Headed back out on the ice.

I took the day off to make up for working over the weekend and our youngest and I went to Holmes Lake for another try at ice fishing. I got a decent sun fish and he caught a rainbow trout! We're really starting to like ice fishing and it beat the heck out of sitting in the office all day.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Our 1st try at ice fishing.

I haven't ice fished since I was a kid, but our youngest has been begging for several years to go. I didn't have much desire to freeze to death sitting on a 5 gallon bucket and to top it off, we didn't have any of the equipment.

Well, this year for Christmas I caved and decided we'd get him set up with everything he'd need to start ice fishing.

My grandpa, his great grandfather, built these two ice sleds that can haul equipment out, then be tipped on end to serve as a shelter to sit in. He made them 25 years ago. I knew they were still around, so I hunted them down, gave them a fresh coat of paint, and rigged up a tarp to go between them to stop the wind and hold the heat in. On Christmas our youngest got the 2 ice shacks, an ice auger, pole, lures and a heater.

Today was the first time we tried them. They worked pretty well. We caught a handful of small fish and really had a great time. We stayed toasty with the heater and were out on the ice at Holmes Lake still catching fish well past dark. I admit, I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. We talked about using plywood instead of a tarp so they could be used independently or hooked together, but for now the tarp worked fine.

It's neat to see the ice shacks being used again for the first time in 20 years. And he's proud to be using something his great grandpa built.

2010 was a great year spent outdoors!

2010 was another great year to spend time outdoors! The NOA blog had 362 posts. Now has 27 followers and 13,785 unique hits during 2010. And I have 771 facebook friends. I've had a great time sharing my adventures with you and hope you've made an effort to spend more time outdoors.

You've seen our family have a ton of fun outside and watched me mature as a cyclist. I started riding in 2008 and put on 2,000 miles that year. During 2009 I racked up an additional 4,681.78 miles on the bike. This year brought 6,270.43 more miles giving me a total of 12,952.21 for my first 3 years as a cyclist. During 2010 blog readers have followed me on the following outdoor adventures:

129 round trip commutes to work and back (aprox 20 miles)

18 one way work commutes (aprox 10 miles)

We attended the Big Buck Classic in Omaha.

I rode in 6 of Lincoln's Critical Mass rides.

Tried my luck at the KC Sprints.

16 Hustle alley cat style races.

You saw me try and fail at riding an indoor trainer.

Couch sledding with our oldest.

Participated in the following GPBC events: Holiday Dinner, Easter Candy Ride, Spring Fling Ride, Full Moon Ride, Just Do It Ride, Lied Bridge Ride, Ride Of Silence, Wabash Trace Ride, and the Heatstroke 100 Ride.

Riding to Pepe's for the Sunday 'Biker Special'.

The purchase of Trusty Rusty.

Riding gravel with the Adventure Racers to Branched Oak and Beatrice.

Riding gravel in Kansas.

The opening of the Antelope Valley Trail.

18 Tuesday Night Nacho Rides.

Biking to church 7 times.

You saw me Demo the Bike Pedalers Marin Mount Vision 5.9 and Pivot Mach 4 mountain bikes.

I put together and hosted the 1st annual NSFW ride.

Attended the LPD bike auction.

The Cycle Works Tomac open house event.

I was a spectator at the following races: ACA 12 hour MTB race at Wagontrain. Xterra Bolt Branched Oak race. Flatwater cyclocross races at Van Dorn Park. Lincoln Cyclocross races at Pioneers park. And the Capital City Criterium.

You saw me get road rash in the shape of a heart from a tight turn on a downhill section of bike trail during a wet work commute.

We attended the Joyride Specialized demo event.

Spring and fall turkey hunting with our youngest.

Camping, air boating, and catching monster catfish on the Loup River.

I spent 9 nights in a tent and 5 nights in campers during 2010.

I rode single track at: Wagon Train, Branched Oak, Wilderness Park and Bike Pedalers' secret MTB area.

I rode with the BP crew on the Bread & Cup ride and the Yia Yias ride.

Two Fox Hole 100 rides.

Did my 2nd Tour De Nebraska 5-day bike tour.

We did the Taco Ride in Iowa.

Took Gravel to Parkers Smokehouse in Ashland.

Rode day-1 of RAGBRAI and attended the Expo the day before.

Canoed at Holmes Lake a couple of times with the family.

Met Tom Snyders the bicycling comedian on RAGBRAI, saw his show in Omaha and rode to Pepe's with him in Lincoln.

