Runza- Fremont Nebraska

When I spent that January in Fremont many years ago, hanging out at the college in town, I had to walk to the nearby Runza as the college's food service was closed my last 2 nights in town.  I think Runza is a really unique small chain in the area, and I like their food!

We stopped by that same Runza in 2012 and again on this trip to town.

Enjoying a meal at Runza is a real treat!

Midland Lutheran College- Fremont Nebraska

I actually thought I had mentioned this before somewhere on the blog....  but I checked, and I don't think I ever did.

YEARS ago (I won't say exactly how many) while proudly attending Berea College here in Kentucky, I actually "swapped" out with this college, at the time called Midland Lutheran College, in Fremont Nebraska.

Back then, both colleges had what we called "short term".  Everyone took a few days off for Christmas break, ending the first semester.  Then, in January, you started one very focused class taking only that one class through January.  Second semester then started in February.  AND, if you wanted to, you could ask another school with short term if you could go there for January.

I thought that sounded fun so I called a few schools about swapping out.  Unknowingly, I called an all girls school!  They actually were willing to work with me (still, it was more of a complicated situation than I wanted to get in to).  I called several other schools too.  After talking to the different institutions, Midland College was very agreeable and easy to work with.....  I decided to go there.  Plus, they were offering a really interesting short term class.  I bought a plane ticket to Nebraska.

Midland kindly sent a van out to pick me up at the small Omaha airport (I actually saw a friend/fellow Berea student at the airport- she was from Nebraska and was flying back to Kentucky!).

Anyway, I had a very nice time in Nebraska.  I was there for a month and read a lot.  I was also really able to focus on the class, which was enjoyable.

It was a calm campus.  I do remember going one night to see a juggler who was brought in for a small show.  There weren't many other students there, but the juggler challenged the audience.  He said he could juggle any 3 items.  Well, a security guy gave him his baton.  Someone else literally had a dead FISH!  Another person had a bowling ball!!!!  The juggler was able to juggle the three items, but barely.

The other students there were all pleasant.  It was, to me coming from Berea (where kids LOVE to debate everything) a very relaxed campus.  The MLC students all seemed to really get along.  It was sweet and I enjoyed this.

AND, my future wife (who I was not dating yet at this time) was at Berea.  We both admitted that we missed each other a lot while I was in Fremont.  We started dating soon after I got back to Kentucky, and we are now married.

So, I spent a nice (yet cold and snowy) January in Fremont Nebraska on the Campus of Midland College.  That month would have a big influence on the rest of my life.

We stopped by when we drove through in 2012.  I enjoyed stopping by again on this visit to once again see the college and the town.  It was nice walking around the campus again.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site- Delta-01 Launch Facility- South Dakota

We left Rapid City, sadly.  We really enjoyed our time there, and have developed a certain love for the area, and the town.  It was a real joy getting to stay at the wonderful old Hotel Alex Johnson for a second time.

Our first stop, a little over an hour from Rapid City, was the Minute Man Missile National Historic Site.  We ended up getting there about 50 minutes early.  You get off the interstate then drive down a gravel road to get there.  We drove around the area a little.  There is a farm, and a red car that has obviously been used for target practice in a field.

We waited by the gate at the parking area, and a pit bull came up.  He actually looked very sweet, and I wanted to get out and play with him, but decided to be cautious and stay in the car.

It was interesting being here for a little while on this morning.  A ranger finally came and unlocked the gate, You actually walk through a couple of fence gates and then get to a fenced in looking house.

The whole thing had a bit of an apocalyptic sci fi movie feel.  Weird and cool.  A young Ranger named Erin came and unlocked the fence to let us and the 2 other couples in.

Our tour stared around 9, and lasted 45 minutes.  It was very interesting.  The site was declassified in 1993, though it was generally known about, especially by protesters (you can still buy a book from them that tells where all of the nuclear launch sites are- Erin joked that you could buy it in the gift shop).

 It was well guarded while open, and as far as Erin knew, no one really tried to get in.  Food was kept locked too, in case someone was thinking about poisoning it.

In 1993, there was an agreement signed with Russia, and this site, and another in Russia, was deactivated.  The Russian one is now in a forest in the Ukraine.  She said it is hard to get there.  She has had the people in Russia who had the same job (waiting in a bunker for word that they would have to turn the key) tour this facility.  Two people would wait for the warning, which thankfully never came. 

