Two States, One Bridge: Stretching Our Legs on "The Bob"

After driving for several hours across Iowa, finding a place to truly stretch out is a necessity. During our time in Omaha, we headed to the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, or as the locals affectionately call it, "The Bob." It was the perfect outdoor break, offering fresh air, great views, and a bit of a geography lesson all in one.

The Bridge That Curves

Opened in 2008, this is a 3,000-foot-long cable-stayed bridge that gracefully curves over the Missouri River. It’s one of the longest pedestrian only bridges in the country. Standing on it, you get a fantastic view of the Omaha skyline on one side and the lush riverbanks of Council Bluffs, Iowa, on the other.

"Bobbing" Across the State Line

The highlight of the walk is the middle of the bridge, where the state line is clearly marked on the ground. We couldn’t resist doing a bit of "Bobbing", the local term for standing with one foot in Nebraska and one foot in Iowa at the same time. It’s a mandatory photo op for any traveler, and the kids loved being in two places at once.

Following Lewis and Clark

The bridge isn't just a pretty walkway; it’s a gateway to history. The Omaha side of the bridge is home to the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Visitor Center. Standing over the Missouri River, it’s amazing to think that this is the very route Lewis and Clark took in their expedition back in 1804. Being on the trail ourselves, even if our "mode of transportation" was a vehicle, it gave us a real connection to that spirit of exploration.

Future Plans on Two Wheels

While we walked the bridge this time, we quickly realized we were in a cyclist's paradise. The bridge connects more than 150 miles of trails between the two cities. We saw plenty of people zipping by on e-bike rentals, which look like a blast. We’ve already decided that next time we visit, we are definitely bringing our own bikes (or grabbing some rentals) to explore the trail system more deeply.

A Quick Hello to OMAR

Before we headed back to the van, we had to stop by the Omaha side to see OMAR the Troll. This 5-foot bronze troll lives under the bridge and has become a bit of a local celebrity. He was a fun final touch to a great afternoon of exploring.