Checked out the Cycle Works Giant ladies bike demo.

Rode in the 2010 GLGA Gravel World Championship.

Bought the wife a Specialized Ruby.

You saw the Felt Z70 frame become fatigued and separated.

I rode a loaner Surly Cross Check from Bike Pedalers.

Then got a new Felt ZA frameset from Felt free on warrantee.

Attended the Monkey Wrench Cycles grand opening.

Found the Austro-Daimler & a cruiser for $30 at the Bicycle Swap Meet.

Rode the Flint Hills Nature Trail in Kansas.

Rode a century going to Nebraska City and back.

I had 6 flat tires during 2010.

We attended the 2010 Ducks Unlimited banquet and the 2010 Quail Forever Banquet.

And, we deer hunted again on the Loup this year.

I'm not bragging, just wanted to see a tally, but it's not about the numbers, it's about the fun I've had. And I'm so thankful for all the great people I've met and spent time and miles with again in 2010.

I'm healthier, happier, greener, more responsible, fun and social than I've ever been. I'm looking forward to building on the time we've spent outdoors and making 2011 another unforgettable year of outdoor adventures.

My big cycling/blog goals for this year were:

10,000 unique hits on the NOA blog during 2010. *CHECK*

25 NOA followers and 500 facebook friends by the end of 2010. *CHECK, CHECK*

Another year with no serious wrecks. *CHECK*

6,000 miles on the bike during 2010. *CHECK*

5 Centuries during 2010. *NOPE, JUST 2*

125 round trip work commutes during 2010. *CHECK*

And another tour during 2010. *CHECK*

I'm not setting any specific goals for 2011 other than to finish Gravel Worlds and maybe get a MTB. Otherwise I just hope to keep doing what I have been.

Hope to see you spending time with friends and family outdoors in the year to come!!!

Have a Happy New Year!!!

My turn!

I had to take some lessons from our 13 yr old, but by gosh I did find a big one!

The big cats are biting again on the Loup.

It took our youngest just a couple of minutes to catch this lunker on his first cast this morning.

Waterfest 2010

Our youngest and I hopped on our bikes and headed over to Holmes Lake this evening for Waterfest. Geeze, I didn't realize how big this event would be! It was all free, food, music, booths, demonstrations, fishing, canoe rides, and more. He brought home a bag of free loot, some new knowledge about water conservation and some memories of a few hours of fun on the banks of Holmes Lake.

Including all three rides today I racked up 37.4 miles total.

'Fishing addicts lose all common sense.'

On the way back to camp on my dad's airboat we ran across Jim in his handcrafted airboat as he fished for cats in the deep spots.

When asked from a distance if he was catching any, he held up both hands... Not clearly saying he wasn't, but implying only. While we all know lying is wrong, when it comes to fishing, misunderstandings are always appreciated. At almost the same time his line tugged and he was unable to hide yet another successful catch. He gingerly tossed it in the bucket and continued the conversation hopping no one had noticed.

Even though he has a new airboat, he still is found in the one he built himself years ago. We stopped to visit about the fishing and he expressed his disappointment in his Zebco reel. "After so long, they get grooves wore in them (the real casing) and don't work right any more, I filed them down, but they come back." he said. That tells you how much fishing Jim has done. How many millions of yards of line have to be cast out of a Zebco to cut grooves in it? Unbelievable!

When asked why he was fishing out of his old boat rather than his new vessel he said he wants to get the seat lowered and has it in the shop. And adds it probally won't get done anytime soon. You see, as his focus has shifted from farming to fishing he claims he's losing authority back at the shop on his family farm. He warned us, "They say, once you are addicted to fishing, you lose all common sense." Evidently, according to Jim, that means his projects take a back seat to machinery maintenance and repairs weather he likes it or not.

Seeing that we came from upstream, he asked how the fishing was up there, he said he hasn't been any farther, "...cause, I don't want to get too far from supper." That's Jim's way of saying he doesn't want to get too far from his wife. Who, also stopped by to see us earlier and take a picture of our youngest and his monster catfish for the local weekly paper. She is a community correspondent reporting in by noon every Tuesday so readers know who had who over for supper or who were Sunday afternoon callers at the neighbors, who hosted bridge or whos baby shower was well attended and enjoyed by all.

That's what this blog is all about, as much as it is about sharing our outdoor adventures and encouraging others to play outdoors. It's also about the characters and friends you make. It's about building relationships and making memories. Weather it's on a bike, boat, or in a blind, get out from behind the computer and become an outdoor addict.

