GetMeOuttaHere Erik

Decided to film at the last minute, so very amateur - but want to share with you what I consider to be the Best Steak House in the city of Omaha, Nebraska - a City often called The Steak Capital of the USA! The Drover has been serving their iconic whiskey steaks in Omaha since 1979. Nebraska is cattle country, and Omaha once had the largest stockyard in the United States. This is my all-time favorite steak house. Outro Song - Explorer's Theme Western Style - written and performed by me on keyboard.

A visit to the greatest Zoo in the United States - the Henry Doorly Zoo located in Omaha, Nebraska! Now I'm a little biased because I grew up in Western Iowa, so I have a lot of fond memories visiting the Omaha Zoo - that stretch all the way back the early '90s! This is my all-time favorite zoo in the country and is often ranked as the top zoo in the world. The Henry Doorly Zoo (also called the Omaha Zoo) has the largest glazed geodesic dome on the planet that contains the world's largest indoor desert exhibit. Below this is the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit that has the world's largest indoor swamp. This zoo also has the world's largest indoor rainforest, one of the best aquariums on the planet, and the Hubbard Gorilla Valley is one of the best gorilla exhibits and research facilities in the country. So come with me on an expedition as we set forth into the wild landscape of the Henry Doorly Zoo (Omaha's Wild Kingdom)! Welcome to the Henry Doorly Zoo: 0:00 Desert Dome - World's Largest Indoor Desert: 2:05 Kingdoms of the Night: 10:52 Lied Jungle - World's Largest Indoor Rainforest: 17:32 Scott Aquarium: 19:43 African Grasslands: 26:32 Garden of the Senses: 37:38 Asian Highlands: 41:42 Hubbard Gorrilla Valley: 44:36 Owen Sea Lion Shores: 52:24 Glacier Bay Landing: 54:58 Mutual of Omaha Exploration Station: 57:33 Exiting Thru the Gift Shop: 59:52 Rosenblatt Baseball Field Tribute: 1:03:23 Outro Song: 1:05:49 Jellyfish Song - Written and performed by me on keyboard. Outro Song - Explorer's Theme Wildlife Style - Written and performed by me on keyboard.

Taking a walk down memory lane. I called Atlantic, Iowa my home from 1987 - 1996 where most of my fondest childhood memories are. I was one when my parents moved there and we left in 1996 when I was almost 10, moving to Spirit Lake, Iowa where I would later attend and graduate high school at. It's been over 10 years since I've visited Atlantic, a quaint midwest town located just off I-80 half way between Omaha, NE and Des Moines, IA. So I decided to share stories from my past and take you on a tour of my childhood home town! Atlantic is also known as the Coca-Cola Capital of Iowa, there's a large coca-cola bottling company in town and they also celebrate Coca-Cola Days with a soda themed parade. Welcome to Atlantic: 0:00 My Childhood Home on Lomas Circle: 1:38 Exploring Bull Creek: 5:19 George Washington Elementary School: 10:50 The Old Slide at Pellett Park: 15:15 Downtown Atlantic Main Street USA: 17:02 Coca-Cola Bottling Co: 21:36 The Old Movie Theater: 22:42 Santa's Cabin: 25:00 The Old Hardees: 26:05 Pizza Hut: 26:42 Sunnyside Park: 28:08 Jack and Jill Preschool: 33:30 Putt Putt Mini Golf: 34:08 St. Paul's Lutheran Church: 35:48 Where I learned to Play Piano: 37:34 Closing Song: 40:38 Closing Song - Explorer's Theme written and performed by me on piano.

