Hubby tends to have Mondays off, so we are trying to use them over the summer for quick little day trips to get passport stamps. This past Monday we were able to hit three sites and it was quite the adventure.
First up: Peru State College Library in Peru, Nebraska. Peru has a population of about 800. And apparently doesn't have street lights downtown. It is located near but not directly on the Missouri River south of Omaha. The college was the first college in Nebraska and was originally a teacher's college. Their mascot is the bobcat and we passed at least three bobcat statues on our brief walk through campus to find the library. We also saw the welcome sign in front of admissions, that would briefly welcome individual people who must have set up tours ahead of time (Welcome to Peru State, Ashley! Thanks for visiting!)
Then it was onto Indian Caves State Park, which we had briefly visited last year but didn't get to check out the cave. The cave is interesting, because it isn't actually below ground. I would love to camp at this campground at some point, but our summer weekends just keep filling up! The park is also along the Missouri, with the cave directly on it. It did not look refreshing. Hubby likes to call it the Muddy Mo. Don't try to swim in it.
On our way to our third stop, we drove through the town of Nemaha, population 142. We actually drove through it on the way to Indian Cave, but didn't stop till the way back. We stopped, because there was a sign for fresh donuts! Sadly, the Nemaha Country Market is closed on Sundays and Mondays so that the owners have more time to travel to visit their eldest daughter in Wisconsin. And no, they don't visit her every weekend if that's what your thinking. Some weekends they stock the shelves and bake the pies and donuts. How do I know all this, it was closed when we were in town! Because there was a sign on the door letting us know about everything! I can't wait to go back when they are open and try the donuts!
Our last stop was in Filley, population 130. Their tavern and stone barn were on the list. Hubby made a joke about them being out of beer before we started heading in that direction. He cursed us, because both of their kegs were tapped. One of their kegs was a local Nebraska beer, which was pretty cool. They also had offsale, so we were able to get a beer and sit for a bit. The kitchen was closed on Mondays, but the bartender did offer to make us a pizza. We had called ahead and knew the kitchen was closed so we had other dinner plans so we didn't take her up on the pizza. It was your typical small town bar, lots of regulars getting the same beer every time they come in, and a truely diner-esque menu. They do have buffets on Friday nights that looked kind of fun. Another thing to add to our list of adventures! After we finished our beers, we headed off to check out the Stone Barn which was built in 88 days by Mr. Filley. I'm serious, they named the town after him. The barn is only open once a year in October for a harvest festival, but we were able to look around. Hubby channeled my mother once again and peeked his head in some windows, but you could only see some dusty stacks of wood. We did get quite the Nebraska sunset, so I was happy.
And then we looped back through Beatrice and got dinner, and finally headed home to Lincoln. Can't wait for our next day trip!
This wasn't quite the summer of camping I was hoping it would be, but we did make it out a third time at the end of July. We went to Indian Cave State Park kind of on a whim and it turned out to be their Christmas in July weekend, complete with a site decorating contest and "How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the amphitheater. The bugs ate me alive at the amphitheater, so sadly we didn't stay for the whole thing. Had to get in a good camp fire and check out the lights at night though!
I know, a brewery. And donuts. Crazy! We went out recently for our dating anniversary because why not celebrate everything? Tried out the new tap room for a local brewery and it was very nice. Hubby was making me dinner, so we just got an appetizer. And a dessert of course! 
The donut holes were super fresh, very warm and coated in cinnamon and sugar. They seemed to be more whole wheat than a standard raised donut and oaty. The dipping sauce was too much coffee, not enough chocolate for me. I'd give them 2/5. The onion rings were definitely worth going back for, but probably not the donuts.
We went to Oceans of Fun recently, in Kansas City and were debatig going to the Donut Lounge, which is a bar/donut place as the name suggests. Hubby has been, I have not. However, coming from a water park we probably weren't dressed appropriately for a fancy donut bar. We drove by this place on the way to a bbq place for dinner and I said no way was it open on a Sunday night at 8pm. But the open sign was on and visable from the street! (Thank you businesses who have well lit "Open" signs so we don't have to drive into the parking lot only to be disappointed). Then I figured they wouldn't have anything left on a Sunday night at 8pm. But I was dead wrong and it was such a wonderful surprise walking in and seeing two full cases!
They didn't have maple though, we were told it was too expensive so I'm sure if they did have it, it would be made with real maple syrup. Instead I got a cookies and cream, which is becoming one of my new favorites. It was a raised donut with chocolate frosting and cookies crumbled on top. It was delicious and I cannot wait to go to Kansas City again. 4.5/5
Hubby had a chocolate frosted cake donut with sprinkles. For how much I enjoy peanuts, I have never really cared for peanut sprinkled on a donut. Maybe 2/5. I feel bad rating it poorly simply because I don't like it.
I apparently did not have a donut review for you guys last week, so this week you get two! This was another stop on our passport adventure that wasn't actually on the passport. My aunt said she remembered stopping there as soon as we walked in the door. Apparently the woman who runs it does it all, orders and cooking and ringing people up! Crazy!
We were there a little late in the morning for the best selection, but there was a maple something left so I had to check it out. I would say it was ok, not super mapley. The donut part was a little dry, I would give it a 3/5 total.