It's old river rats like Jim and my dad that make coming down to the Loup a trip worth taking every chance we get.

Airboat ride to a trout spot.

After shooting my dad took us up stream on the Loup in the airboat to visit one of his 'river friends' who invited my boy to try his luck in his stocked trout pond. After struggling with the moss on the edge of the pond he elected to just wade out past it. While he was unable to land a trout, he did hook a large mouth and bluegill.

Can't complain about the fishing!

I got this cat on my first cast. We caught 3 more just like it in the next 20 minutes. And two more big ones a while after that.

Watched the city fade away in the rearview mirror.

Our youngest and I left Lincoln this afternoon for a few days on the Loup River to Turkey hunt, fish and camp. This get-a-way is overdue!

2009 Wrap-up and 2010 Goals & Aspirations.

Pic lifted from My Kind of Country

What a great year to spend time outdoors! The NOA blog had 500 posts in just over 9 months! And 7,095 unique hits since the end of March. I've had a great time sharing my adventures with you and hope you've made an effort to spend more time outdoors.

You've seen our family have a ton of fun outside and watched me mature as a cyclist. I started riding in 2008 and put on 2,000 miles. During 2009 I racked up an additional 4,681.78 miles on the bike and blog readers have followed me on the following outdoor adventures:

91 round trip commutes to work and back (aprox 20 miles)

10 one way work commutes (aprox 10 miles)

Our 11 yr olds purchase of a new Felt MTB from Bike Pedalers

My first endo at Wilderness Park

Shooting at Lincoln's Izzak Walton

Bike riding on York's trail

Phil Keoghan's Coast to Coast book signing

4-wheeler riding with our 17 yr old at Halsey Forest

My Hunter Education Class

Bike riding on Columbus' trail system

The Ride of Silence

Fishing trips

Airboating on the Loup River

Camping

Biking to Southpoint's Friday Nights Live Concert

Biketacular & the return of the Capital City Criterium cycling races

Riding to Beatrice

The Haymarket Farmers Market

The GPBC Slow & Go ride

The 5-day Tour De Nebraska

Seward's Firecracker Ride

Larry the Cable Guy's 4th of July Show at Memorial Stadium

Riding to the Uncle Sam Jam fireworks show

Riding the Prairie Spirit Trail in KS once from Ottawa to Richmond and once Garnett to Iola

Two rides to Bennet

My first fixie ride

The Cairo Cornstalk Festival

Many canoe rides at Holmes Lake

The Cornhusker State Games Century Tour and Opening Ceremonies

The Wilbur Czech Festival ride

The BBC Rollin' To The River ride

3 Taco Rides in Iowa

The GPTN Discovery Ride

The Heatstroke 100 ride

My first century followed by two more later in the summer

Bass Fishing in North Central KS

The State Fair

The Bike Swap

CROPS walk bike ride

LPD bike auction

Several bike rides to Cortland

23 Tuesday night Nacho Rides

Our 11 yr old's 2 turkeys in one shot

Biking to my first Husker football game and 1st Stars hockey game

The purchase of my new Felt Z-70 road bike from Bike Pedalers

Bike Pedalers grand-opening party and Race Across the Sky after party

Loup Valley's annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet

The 350.org ride

3 Critical Mass rides

A ride to Raymond

2 rides to Ceresco

Riding to church

Riding on Grand Island's trails

Our 11 yr olds first buck and my buck during this year's rifle season

2 of Pepe's Free Bike Commuter Breakfasts

2 Tuesday night rides with the hipsters to Pepe's

3 alley cat races

Snowmobiling and sledding on Christmas-eve.

I'm not bragging, just wanted to see a tally, but it's not about the numbers, it's about the fun I've had. And I'm so thankful for all the great people I've met and spent time and miles with during 2009.

I'm healthier, happier, greener, more responsible, fun and social than I've ever been. I'm looking forward to building on the time we've spent outdoors and making 2010 the best year yet.

My big cycling/blog goals for next year:

10,000 unique hits on the NOA blog during 2010.

25 NOA followers and 500 facebook friends by the end of 2010.

Another year with no serious wrecks.

6,000 miles on the bike during 2010.

5 Centuries during 2010.

125 round trip work commutes during 2010.

And another tour during 2010.

Hope to see you spending time with friends and family outdoors in the year to come!!!