Searching for Villisca on Google Maps displays a small remote agricultural town located in Southwest Iowa, a region defined by endless stretches of rolling hills and fields of corn. The town is appropriately marked with a crimson blotch, a bloodied stain left by an act of horrendous violence that has tarnished the Iowa map for 100 years. My brother Connor and I are back, after eleven years, at one of the most haunted houses in the United States - the Villisca Axe Murder House located in Villisca, Iowa. We were last here in June 2012 for the 100th year anniversary of the senseless murders that occurred at this Iowa farm home. It was here on the night of June 9-10, 1912 that six members of the Moore Family and two neighborhood children were brutally murdered in their sleep with an axe. The event shocked the American people to such an extent that it knocked the Titanic disaster from the front pages of newspapers. A lengthy criminal investigation yielded several suspects, yet no one was convicted. The identity of the “axeman” remains unsolved to this day. A visit to this house is literally a step into a crime scene, a horrific and sad one at that. The very floorboards and walls were present in 1912, and the house has been refurbished to resemble the way it did that when the Moore family lived there. Intro: 0:00 Exploring the Haunted Villisca Axe Murder House: 2:05 Villisca Cemetery: 33:03 Outro Song Haunted Hymn: 36:27 Severe Thunderstorm: 37:23 Fin: 39:28 Outro Song Haunted Hymn - Written and performed by me on piano.

Join me on a roadtrip through the southwest region of Iowa, full of small town Americana and roadside wonders that few have shared on Youtube. I grew up in this part of the country, lived in Atlantic, Iowa until I was 10 yrs old, so many of these unique attractions hold a special place in my heart and I'm excited to share them with you! So follow along as we venture on roads lesser known in the Hawkeye State! Smiley Face Water Tower of Adair 0:00 Jesse James First Train Robbery in the West 1:12 Albert the Bull 2:48 Little Mermaid of Kimballton 10:59 Danish Windmill of Elk Horn 13:14 Plow in the Oak 18:00 Stanton Coffee Pot Water Tower 20:25 Vintage Sinclair Gas Station Oakland 23:57 Volkswagen Beetle Spider Avoca 29:17 Stanton Coffee Cup Water Tower 32:02 Outro Song: 33:02 Outro Song - Exploring the Hawkeye State - written and performed by me on keyboard.

Splash Mountain at Disneyland has closed. Thought I would provide a full ride-thru of my last time riding this classic water flume attraction that opened in 1989. Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear along with other animated characters from Walt Disney's film Song of the South will be dismantled and a new attraction, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, will reopen in its place - expected in late 2024 based off the Disney film The Princess and the Frog. Outro Song - When You Wish Upon a Star/Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Tribute - composed and performed by me on piano. Splash Mountain Ride Thru: 0:00 Outro Song: 12:57

My first time visiting Disneyland in more than 20 years, last time I was here was summer of 2001. So it's been long overdue and I'm ecstatic to be back at the happiest place on Earth! Disneyland is easily the pinnacle of what all theme parks strive to be. Its different themed lands and attractions are captivating to the littlest details, drawing you into the stories beyond the silver screen; making you a part of the adventure, the fantasy. And it's also the history and personal connection to Walt Disney himself that puts Disneyland above every other theme park on the planet. Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, he walked these streets, he created many of the rides still operating, he even had a penthouse above the fire station on Main Street. So today I invite you to tag along with me as I explore Disneyland. "To all who come to this happy place, welcome." - Walt Disney Outro Song - When You Wish Upon a Star/Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Tribute - composed and performed by me on piano. Welcome to Disneyland, Main Street USA: 0:00 Pirates of the Caribbean: 6:08 Mark Twain Steamboat: 13:18 Haunted Mansion Tim Burton Style: 14:05 Splash Mountain: 24:30 Mr. Toad's Wild Ride: 38:00 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: 42:05 Star Wars Galaxy's Edge: 46:17 Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run: 49:14 Star Wars Rise of the Resistance: 55:47 Space Mountain: 01:11:26 Indiana Jones Temple of the Forbidden Eye: 01:15:45 Sleeping Beauty Castle: 01:20:25 Leaving Disneyland: 01:23:07 Outro Song: 01:24:36

