Sun, Mar 8: Fly into Omaha, Nebraska. Upon arrival transfer to the Durham Museum, housed in Omaha’s beautiful art deco Union Station. A museum docent will guide you through the ins and outs of this landmark building, with time after to further explore the collections at your pace. Enjoy an included lunch before departing west to the city of Grand Island, one of the premier destinations for viewing the flocks of sandhill cranes and other migratory birds that converge in the Platte River Valley every spring. Check into your hotel for the next three nights before reconvening for an included group dinner at a local restaurant. (Meals: Lunch, Dinner)

Mon, Mar 9: Enjoy breakfast included at the hotel before visiting a museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Pioneers who settled these plains. The Stuhr Museum features both a museum and a living history village called Railroad Town: an 1890s-era prairie village made up of many original period structures relocated to the museum. Among the structures in Railroad Town is the house where actor Henry Fonda was born in 1905. Then head to Grand Island’s historic downtown, known as the Railside District, for leisurely time spent browsing the antique shops and boutiques. After lunch on your own, hit the road with a local guide, touring the countryside where sandhill cranes fly to feed during the day. Spot cranes and other wildlife from the comfort of the motorcoach. Later, visit the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center, a nonprofit conservation group established to protect and maintain various wildlife habitats found in the local area. Discover their fascinating displays, Hornady Art Gallery, gift shop, and potentially catch a glimpse of the small herd of American bison who roam the property. After a short presentation, a guide will accompany the group for a walk along a paved path to a footbridge over the north channel of the Platte River. Enjoy a 360º open-air view of cranes in the sky, along with the sights and sounds of other migratory birds. Retire to the hotel following the tour. (B)

Tue, Mar 10: Wake up before the sunrise and return to the Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center to see the cranes from a prime vantage point, a private riverside viewing blind on the Platte River. A trained guide will lead you to the river where the cranes roost overnight, providing a perfect photo op for birders to catch the huge flocks that will take off from the wetlands. Return to the hotel for downtime and grab lunch on your own before a short drive to the nearby town of Kearney, also part of the Nebraska Flyway, so keep your eyes on the sky! Visit The Archway, a unique architectural landmark stretching across the interstate that contains a museum dedicated to Western migration. Return to Grand Island to explore an important fundamental shared by both Nebraska and Indiana: agriculture. Visit Raising Nebraska, an interactive educational center that explores the science and innovation behind farming and ranching in the Cornhusker State. Get hands on with a workshop before enjoying a meal prepared by a local chef. (B,D)

Wed, Mar 11: Have a leisurely morning as you prepare to return to Omaha in the afternoon for your flight home. (B)