Have a Happy New Year!!!

Fishing in N. Central Ks.

While the girls visited and went to church. The boys and I were guided on a great large mouth and pan fish pond tour. We caught a ton and enjoyed a whole day of great weather and excellent fishing! A special thanks to our wonderful hostes for a weekend our family will never forget.

Bass Pro Shops In Council Bluffs

During one of the small rain storms I went to Bass Pro for the first time in Council Bluffs. This is just a small part of the store.

This gentleman tries his hand at the shooting gallery. The store is huge and a 'must see' if your ever that way.

NGPC Family Fishing - This Wed. Night & All Morning Sat.

2009 Family Fishing Nights

Nebraska’s Youth Fishing Program is sponsoring Family Fishing Nights at Lincoln Metro area lakes.

Look for our white Urban Fisheries Trailer, where rods and reels, as well as bait and fishing instruction are available to participants. This is the perfect opportunity for people who have never fished or haven’t fished for years.

All participants ages 16 or older need a 2009 fishing license if they fish at the event.

DAY DATE LAKE TIME

Wed. June 24 Bowling Lake 6-8 p.m.

Sat. June 27 Pawnee Lake 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. Carp-O-Rama MORE HOURS TO FISH!

Take me fishing, you can think about work later.

Find out more at the Nebraska Game and Parks Site. Omaha Family Fishing dates are listed too.

Never shoot at a hard surface or water.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims family and the shooter and his family. This is one of the cardinal rules taught in Hunter Education. Please take the class if you haven't and be sure to follow all safety rules. Click here to read the full story.

Our youngest's 'outdoor' B-day party with friends.

Our youngest had boys from his class out to Holmes Lake for a 'outdoor' birthday party. They rode bikes, had squirt gun fights, canoed, fished and ate.

Afterword his friend Brady took him sailing out on his boat. Everyone had a great time and our youngest enjoyed a birthday weekend he'll never forget.

Before the party I tried to get in a few miles and took the Billy Wolff to the Rock Island to the Tierra Williamsburg to the Southpoint, then back on the Rock Island and Billy Wolff for a total of 17.85 miles.

A special thanks to everyone who made this weekend so fun for our youngest. And being a part of it all was a good time for me too, and helped take the sting out of his birthday.

Our youngest's new vacation home & big cat.

We gave our youngest a vacation home (tent) for his birthday. I took him to my parents' Loup River ground to try it out. After sitting by the camp fire under a star filled sky he slept like a rock in it.

This morning he swam, then we went fishing out of the air boat. He caught several including this lunker he found near the fork of the South Loup and Middle Loup. I got a couple too, but, as usual he out fished me again.

There were tons of locals there for the weekend and we had a feast for supper. It's great to get out of the city and spend time up at the river.

11 becomes 12 as an outdoorsman emerges and his hero steps aside.

As Wallace Stegner observed: "...there is a time somewhere between the ages of five and twelve which corresponds to the phase ethologists have isolated in the development of birds, when an impression lasting only a few seconds may be imprinted on the young bird for life. This is the way a bird emerging from the darkness of the egg knows itself, the mechanism of its relating to the world. Expose a just hatched duckling to an alarm clock, or a wooden decoy on rollers, or a man, or any other object that moves and makes a noise, and it will react for life as if that object were its mother. Expose a child to a particular environment at his susceptible time and he will perceive in the shapes of that environment until he dies."

It is with grave concern that I announce to the world wide web that our 11 year old is just days away from becoming 12. I shudder as I see the window into his subconscious closing. His sponge of a mind is nearly saturated with experiences. Brain cells are developing at an alarming rate, creating a rational and logical tween where an awe struck lad once stood. The magic will soon be gone and he’ll spend the better part of his remaining years trying to rekindle the memories he’s made already.

As a parent and an outdoorsman, I feel like I’ve failed to pack as much of the outdoors into his head as I could have during the short handful of formative years we had together.

Statistics show that those who were not exposed to outdoor sports such as fishing and hunting as kids have around a 3% chance of partaking in those activities as adults. The number of outdoors-people is dwindling with no end in site. And I tried, as best I knew how, to instill into each of our kids the enjoyment and responsibilities of recreating outdoors. Now, as the youngest of our children bikes, swims, paddles or steps his hunting boots across that line in the sand. He’ll have more neurons connecting than ever, sending pulses of ambition to establish himself as a teen, then adult, and prove his worth to the world.