My brother Connor and I completed an 8 day journey on Route 66, beginning in Chicago and ending at Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles. We thought, no better way to celebrate this accomplishment than by going to Disneyland! In fact the Disney Pixar movie Cars is heavily inspired by Route 66 and many of the characters are based off of real people that have lived and worked along Route 66. So we decided to spend a day at Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure Theme Park to see for ourselves the influence of the Mother Road and how well Disney Imagineers developed this into the theme park. For those wondering, I've split our entire day at Disneyland into two separate videos. This video focuses on California Adventure - particularly Route 66 and Cars Land. I will be posting a second video that is purely focused on Walt Disney's original theme park: Disneyland. This is our first visit to either Disneyland theme park in 21 years! Last time I was here was summer of 2001 and was only 15 years old, so it was astounding to me how much the parks have changed but at the same time hadn't changed at all. If you want to skip straight to ride-on footage: Mater's Graveyard Jambooree: 7:38 - 10:07 Incredicoaster: 11:09 - 13:58 Radiator Springs Racers: 22:29 Outro Song: 27:35 Ending Song - Under the Neon Light written and performed by me on my Stratocaster guitar.

Here It is - Arizona! And this is Day 6 of our Road Trip along Route 66 as my brother and I continue our journey westward along the Mother Road. The day began checking out of the historic Hotel El Rancho in Gallup, NM, one of the most unique and elegant hotels I've had the pleasure of staying at. The grand lobby alone with its massive fireplace and double staircases makes the stay worthwhile. From there we explored Gallup and paid a visit to the legendary Galloop, also known as the Gallup Loop - a massive, twisted section of roadway that is formed in the shape of a rollercoaster loop or something Sonic the Hedgehog would run through. We departed Gallup and crossed into the great state of Arizona, my new home! Arizona has such a beautifully exotic landscape that is ever changing from desert to mountain terrain. Just past the border, the Mother Road winds and enters the only National Park on the entire route - Petrified Forest National Park. An ancient tropical forest millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed the earth is now a dry desert landscape full of sandstone hills and caverns. This region is known as the Painted Desert due to the many colorful red and purple hues the canyons display. Petrified wood from prehistoric trees dot the landscape providing unbelievable sites and scenery. After leaving the park, we grabbed a late lunch in Holbrook and continued west until we saw a massive sign that simply stated Here It Is! This captured our curiosity and so we were drawn into the famous Jack Rabbit Trading Post - a must stop along Route 66. Next stop was Winslow, AZ where we stood on a corner...it's an Eagles song. The highlight of the day was experiencing the Meteor Crater just west of Winslow. This is the largest and best preserved meteor impact site on the planet and it is magnificent! Really brings to life how fragile and vulnerable our Earth is to massive particles soaring through space. Before reaching Flagstaff we paid a visit to the iconic Twin Arrows - but wait! There's only one now! The solo arrow, numero uno is all that remains standing. Its partner lays flat on the ground. Sad to see such a famous roadside attraction falling apart, hopefully someday it can be repaired and become Twin Arrows again. My brother Connor and I ended Day 6 grabbing a couple beers at the Mother Road Brewery in Flagstaff and then checked into the historic Hotel Monte Vista where I booked the most haunted room in the hotel. There in the corner of the room sat a lone rocking chair, supposedly the ghost of an old woman haunts the room and sits in the chair. People say they have seen it rocking by itself at night. Unfortunately the only spirits that got us that night was of the alcoholic kind, Connor and I did not realize Flagstaff sits at an elevation of 7,000 ft above sea level. So after a few beers and a cocktail at the Monte Vista lobby bar we quickly felt the effects and hit our pillows hard that night. So if there was an old lady ghost haunting that room, we both slept straight through it. Route 66 Intro: 0:00 Historic Hotel El Rancho: 0:50 The Galloop: 12:28 Chief Yellow Horse Trading Post: 13:27 Petrified Forest National Park: 16:03 Holbrook: 33:35 Here It Is! Jack Rabbit Trading Post: 36:46 Standin' On the Corner in Winslow, AZ: 39:35 Meteor Crater: 40:28 Twin Arrows: 46:08 Mother Road Brewery: 50:18 Hotel Monte Vista Flagstaff: 51:10 Outro Song: 56:18 Opening Song - Route 66 Theme written and performed by me on my Stratocaster guitar Closing Song - Under the Neon Light written and performed by me on my Stratocaster guitar

