Update from the Road: Day 1

I'm in Nebraska. Me and Chad left for California yesterday and we're currently hanging out at the Super 8 in Grand Island. Although Grand Island is actually devoid of islands, it is anything but devoid of hotels. This town is endures solely because it is the only place a person can stop when they decide they just can't press on all the way to Kearney. Like me.

Most people dream of roadtripping across the US, at least, that's what the radio would like us to believe. But doing so means traveling through places like Iowa and Nebraska. These states have stretched on for hundreds of miles. It took me a whole day to get this far, and according to the map, I've got almost an entire whole day to go before I make it to Denver. At least there's some interesting scenery in Denver. They've got mountains. And slums. And stadiums. And trees.

The highlights of the trip through Iowa included stopping at the most Mexican of all Iowa stops: Taco Tico. Here Chad and I enjoyed the enchilada platter, tostado supreme, and smothered sancho all for under $10. In addition, we admired a monarch butterfly and toured a rest stop.

Nebraska has given Iowa a serious run for the money. We stopped in the capital of Nebraska -- Lincoln -- for some sightseeing by car. Here you see the Nebraska State Capitol, the state's second tallest building at a whopping 398 feet. Downtown Lincoln did not disappoint; we saw a massive shrine to the state's gods, the Cornhuskers, as well as an incredible 7 screen theater, several bars, and a one-way street. Later, we sampled one of Nebraska's most beloved institutions: Skeeter Barnes' BBQ.