I pray that he will be reminded of:

Riding on the Billy Wolff Trail behind Hobby Lobby when he smells lilacs.

What a target perfectly lined up in his sites looks like when his fingertip touches cold steel.

How no worldly invention can be as therapeutic as warm loup river sand eroding from under bare feet.

That a puffed out chest and ear to ear smile just don’t seem right without a fish in your hand and dad pointing a camera at you.

Every weedeater or chainsaw exhaust smell beckons him back to the scent of his childhood 2-stroke ATV.

How grown-up the punishing kick of his new rifle’s first shot made him feel.

Cricket chirps and frog croaks heard from a campfire are possibly as close as you can get to heaven on earth.

How a crushed limestone trail sounds under bike tires and how the vibrations feel through the pedals and handlebars.

The smell of every fall from now on, takes him back to a riverside tree stand in 2008.

The deep-seated need to ‘do it again’ after the nauseating feel of your stomach in your throat and sting in your buns from a fast sleigh ride.

Propane will always smell like a warm duck blind breakfast on a clear and still, cold morning.

The tackiness of sunscreen and bug spray on your skin means good times are soon to be had.

Test riding an immaculate showroom bike necessitates a run through a virgin mud hole, regardless of the expression on the salesman’s face.

Root Beer and cheap chips tastes best from the front of a canoe.

With coveralls on and a shotgun in the back seat, city lights never looked better than in a pick-up mirror.

Of course I’ll continue to nurture (forcibly or otherwise) my interpretation of his love of the outdoors. But I know every outing will have less of an impact as he takes in less of the experience and worries more about whether we’ll get back in time for him to hangout with friends or for a date. The thought of girls, a job, his checkbook, and all the other responsibilities that lie across that line, will distance him from his boyhood outings I was lucky to be a part of. That disgusts me.

He had trouble coming up with what to say when I asked him what he wanted for his birthday. I said, “well, since you can’t think of a good gift anyway… I tell you what… it’s been a fun year, right?” “Yes” he says with a smile. “I thought so, ok, how about this, I’ll go down to the courthouse and have them change your birth-certificate so it’ll say you were born in 98 instead of 97, you can be 11 one more year, and we’ll even spend twice as much on your gift next year since we aren’t buying you one now. You can just skip this birthday.”

He declined.

Can’t say I’m surprised. But if it were up to me, I’d sure appreciate one more year of outdoor fun.

So now, as I trudge up to the courtesy desk of parenting, to exchange my hero’s cape for a has-been’s cane, I can’t help but feel a little sentimental about this ragged old cape.

Sure it looks ruff, with fish slime child-sized hand prints around the collar, it’s tattered and torn by bike wrecks, bloody from successful days in the field. You can shake river sand out of its seams and it smells like bug spray, sunscreen, bike sweat, fall hunts, root beer, campfire smoke, river water, and the love of three children and an adoring wife.

I’ll begrudgingly hand it to the clerk, and take that dang cane. The one that’ll make my kids turn away, when their out with friends, and I come around the corner. Their friends won’t see the cane. But my kids will. They’ll see me as I really am, an embarrassing, bumbling old fart who’s served his purpose and now should be put to pasture. But, mark my word, I’ll be back. Oh yes I will. I’ll stomp right up to that courtesy desk with this dang old cane and demand my cape back! You’ll know it’s me by the awe struck grandchild I’ll have in tow.

May 16th is Free Park Entry and Fishing Day.

Free Fishing & Park Entry DayDate: 5/16/2009

Time: All Day

Location: State Wide

Cost: Free Free Fishing and Park Entry Day.

No park entry permit or fishing license is required.

Buffalo Bill Recreation Area will be hosting a free fishing clinic from 10 am - 3 pm.

Alexandria State Recreation Area will be hosting a free kids fishing clinic from 9:30 am - 3 pm. Door prizes will be drawn at 3 pm and Zebco Rod and Reel will be awarded for Largest Fish, Largest Bluegill, and Largest Crappie (Youth Sixteen and Under). Fishing poles, bait and tackle will be provided to those without fishing equipment. A free hotdog cookout will be provided for participants.

Fort Robinson is offering free jeep rides, hayrack tours, and museum admission from 9 am - 4 pm. A fishing derby for children 12 and younger will be held from 9 am - 12 pm and prizes will be awarded to anyone who enters. A BBQ will be held on the lawn of Fort Rob from 12 pm - 1:30 pm.