Covering the most ground today on the Mother Road, this is our longest travel day leaving St. Louis, MO en route to Chandler, Oklahoma. Missouri is a beautiful state to traverse full of green rocky forested terrain, there's so much to do and see here along Route 66. In a future trip I will plan to spend several days getting the full experience (maybe the 100 year anniversary of Route 66 in 2026). Given we were more limited in time this first trek along the Mainstreet of America, we did pack in an array of classic roadside attractions: vintage motels, retro signage, historic eateries, majestic bridges...and a trip to Uranus. I also wanted to highlight a couple historic places that may not necessarily be associated with Route 66 but certainly nearby and worth a stop, these include ragtime pianist Scott Joplin's home in St. Louis and paying respects at the Joplin Tornado Memorial in Joplin, Missouri. From there my brother and I entered Kansas where Route 66 cuts through the Southeast corner of the state (a half marathon to be exact). Galena and Baxter Springs are well worth the trip, beautiful midwest towns that embrace the Pixar Cars movie. From there we continued into Oklahoma as the sun set, driving through the night to our final destination at the historic Lincoln Motel in Chandler, Oklahoma. An epic day along the Mother Road and a journey that I will cherish always. Route 66 Intro: 0:00 The Whispering Arch of STL Union Station: 0:50 Ragtime King Scott Joplin's Home: 3:23 Chuck Berry Rock 'N Roll Statue: 5:13 Wagon Wheel Motel: 6:57 Giant Rocking Chair: 9:45 Stuckey's Gas Station: 13:19 The Devil's Elbow Bridge: 17:26 Uranus Fudge Factory: 18:30 Munger Moss Motel: 26:41 Original Steak 'n Shake: 29:32 Springfield MO Birthplace of Route 66: 31:47 2011 Joplin Tornado Memorial: 33:20 Welcome to Kansas - Cars Land: 41:01 Rainbow Arch Bridge: 45:52 Lincoln Motel - Chandler, OK: 48:27 Outro Song: 50:15 Opening Song - Route 66 Theme written and performed by me on my Stratocaster guitar Closing Song - Under the Neon Light written and performed by me on my Stratocaster guitar

Embarking on the great American adventure from Chicago to Los Angeles along the Mother Road, the Main Street of America, Route 66. It's finally happening, and my brother Connor is tagging along to make this experience all the more memorable. This is Day 1 of our road trip along historic Route 66 beginning in the heart of Chicago and driving the backroads of Illinois. Due to car issues and closing out my apartment, we left a little later so couldn't highlight as much as I originally intended to on this day but still having the experience of a lifetime nonetheless. This journey is partly happening because I have moved out of my apartment in Schaumburg, IL; a place I've lived for almost 9 years and moving out west to Phoenix, AZ. Route 66 Intro: 0:00 It Begins in Chicago: 2:38 The Gemini Giant: 11:40 The Route 66 Museum Pontiac, IL: 14:41 Muffler Man Holding a Hot Dog Atlanta, IL: 31:00 Giant Abe Lincoln in Lincoln, IL: 33:18 Cozy Dog Drive Inn Springfield, IL: 34:33 Old Brick Road: 38:12 Neon Cross: 41:58 Arriving in St. Louis: 42:31 Outro Song: 44:52 Opening Song - Route 66 Theme written and performed by me on my Stratocaster guitar Closing Song - Under the Neon Light written and performed by me on my Stratocaster guitar

My first time seeing a game at Diablo Stadium - Spring Training Home of the Anaheim Angels MLB Baseball Team. Diablo Stadium is located in Tempe, Arizona and is part of the Cactus League for MLB Spring Training Games. I had to rep the Chicago Cubs as they faced off against the Angels in this thrilling baseball game. This video highlights what you can expect if you're thinking about seeing a game at Diablo Stadium, a wonderful ballpark. Outro Song - Explorer's Theme Baseball Edition - written and performed by me on keyboard.

