicians hosts concerts to the public, booths are up for farmer market to sell fresh produce, and fireworks shoot across the nighttime skies -- Making this a spot worthy to revisit again this summer on your road trip.

My mother and I walked along the water side, enjoying the pleasant weather and explored all the Lewis and Clark tidbits that were planted throughout the park. My mother is a pioneer enthusiast: she absolutely adore the simple American life back in 1800s with all the buffalo, Indians, horses --  anything that resembles 'Little House on the Prairie'. So any opportunity we get to see Lewis And Clark Landings, such as the one in the Heartland of America Park and Fountain has, definitely made her very happy. Needless to say, this park is a must visit when in Omaha, especially in the summer time. Whether you are an American Pioneer History Buff like my mother, or like to enjoy a great space, keep Heartland of America Park and Fountain in mind if you're ever in Omaha. 

Out of all the places I have visited in Omaha, the best tourist spot that is 100% a must visit is the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge. Named after a Nebraska senator, this bridge is not like any other that  takes you to and from Points A to B. This bridge hosts the borderline between Nebraska and Iowa. Located right next to the National Park Service of the Midwest Region's building, this bridge it suspends over the Missouri River into Council Bluffs, Iowa. This 3,000 foot long cable bridge opened its steps to the public in 2008, a newer landmark to Omaha's architecture. Although anyone can stand in two states in one time at any particular borderline, being suspended over a water borderline is quite unique. 

This was a great opportunity for me to be able to stand in two states at one time... and also conquer my fear of going over bridges. However way I decided to go about it, it was a nice experience to look over how far down the Missouri River goes and the animal life that surrounds Omaha. But while I am speaking my truth, the moment after my mother and I took our photo together, I had to immediately get off because of my fear of bridges was getting to the best of me. But don't let my personal phobia sway your thoughts of visiting this hot spot. Having the opportunity to be in two states at one time still blows my mind. My next goal is to be in four states at the same time, one upping this moment on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.