Fremont SRA will be hosting a Kid's Fishing Day from 9 am - 12 pm at Lake #3. Food, Fun and Prizes. Bait and Tackle will be provided while supplies last. Platte River is hosting a Fishing Clinic from 9 am - 12 pm. Raffle drawings around 11 am and all kids win a prize.

Chadron State Park will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9:30 am - 2:30 pm.

Lake Minatare will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9 am - 1 pm.

Louisville State Recreation Area will be hosting a fishing clinic at Lake #1 from 9 am - 12 pm.

Eugene T Mahoney SP will be hosting a fishing clinic at the Owen Marina from 9 am - 11 am.

Ponca State Park will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9 am - 8 pm.

Two Rivers State Recreation Area will be hosting a fishing clinic at Lake #1 from 9 am - 12 pm.

Victoria Springs State Recreation Area will be hosting a fishing clinic from 9 am - 6 pm.Contact:

Also:

Nebraska Outdoor Expo - Public Day - May 16, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Fort Kearny SRA. The Expo’s Public Day, May 16 will offer over 30 hands-on skill activities and demonstrations that will make the Outdoor Expo a memorable experience. Family members of all ages, are invited to participate in the FREE fun interactive event. Novice or experience, you are invited to help celebrate Nebraska’s outdoor heritage. Join us at the new location, Fort Kearny Recreation Area (SRA), (located on Highway L50A south of Kearney) for the event of the season.Public Day Activity options include:Enjoy a free day at one of Nebraska’s State Recreation Areas Safety training and shooting 20 gauge shotguns or air guns Archery shooting at bullseye or full-sized animal 3D targets Compete in the 3D trail challenge Instruction and kayaking Visiting a trapper's camp to learn about trapping history and equipment Exploring various campsites Tasting outdoor cooking Hiking and bird watching along park trails Observing hunting dog training techniques Learn turkey hunting techniques from Nebraska’s professions Visiting with conservation officers, viewing law enforcement equipment Attending educational workshops on animal and bird behavior View Nebraska raptors and snakes Learn fish cleaning and cooking techniques Compete in the Nebraska Outdoors Challenge Explore the Kids Outdoors Discovery Dome Kick-off event for Nebraska’s 2009 Great Park Pursuit Outdoor Adventure Program.

See the Nebraska Game and Parks site for more info.

May 16th Fort Kearney State Park Game and Parks Commission to Host Expo

Mark your callendar now to take the family to the Outdoor Expo - it's free.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host Nebraska Outdoors: Expo 2009 on May 14-16 at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area located on Highway L50A south of Kearney. More than 7,500 individuals attended last year's Expo. This will be our first year in a new outdoor location, and we think the move to the Fort Kearny location will significantly enhance this FREE, family-oriented event. With eight lakes, camping areas and plenty of room for outdoor activities and demonstrations, we hope to continue our mission to encourage use and understanding of Nebraska's outdoors.

A wide variety of activities and exhibits are provided for participants to experience hands-on. Outdoor information and skills will be presented by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff as well as Cabela's and participating outdoor interest groups. The activity experiences differentiate the Expo from many sport shows.

The Expo is a free, family-oriented event.Highlights of the 2009 event include: An outdoor classroom for 4-6th grade on May 14 and 15. More than 2,600 students attended these classroom days in 2008; we anticipate this "outdoor classroom" will again be a popular educational event for schools within a 200-mile radius of the Kearney area. A public day from 9 am - 6 pm on Saturday, May 16. Featuring hands-on activities, presenters and a variety of exhibitors, this event attracted thousands of visitors of all ages from around the area last year.

Additional "on the water" experiences for those interested in kayaking, canoeing and fishing. A special kick-off even for Nebraska's 2009 Great Park Pursuit outdoor adventure program.

The Expo is for all skill levels. There is something for everyone, with 45 activities going on throughout the Expo. You can get acquainted with outdoor pursuits you've wanted to get into or pick up information that complements your present interests. You can hone safety shooting skills, see fish sampling equipment work or learn how to attract birds to a backyard feeder. Some activities will focus on specific skills such as canoeing or campfire cooking. Other sessions will add to your knowledge base of the outdoors as in wildlife management or Nebraska's raptors.

Twelve general activity areas are included in the Expo: Archery; Boating; Camping and Park Experiences; Dog Training; Fishing; Fish and wildlife management; Hunting; Law Enforcement; Natural World Encounters; Shooting; Trapping; Wildlife viewing and birding.