BUT, while it was active, a couple of guys would be stationed in the bunker area waiting for the coded call to come.  If they ever got that call- each would have to turn a key at the same time.  The two ignition slots were placed far enough apart that one man could not turn them both.

Our informative guide told us that actually, two keys being turned at one facility really did nothing on its own....  BUT if two others in a similar bunker site turned their keys too.....  well THAT would literally start a nuclear conflict.

It was exciting taking the elevator down the 31 feet to the bunker area.  Tour groups are limited to 6 people, and we did order our tickets early.  This was a site and tour that has been on my list for some time, and I am glad that I was finally able to visit.

Firehouse, Rapid City, South Dakota

When we stayed in Rapid City seven years (almost to the day) earlier, we had several great meals at the Firehouse.  We were excited about visiting again!

Set in an old firestation, this seems to me to be the locals favorite.  The food is great, service is on, and its just a nice environment.

AND, one of the friendly staff at the Alex Johnson gave us some nice coupons that came in handy!

One thing I remembered from our last visit was the beer cheese soup!  It was just as good as I remembered!

We had some tasty appetizers too!

My wife is on a big salad kick and she was very happy with her generous portions salads.

They have a VERY cute gift shop next door too (attached to a seperate area that caters to fans of wine).  We had to pick up some shirts...  for us and for friends.

See the fireman's helmet on the dog statue at the front door?  They give those out for free to kids.  AND to at least one adult who asked nicely.

Mitzi's Books, Rapid City, South Dakota

Oh man, are book lovers in Rapid City lucky!

We found the VERY cozy Mitzi's Books in town and really were impressed.  I have never seen a book store do so much with their space!

It is kinda small, but there is an upstairs area with seats.  I would love to come here on a cold, snowy day and just read.  I am sure many locals do just that!

They had a nice local interest section, childrens books, and other items.

Berea KY during the Coronavirus Shut Down

You know I have talked AT LENGTH about how much I love Berea Kentucky.  It is easily one of my favorite places around.  I went to college there, met my wife there, and I just love going there whenever I can.  Its a nice little town.

So, with all of the restrictions going on right now, we thought it might be nice to go to Berea and just walk around.

The college seems to stay the same a lot, but there is also a lot of change too.  Buildings are getting remodeled and rebuilt....  BUT, the overall vibe of the campus never changes.

During my time at Berea, I lived in three different men's dorms- Blue Ridge, Bingham and Danforth.  Blue Ridge was a freshmen dorm when I was there.  It was pretty much the dorm farthest away from all of the class buildings.  It was kind of the one dorm no one wanted to live in.  I have heard rumors, for years, that it was going to be taken down at some point.  Well, over the last several years, Blue Ridge has remained standing.  The other two dorms I lived in have been totally redone.  Technically they are still there, but they are not the same places I once lived in.


My wife spent most of her college years in Kettering Residence Hall.  Well....  see the photo of the empty area with the crane in the background?  Well, that is where Kettering used to be.  It was kind of sad seeing this.

The campus was dead.  All of the students were sent home, I think in March, so there weren't a lot of people around.  The landscape looked great though ,we were glad to see things are still being kept up.

We did see a lot of signs posted in campus buildings and at local businesses showing that places were closed for now.  The local church had a large sign out front talking about their Sunday services being online.

Oh, we did see some cool campus bikes around!  Not sure what the whole story is on that, but we saw a lot of these blue bikes everywhere!  I know when I was going to Berea, bikes got stolen a lot.  Hopefully these bikes are sticking around.

We did notice something else that was sad.  Warren A. May's dulcimer shop is gone!  That place had been there forever, and it was just sad seeing the store vacant!  There was a sign that Warren will still be making and selling his dulcimers online.

We were glad to see a sign up that said Papaleno's Pizza was doing carry out.  If you live in Lexington, or if you have never been to Berea, you should visit, because its a great town.  BUT, coming down to just get some pizza at Papaleno's justifies a trip.

I know Robie Books is closed right now, but they are doing some mail order.  They are great people, I am sure if you are looking for something special you can call or email them still.  I am looking forward to the day that I can go back in and browse though.  I always have great finds there.

Oh, as we drove to Berea, we did stop by one of my all time favorite coffee shops- Richmond's Purdy's.  Purdy's has great coffee, and the place is owned and ran by great people.  Their drive through at their newer location was open, so I got a great cup to sip on as we walked around Berea!