Nebraska

Known for rolling hills and expansive plains leading to the great Rocky Mountains, Nebraska is one of the most sparsely populated yet most beautiful states in the nation. A previous tourism slogan, "Where the West Begins," signifies Nebraska's role in the development of this country. As settlers moved west along the Oregon, Mormon and California Trails to take advantage of the free land grants, several landmarks throughout Nebraska signified the end to the flat plains and the beginning of the harsh mountain terrain. Chimney Rock in the far west of the state is a 325-foot tall sandstone pillar that stood as one of these landmarks. Also nearby is Scotts Bluff, an even taller rock formation at 830 feet. The stunning contrast between the tall formation and the surrounding flat countryside warned settlers of the struggles to come. Another unique sight in Nebraska is Carhenge, a bizarre sculpture that is an exact replica of Stonehenge made entirely of vintage cars. There are a few large cities in Nebraska including Omaha and Lincoln, but clearly the draw to the state is the vast amount of open space. Nothing demonstrates this better than the Sandhills, the largest formation of sand dunes in the western hemisphere where you can see nothing else for miles and miles. Among the people of Nebraska, or the Cornhuskers, there is a unique love of this serenity as well as a few other specialties to the state. Football games are one of the most beloved pastimes with consecutive sellouts at the Husker's Memorial Stadium since 1962. As the second largest cattle producing state in the nation, beef is another integral part of Nebraskan life. There's nothing better than a juicy Omaha steak.