We packed up the car in Okoboji this morning. Then Marina and I went for a bike ride and we all went for a swim. We said our goodbyes and left before lunch.
The ride through western Iowa and into Nebraska was pretty easy though it was hot. We met Suzanne at the zoo, at her suggestion, at 4pm and spent some time at the indoor, air-conditioned exhibits, mainly the aquarium and the jungle house. When we got back to the car, the temperature gauge said that it was 113, a new high for us! We came back to the house, had a swim in the community pool and a lovely shabbos dinner. We’re all tired, go figure, but have a beautiful place to stay for a night.
I think that we’re almost done with the heat, though, and perhaps through the worst of it after tonight.
I defer to the Freedmans for Nebraska music, but I’ll make a few modest suggestions. We’ll have to start with Big Joe Williams. Bright Eyes is supposed to be great, but despite efforts, I never got really into them (him?). This song is pretty good. I hear that Rilo Kiley spent some time in Omaha.
Wikipedia says that the Chevrons were an Omaha band. Their lead singer was Terry Cashman. Cashman later was half of a duo who made this record which my parents owned when I was a kid. I loved that record, especially this song. My parents will tell you that I used to cry when listening to it. In my defense, I was a small child. Full disclosure: I still get a little weepy. But I’m very embarrassed about that. Baseball lovers of course know Cashman for this novelty song which has nothing at all to do with Nebraska (or the College World Series).
July 7th, 2012 at 1:30 pm what a hot trip! glad you are all feeling better. we’ve has soaking rains and cool temps, but paris is wonderful. dorsai. xoxoxo
July 7th, 2012 at 4:59 pm Preston Love’s Omaha BarBQ is the greatest Nebraskan record ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6jmI7mxXTg Also, Wynonie Harris was from Omaha: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBr_ulHlQoY Moby Grape definitely wasn’t from Omaha, but their song Omaha is a good one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28LNfaDMC84
July 8th, 2012 at 6:34 am Everyone should check out Howard’s first most-funky link. Thanks for all of them!