My first time experiencing Spring Training Baseball at Sloan Park - home of the Chicago Cubs in Mesa Arizona. The Cactus League takes place in the Phoenix, Arizona metro region throughout the month of March and hosts Spring Training for 15 MLB Baseball Teams. This allows them to prepare for the regular season and try out potential prospects while warming up against other teams. Sloan Park opened in 2014 and is the Chicago Cubs home field for Spring Training. What an experience it is, like a smaller version of Wrigley Field, tons of Chicago fans, Old Style Beer, Chicago Style Hot Dogs, Harry Carry 7th Inning Stretch, and even their own Red Marquee Sign! You get the Full Chicago experience here, one of the best Spring Training park experiences. Outro Song - Explorer's Theme Baseball Style - written and performed by me on keyboard.

The Grand opening of Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood - I “Wario” will be your guide! The Super NES was the game system I grew up with, Super Mario World being a huge part of my childhood, so this was an incredible experience seeing the Mushroom Kingdom come to life! The new dark ride: Mario Kart Bowser’s Challenge is one of the most innovative and thrilling dark rides I’ve ever experienced. Universal’s latest themed land is well worth a visit - so what are you waiting for - Let’s a Gooo! This is also my first visit to Universal Studios Hollywood since 2012, a lot has changed with the park so I’ve shared my return experience! Outro Song: Explorer Theme Video Game Style - written and performed by me on keyboard

My first time living in a city that hosts the Super Bowl, sharing the Super Bowl LVII Experience getting ready for the big game in Phoenix, Arizona. The Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL Championship game this year hosted in Phoenix. The Phoenix Convention Center was the location of this year's Superbowl Experience which pays tribute to the history of NFL Football and hypes up this year's Super Bowl Game. Closing Song: Explorer's Theme composed and performed on piano by me.

Roadtripping across Nebraska, had to stop at the Fort Cody Trading Post in North Platte. It is pure roadside Americana - part museum, part gift shop. Fort Cody contains one of the coolest exhibits in Nebraska - Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, over 20,000 wooden carved charicatures displaying scenes from Buffalo Bill Cody's historic Wild West Show. Buffalo Bill lived in North Platte, Nebraska and started his groundbreaking Wild West Show here. Fort Cody also contains a two headed calf, a Native American Muffler Man, and John Wayne Toilet Paper!? Well worth a stop right off Interstate-80. Also featured in North Platte is the Golden Spike Tower - you can take an elevator ride to the top which provides panoramic views of the Union Pacific Bailey Yard. This is the largest Railway yard in the world! An estimated 14,000 rail cars are handled here every day. So take in the incredible sites and watch the trains go by and listen to the endless chorus of train wheels screeching on the steel tracks. How often can you say you've seen the largest train hub in the world! Outro Song: Explorer's Theme - written and performed by me on piano.

My mission to drink a beer at the oldest bar of all 50 states of the USA has brought me to the town of Columbus, Nebraska. Glur's Tavern is the oldest bar in the Cornhusker State, slinging drinks to thirsty farmers and pioneers since 1876. Even Buffalo Bill Cody frequented this tavern on the prairie while touring the country on his famous Wild West show. Not only is Glur's Tavern coined the oldest bar in Nebraska, it also claims to be the oldest continuously operating bar west of the Missouri River! Much of the building looks exactly like it did in the late 1800's, with a large edition and renovation that took place in 1987. Glur's is a treasure of a tavern and one of my personal favorite bars in the USA. So come on down - saddle up at the bar for some local Nebraska taps (Nebraska has some excellent beer selections), grab a juicy burger fried behind the bar (fresh Nebraska meat), and listen to the many stories from long-time owner Todd Trofholz. Before you realize it you'll be walking outside thinking to yourself...Last night was a Glur! Closing song - Night at the Old Tavern written and played by me on piano.

