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Murdock Newsletter
Labor Day, 2007, Extra
Family Vacation in Your Own Back Yard
I was watching a cartoon with Lauren this morning. I think it was the Bernstein Bears or something. But it really hit home. The program was about the mother bear wanting to have some “family time” with her husband and two children so she called a family meeting to tell them she’d like for them to all have a family fun time next Saturday. All three family members had other activities they’d already committed to (does that sound familial?); brother bear had boy scouts, sister bear had a volunteer community activity, and father bear had some tables to finish repairing and return to the neighbor. The family agreed that they could find some time to be together after they had completed their commitments. So they tried to decide what to do.
One of them thought going to a movie would be good. Despite mother bear’s thought that watching a movie wouldn’t be very quality conversation time, she agreed it would be better than to not do anything together.
As the cartoon continued to show struggle upon struggle that the bears experienced to just try to spend some time together as a family, it hit very much to my own home and I think the homes of most of us. So much commitment and so little time. Hurrying and rushing seem to be today’s pace for the day. I don’t know about you, but it almost feels like if you’re schedule isn’t crammed and packed full of things to do, and places to go (not even necessarily people to see), you are atypical
With the holiday weekend coming up, I thought it would be nice to have several ideas that would suit your time, allow family time, be fun, and be close to home as well. A lot of the information I have taken from different web sites, which I have included. Most of them we have personally visited this summer and had a wonderful, relaxing, and enjoyable time. They don’t take a whole lot of planning, their fairly inexpensive if not free, and they’re nearly in our own back yard. Hope this is helpful for a little mini vacation or end of the summer sha bang!
“Get Your Kicks at Exit 426” was a slogan used to help attract people to come visit places located at I-80 exit 426.
Strategic Air and Space Museum
This unique museum has over 300,000 square feet of air and space history including 30 aircraft and missiles, two aircraft display hangars, an ever-changing exhibit area, a children's interactive gallery, a 200-seat theater, an aircraft restoration gallery and much more! It features exhibition space on two levels. For more information call (402) 944-3100.
Eugene T. Mahoney Park
Get out of your car and enjoy this year-round open park that includes camping, a family aquatic complex, horseback riding, fishing and even winter sports! There is recreation to entertain the entire family. For more information please call (402) 944-2523.
The State Parks in our area are phenomenal!! We are so fortunate to have such easy access to the swimming, fishing, camping, and all the other activities offered by the many we have right around us.
Louisville park is right there off Hwy 50 and offers camping, a swimming beach, picnic areas for day use, concessions, and several fishing lakes as well as a scenic view of the Platter River. Louisville has the amenities of any well-equipped recreation are-picnic tables, fire grates, drinking water, modern restrooms and showers and even a playground area for the kids.
Platte River State Park also offers tennis, archery, swimming, paddle boats, horseback riding, and much more!
Another great place for swimming is Lanoma Beach located on Hwy 6 between Ashland and Gretna. They have many aquatic toys in the water as well as a new water slide on land. It is a fabulous time!
This walking bridge allows people to walk across the Platte River and is great way to get some exercise with a very relaxing and amazing view!
If biking suits you, you may enjoy the trail rides at Mahoney or the MoPac East Trail located between Wabash and Lincoln.
Wildlife Safari Park
Take a ride through this great American wildlife adventure. Experience animals such as elk, bison and cranes up-close from your own car. Visit the new Wolf Canyon Overlook, Sacred Hoop Garden and discover different hiking trails. Call (402) 944-WILD for more information.
Quarry Oaks Golf Club
Quarry Oaks Golf Club has been recognized as one of America’s 100 greatest public golf courses by Golf Digest and is enjoyable for all skill levels. With majestic views overlooking the panoramic Platte River Valley, the golf course features beautiful native vegetation, limestone enriched terrain and wildlife. For the non-golfer, enjoy a 6-mile cart tour drive or lunch in our beautiful restaurant overlooking the golf course. For more information, please call (402) 944-6000
Grandpa’s Woods Golf Course
Open sun up to sun down everyday! Grandpa’s Woods is located two miles north, one mile east, and ½ mile north of Elmwood. Their brochure states: this course is a nine hole executive golf course with many challenges. The course offers a chance to use all the clubs, may it be over the water or through the many beautiful tree lined fairways. It consists of three par four holes and six par three holes. For more information or tee time availability, you may call 994-2100.
The Double D Ranch
This article was seen in the Omaha World Herald and tells about the Double D Ranch: The Double D Ranch, northwest of Ashland, is a place where cowboys still roam, and a chuck wagon supper awaits.
A train takes visitors on a tour of the Old West, out to where Dave Fulkerson heads a gang of cowboys "Adults come out and enjoy a cowboy supper. We give them prime brisket, and some Nebraska toast (and) our famous cowboy beans with ranch potatoes," said Fulkerson.
After the tables are cleared, the stage is set for live cowboy music.
"The kind of music you don't really hear anymore. Yodeling, harmony, a clap-your-hands, stomp-your-feet kind of thing," Fulkerson said.
Chuck wagon suppers and live music shows are Saturday and Sunday nights. Visitors need a reservation. The experience costs $22 for adults and $9 for children.
"For folks who want to see something different, and unique, and spend an afternoon with their family, we'd be a great choice," Fulkerson said.
The Double D is 6.5 miles northwest of Ashland on Highway 66 on Old Highway 63 on the south side of the highway.
Call 888-944-2207 to reserve a spot.
If racing is more for you, you’re in luck because we have two racetracks nearby. Eagle Raceway and Nebraska Raceway Park are both within a short driving distance.
There are several marvelous museums and all very close to home. The Bess Streeter Aldrich House and Museum; and GAR Museum in Elmwood, Murdock Historical Museum, The World War II Library and Museum off I-80 at the Greenwood exit, as well as the Strategic Air and Space Museum.
And let’s not forget the Nebraska State Fair going on in Lincoln. There are just too many activities to list for this event! You’ll have to go see it for yourself.
Hope you all have a GREAT Labor Day Weekend!
Here’s a list of most of the places I’ve mentioned above:
Strategic Air and Space Museum
GAR Museum
Bess Streeter Aldrich Museum
Murdock Historical Museum
The WW II Library
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Platte River State Park
Louisville State Park
Schram Park
Wildlife Safari Zoo
Grandpa’s Woods
Quarry Oaks
Iron Horse Golf Course in Ashland
The Walking Bridge over the Platter River
Royals Baseball game
Nebraska State Fair
Informative websites for activities around our community:
www.VisitCassCounty.com
www.exit426.com
www.DoubleD.net
www.ngpc.state.ne.us
www.quarryoaks.com
www.golfironhorse.com
www.stockseed.com
www.oxbowhay.com
www.gptn.org/mopac.htm
www.louisvilleartchicks.com
www.eagleraceway.com
www.neracewaypark.com
www.strategicairandspace.com
A little further away:
www.omahazoo.com
www.visitkearney.org
www.statefair.org
News to the Editor
- Please send all your Murdock area news to me. Birthdays, anniversaries, announcements, events or news are welcome and will be added to the upcoming newsletter. Thanks in advance for all your help!
Teri Bowman
Editor@murdocknebraska.com
