Moving on to Omaha, Nebraska!
Our drive to Omaha came with an unexpected adventure—a flat tire on I-29, about 40 minutes north of the city.
We had to pull out the owner’s manual to figure out where the jack was located and find the proper jack points on the vehicle. Fortunately, my baby brother had given me an impact wrench for my 72nd birthday. It was one of the gifts he gave me before he passed, and on this particular day, that gift became even more meaningful.
Unfortunately, after jacking up the vehicle, we discovered the jack wouldn’t lift it high enough to put the spare tire on. Then, to make matters worse, the jack wouldn’t go back down! At that point, we definitely needed some help.
We called AAA, and about an hour after our initial call, they informed us that assistance was projected to arrive in approximately another 2½ hours.
While we waited, something happened that really stood out to us. A woman actually stopped along the interstate to see if we needed help. Yes, a woman stopped on the interstate to offer assistance! She was also on the phone with someone while checking on us, so she was being safety-conscious. Although there wasn’t much she could do, we certainly appreciated her kindness and willingness to stop.
Later, another motorist stopped. He pulled out his jack, found another jack point, and we were finally able to get the vehicle high enough for me to put the spare tire on. I removed my jack, packed everything up, and we were finally back on the road to Omaha—where, thankfully, dinner was waiting!
Our downtown hotel was very nice. It was our first time staying at a Marriott Autograph Collection property, and we enjoyed it—although Yvonne’s oatmeal the next morning was definitely on the expensive side! 😂
James’s cousin’s in-laws live in Omaha, and we had dinner with them that evening. The meal included fresh green beans with potatoes, fresh corn, fresh cabbage, cornbread, and brisket for me. It was a wonderful home-cooked dinner accompanied by even better conversation.
We had met our hosts during a previous trip through Omaha, and it was great seeing them again. They are retired and such a cute couple. Phillip loves model trains and gives presentations about the Tuskegee Airmen, which is especially meaningful because his father was associated with the Airmen. Interestingly enough, despite all that aviation history, Phillip refuses to fly! 😂
Day 22 – An Unexpected Extra Day in Omaha
We got up early to have the tire repaired and replace the damaged jack.
Of course, as luck would have it, the tire couldn’t be repaired. And you know how these things go—one bad tire somehow turns into a new set of tires! 😂
That unexpected expense and repair meant spending an additional day in Omaha. It wasn’t part of the original itinerary, but road trips have a way of creating their own schedules.
Day 23 – Omaha to Missouri
We left Omaha in the rain, but fortunately, it stopped after about an hour of driving.
Along the way, we had lunch at a place called Cafe Jerusalem, where we enjoyed Middle Eastern cuisine before continuing our journey.
We eventually made our way to Columbia, Missouri, where we spent the night before hitting the road again the next morning.
Day 24 – On to Mammoth Cave, Kentucky!
We left Missouri and continued east, eventually arriving at Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky.
Another national park added to our Summer 2026 adventure!
Day 25 – Mammoth Cave and a History Worth Knowing
Today, we took a guided tour into Mammoth Cave. While the cave itself was impressive, one of the most interesting and meaningful parts of the tour was learning about the important roles enslaved African Americans played throughout the early history and development of the cave.
Enslaved workers were instrumental during several periods of Mammoth Cave’s history. During the War of 1812 era, they worked in the cave producing saltpeter, an essential ingredient used in making gunpowder.
Later, some became highly knowledgeable cave guides and explorers. Their knowledge of the cave system was remarkable, and they helped discover and navigate previously unexplored passages.
If you’re interested in this history, look up the stories of Stephen Bishop, Mat Bransford, Nick Bransford, and Alfred Croghan. Their stories are an important part of Mammoth Cave’s history.
For many years, Mammoth Cave was privately owned and operated as a tourist attraction. After saltpeter production ended, tourism became an important part of the cave’s story. In some cases, generations of the same families worked as guides, passing their knowledge of the cave from one generation to another.
Mammoth Cave officially became a national park in 1941. Today, the park encompasses more than 50,000 acres and protects the world’s longest known cave system, with hundreds of miles of surveyed passages.
It was a fascinating experience and another opportunity to learn a part of American history that many people may never have heard about.
One observation that also stood out to us during our visit: throughout the experience, we saw only two other tourists of color.
This journey continues to be about so much more than simply seeing beautiful places. It’s about the people we meet, the unexpected challenges along the way, and discovering pieces of history that deserve to be remembered and shared.
On to the next adventure! 🚙🇺🇸
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