A venture to the top of Piestewa Peak - the 2nd tallest mountain in the Phoenix Mountain Range after Camelback Mountain. Piestewa is 2,610 ft above sea level; formally called Squaw Peak - it's name was changed to Piestewa in 2003 to honor Lori Ann Piestewa who was the first known Native American woman to die in combat in the U.S. military. She lost her life in the Iraq War that same year. There are several trails you can hike on and around Piestewa Peak, in this video I am highlighting the Summit Trail (300) - a steep and spectacularly scenic trek to the gray jagged mountain summit of Piestewa. I highly recommend you do this hike at sunset! Closing Song - Explorer's Theme written and performed by me on piano.

This is a hike I've been wanting to do ever since I moved to Phoenix last summer. Camelback Mountain is the highest peak of the Phoenix Mountain System reaching a height of 2,706 feet above sea level. It is the most iconic mountain in the Phoenix metro, and called Camelback because it literally looks like a camel laying on its stomach with the its prominent peak resembling a camel's hump. The Echo Canyon Trail is cited as one of the most challenging hiking trails in all of Arizona. While only roughly 1 mile long, one must endure a steep climb of 1,200 ft through rocky terrain to reach the mountain summit. And this can be extremely difficult in the sweltering summer heat, so it's advised to climb during the winter season. Many people have lost their lives hiking and climbing Camelback Mountain. Given its iconic status and challenging reputation, Camelback is the perfect hike if you come prepared - pace yourself, bring plenty of water, stay on the trails, and enjoy the challenge. The views at the top are incredible and standing on the summit is a rewarding experience. Outro Song - Explorer's Theme written and performed by me on piano.

Wishing you all a Happy New Year - 2023! I'm excited for what the future has in store, lots of travel plans and new content exploring the American Southwest. And fitting in trips to the Midwest and other possible travel destinations as my schedule permits. Closing Song - Auld Lang Syne played by me on piano.

A fantastic new bakery and cafe located in Lake Park, Iowa near the Iowa Great Lakes Okoboji region. Love the Bigfoot theme! They have a wood burning oven that was purchased from France so the baked cuisine is fresh and phenomenal! Well worth a stop if you are passing through this part of the USA. Outro Song - Explorer's Theme written and performed by me on keyboard.

Crooked Headed Santa spotted on Christmas Eve…he’s mad I didn’t leave cookies out.

Santa Claus is not real, in Arizona that is. This once charming roadside attraction that was opened in 1937, closed in the 1980s and remained abandoned for decades. It's Christmas themed buildings left to rot in the Mojave Desert. Well apparently these graffiti covered, scorpion infested, decayed candy cane structures have been bulldozed to the ground this year, it's remnants hauled away and nothing remains except a dilapidated sign advertising "Land for Sale". Santa didn't even leave the soot from his boots. Closing song: Explorer Theme Christmas Edition - written and played by me on keyboard.

When people think of Colorado, they think of the Rocky Mountains, and no wonder it's the largest mountain range in North America! What most tourists don't know is that the eastern half of the state of Colorado is basically a sea of prairie and range land, a region known as the high plains. But don't write this part of the state off, there's plenty of hiking and exploring to do if you know where to look. One such feature worth visiting is the Paint Mines Interpretive Park, located northeast of Colorado Springs. Winding gullies cut deep across the prairie landscape, revealing weathering sandstone and clay that gives way to a chromatic display of colors. Varying hues of purple, red, yellow, gray, and brown emerge as the sunlight calls different tones into the spotlight depending on the time of day. Hoodoos and other unique rock formations dot this surreal terrain. Trails are provided to lead hikers on an excursion across the prairie and into the canyon. This is a fun hike with plenty of photo opportunities and provides a journey across the High Plains of Colorado, a region many overlook. Oh and it's always windy, so plan to put up with the wind! Outro Song: Explorer's Theme - composed and performed on piano by me.

Hiking to Devil's Bridge in Sedona, Arizona, a popular hike to a natural sandstone arch where those daring enough can walk across, careful not to fall 54 ft on either side to the canyon below. Plenty of tree climbing and prickly pear cactus tasting along the way. Also highlighted is a visit to the only McDonalds in the world with Green Arches! Devil's Bridge Hike: 0:00 Green Arches McDonalds: 32:51 Closing Theme: 34:11 Closing song - Mysterious Journey theme written and performed by me on piano