Nebraska has sometimes been referred to as “flyover country,” a phrase that sometimes sets my teeth on edge. Judging any place from 30,000 feet and finding it lacking is the equivalent of driving the 450 miles of Interstate (designed simply to be the most efficient way from point A to point B) without stopping, and then declaring it boring.
Geocachers, of course, know better. They know the value of a little exploration -- a little side trip, a stopover. With this cache I invite you not just to visit the airport building, but to learn about Nebraska’s aviation history, with its ties to the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, and our national defense system.
Please remember you are in a heightened security area. Please treat the area and staff with respect as well as the privacy of other visitors while taking photos.
To get credit for this Virtual cache:
1. You will need to enter the Lincoln Municipal Airport terminal. Look for the red plane – it shouldn’t be difficult to find. Take a picture of yourself (face not required) or your GPS with the plane in the background. Please post it with your log or send it to me.
Optional: not required to receive credit for the cache, but a welcome addition to your log or message:
2. Explore the Nebraska aviation history timeline, available on the airport’s website.
https://lincolnairport.com/historical-timeline/
Pick your favorite photo or fact in the history. Why does it appeal to you?
Bonus Nebraska trivia: One particular flyover group of up to a million participants has made central Nebraska a vital stopover for thousands of years. Nebraskans, and visitors from around the country and beyond, make the journey to see them each spring. Who are these aviation experts? You don’t need to answer to receive credit for this cache, but if you’re on a plane, finding the answer will give you something to do.
I hope geocaching in Nebraska will help shift perceptions from “flyover country” to “stopover country” and "return visit country."
Thanks for visiting!
**Construction note: the airport terminal is undergoing renovations. As of this posting, the north half of the building is pretty bare, but at this time you should still be able to find the red plane without problem. I will try to check periodically to see if the construction has shifted.**
PARKING: first 20 minutes free in surface lots.
Placed with thanks to B. Davis and R. Barth of the Lincoln Airport Authority, who granted permission for this cache.
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Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.