GREEN DREAM HOUSE, OF MC COOK, NEBRASKA

Life on the road can be a dirty one, and taking time to correct that feels good. The Bronco, not driven since Clinton, Indiana, having plowed through the rain, then dust behind the motor home, was gritty to the touch. Windows were brown streaked and begging for a wash. Ahhh, that felt good.

We checked out the Frank Lloyd Wright house on Norris Street.

And, the Green Dream house, which has an interesting story. Judy Mahoney, from McCook won this house from a drawing during the 2001 America Recycles Day celebration. Her pledge to recycle was drawn at random from more than 6.2 million pledge cards. The prize — a 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom house called a national model by the National Recycling Coalition — was constructed using recycled-content building materials and energy-efficient equipment.
It was built with corporate donations. http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/9870  This website gave minimal information about the Dream House, but included several good articles about the U.S. Certification of Green Builders as Nebraska architects and builders go green.
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2003/111-16/forum.html  This website gives more detailed information about the recycled materials in the house and how anyone can find those kinds of materials.
Recycled products used in the house include carpet made of 25-100% recycled polyethylene (plastic bottles) and a roof made of recycled steel. Natural linoleum, which is made of linseed oil, resins, and wood flour. It's biodegradable and, unlike vinyl, is not associated with releases of potential toxicants in its manufacture and disposal. Paint and adhesives with no volatile organic compounds. The house was framed using insulating concrete forms, or ICFs, made of expanded polystyrene (which doesn't deplete the ozone layer) and filled with concrete and reinforcing bars (which are generally 99% recycled steel). Using ICFs requires little to no use of wood on the exterior of a building. Coupled with a well-insulated roof and foundation, ICF walls can save as much as 50% on heating and cooling bills.

The curator of the High Plains Museum gave us the information to start us on our way, looking about town at the various places of interest.

This sculpture sits in the yard of long time legislator, George W. Norris. He served 5 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and 4 in the Congress for the State of Nebraska. His house is open to the public and is designated a State Landmark. One of his stellar achievements was to make Nebraska's representation be non-partisan. He retired from public service in 1943.  

This sculpture stands in the yard of Ben Nelson's boyhood home. He was a popular Governor of Nebraska and is known for pushing for and establishing the ethanol industry in Nebraska.  People like their politicians here and treat them with respect.
We had a relaxing day, reading and resting before we tackle the Rockies through Colorado.