Library can start you on trip of a lifetime—February 8, 2008
I had an aunt and uncle who visited all 50 state capitals as a life goal and I thought they were pretty cool to have that kind of long range travel plans. Whether you want to plan one trip or set a lifetime goal for traveling, the Hastings Public Library has resources that will help you find interesting places to visit.
If gas prices or short vacation time have you looking close to home, try “Off the Beaten Path: Nebraska” by Hannah McNally. Here are all kinds of interesting places to visit and things to do right around the corner. Whether you want to stay in a geodesic dome bed and breakfast near Valentine, climb a lighthouse for a view of a river valley or see Nebraska’s only Native American petroglyphs, this little volume will truly lead you off the beaten path to fun.
Wanting to see all 50 state capitol buildings must not be that unusual because Susan Thrane and Tom Patterson have written a whole book called “State Houses: America’s 50 State Capitol Buildings.” The book is full of beautiful pictures and historical tidbits but also identifies some of the treasured art that is housed in the capitol buildings. It would be a good background for a trip or might even substitute for those not inclined to travel.
Keeping with the governmental theme, Gary Ferris’s book “Presidential Places: A Guide to the Historic Sites of U.S. Presidents” could take you across the country learning about former presidents. This title is organized by president, but it includes a geographic index so you can check and see if there is a bit of presidential history wherever you might be visiting.
While working on this article, I spotted the book “Colorado Farmers’ Market Cookbook: Delicious Recipes & Tips Fresh from Colorado Farmers’ Markets & Chefs” by Melissa Craven. This inspired an idea – why not plan a summer vacation based on visiting farmers’ markets? While traveling to and from Colorado might get a bit expensive and time consuming, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture maintains a list of Nebraska farmers’ markets on their website. Just go to www.agr.state.ne.us and search for farmers markets. What a great way to visit different towns across the state and enjoy the diversity of local products.
Start your travels with information from the Hastings Public Library.
