2012 NC Region Summer Starter Rally

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                         Born Free NC Region Summer Starter Rally June 4-8, 2012 at Ashland, NE

Mahoney State Park, Boys Town, Strategic Air & Space Museum, Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari Park, great RVing fellowship, tasty meals, video trills and most of all topped by the hospitality of Mike Barmettler. The Born Free Leap’n Lions RV Club gathering on June 4th to 7th was fantastic. Our gathering park was the Nebraska Mahoney State Park located between Omaha and Lincoln right off of Interstate 80. The park itself is a destination park with all the attractions and amenities any vacationer would want for a family outing or a quiet relaxing spot.

Our rally host, Mike Barmettler, and what a host he was, made our stay on the Nebraska prairie a far more fascinating getaway than the park options. Our coaches, all parked in the same area, were spread among the trees, but Mike had a passenger van he used as a taxi and we all had the choice of riding or walking to and from the Peter Kiewit Lodge, the gathering spot for organized meals, and Mike's thrilling videos on his "Colorado Jeeping" tours. Mike also arranged and transported us to our out-of-park tours.

Father Flannigan’s Boys Town, if you've not been there put it on your "bucket list," was an eye opener and inspiring outing. We all know it as a place for young men and women who need counseling, guidance, role models and structure in their life in order to overcome their dysfunctional behaviors. Boys Town is all of that and an institution with a rich history and years of success all displayed in a few museum quality houses, and rooms. From Boys Town’s Mission statement: “Boys Town reaches out to help children and heal families who are most in need. We lift them up, heal their emotional, physical and spiritual wounds and put them on paths to brighter futures.â€