Pearl's Favorite Bar

Isn't it often when you're not overly excited about a place or event that it can unexpectedly surprise you and leave you amazed?

This is how we felt as we neared Lincoln, Nebraska. No offense intended to anyone from there or who knows it well. It could have been partly because it was our final stop in week five of a six-week road trip or simply because we didn't know much about the town beforehand.

The initial shoosh, shoosh, shoosh of sweeping was at the campsite itself. We've grown to appreciate KOA campgrounds, as they turned out to be much nicer than we anticipated when we began traveling in 2023. Some of our most cherished memories are set against the backdrop of KOA campgrounds across the country.

We are thrilled to award the KOA in Lincoln, Nebraska as the best campground we've ever visited. As I write this, I'm reminded of all the fantastic KOAs we've stayed at. One of the most memorable experiences was having hot pizza delivered right to our door in San Antonio, following a challenging night at an unnamed campground that felt like something out of Deliverance.

This KOA stood out for several reasons. We received a warm and friendly welcome, followed by a brief visit the next day, allowing us to chat about vintage VW vans. We love this, especially me more than Doug, but we both enjoy meeting fellow enthusiasts of old cars.

The campground was newly established, and while it will become even more appealing in the future as the landscaping matures, we could already appreciate the vision behind its design. The grounds featured stunning and striking A-frame buildings for both the office and some rentable cabins, blending modern elements with a style reminiscent of the past.

The lake that was strategically placed in the middle for most sites to enjoy was lovely and even had a water feature in the middle. We always love being near the water.

However, what I have to say makes us love this campground the best was..... drumroll please...... the shower!

It was by far, the best shower I have ever had both while road tripping but also on land! As you ventured through the door for said shower, my face smiled as wide as Phil from Somebody Feed Phil. It was a large, clean, no fuss room that had it all and was private for just me!

I could saunter about freely enjoying all of the amenities; brand new toilet, beautiful sink with mirrow and the shower..... had I mentioned the shower?!

It was spacious, pristine, and felt like stepping into a car wash. Under normal circumstances, this shower would have been a delightful experience. Considering that most campgrounds have showers reminiscent of those at a 6th-grade camp, you can imagine my excitement at seeing the large rainforest shower head, the wall lined with additional shower nozzles almost reaching the floor, and... there's more... a handheld nozzle! If you know me, you know I'm crazy about a handheld nozzle.

Note: Since I was in there sans my phone/camera, I have since tried to find a photo but none of them do it justice. Trust me, it was an experience! I would still be in there if it weren't for the cold winters and missing our family & friends!

Ok, our number two stoke about Lincoln, Nebraska was that we found an old car museum. It seemed like a great outing for two old car nuts that were winding down and wanted something to do without a lot of fuss.

Now, what to do with Pearl? This museum was not dog friendly and rightfully so.

I begin to google ideas for doggie day care, which is always a crap shoot. Is it truly a good time for the dogs or is it just a bunch of stinky, grumpy dogs crammed into a small space and it's not going to be a fun day for her.

Here's what I stumbled upon:

Ever wished you could just take your dog to the bar with you?

Now you can.

Off Leash, Lincoln’s first dog-friendly bar.

• Indoor/Outdoor Dog Play Area

• Full-Service Bar

• Dog Day Care

• Coffee Shop

• Bring Your Own Food

Are you kidding me? I always wished I could bring my dog to the bar (pre 1988, before I got sober) and still, when I go for fun to hang out with friends once in a blue moon.

So we booked her playdate for the next day and had our route planned to hit up

the old cars while she had her playtime, snacks, quiet time and more playtime!

I wonder why we don't have these in San Diego, or maybe we will in time. What a brilliant idea! Pearl had a great time and even came home with a report card.

She was the belle of the ball and shows great potential!

At the end of the day, we all had our fill of fun and looked forward to beginning our daily driving the next day to get back home to our family, friends and life at the beach.

I will blog next week about our return trip, including Texola - one of our favorite campgrounds. Then, I will continue blogging after that, for I enjoy connecting with all of you.

In Gratitude, Shari