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Author: Nebraska Trailblazers

  • Annual Dinner Meeting reservations are now open!

    Just in case the invitation image doesn’t come through in the email, click below: 2024 Annual Dinner Meeting Notice

  • Lights Walk – coming up soon!

    Our annual Lights Walk will be held this Saturday, December 2nd. Thanks to a generous grant from Omaha’s The RiverFront, the normal walk fee will be waived for all participants!

    This is a great family event. We’re offering a 5k or 10k marked route through the Holiday Lights Festival, with directions and map. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome. In the spirit of the season, we are participating in the diaper drive for Lydia House. Diapers, wipes and cash donations will be gratefully accepted.

    When: Saturday, December 2nd. Registration between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., event ends at 8 p.m.

    Where: KANEKO, 1111 Jones Street, Omaha, NE 68102 (metered parking and pay lots are available nearby)
     
    Includes:  Cookies, hot drinks and fun door prizes

  • November – December 2023 newsletter

    Our latest newsletter is now available. Click here to start reading: November – December 2023 Newsletter

    A couple of things to emphasize from the newsletter:

    • Elections for our 2024 Club Officers and 2023 Walker of the Year will start online on November 20th.  Look for your email from netrailblazers@gmail.com. The link is good for two adult club members in the same household. Those who cannot vote online may vote at the December 4th club meeting. All nominees are running unopposed, so unless a nomination “from the floor” is made during voting, voting in person will be limited to either a “yes” or a “no” by voice vote. No ballots will be printed or mailed.
    • Our December 2nd Lights Walk, starting at KANEKO at 4 p.m. looks to be a huge event, based on feedback we’re seeing on Meetup and Facebook. Can you help by bringing cookies? Can you help staff the event? A SignUpGenius link to volunteer was previously sent out. If you missed it, just drop us a line, letting us know how you’d like to help.

  • September – October 2023 newsletter, plus a month’s worth of events

    Our latest newsletter can be found here: September/October 2023 newsletter

    And here’s a quick look at upcoming events for the next month:

    • Friday, September 15 starting from the Plymouth County Historical Museum in LeMars, Iowa, 10 a.m. to noon start times, 5k and 10k routes available, $3 fee. Dogs and strollers welcome on the trail.
    • Wednesday, September 20 starting from the Leahy Mall, 6 p.m. start of “How Sweet It is!” walking tour. Registrations have closed for this event, but email netrailblazers@gmail.com to be put on the wait list. No fee to attend. Dogs not allowed. Not suitable for strollers.
    • Thursday, September 28 starting from Tom Hanafan Park in Council Bluffs. 5k Group Walk starting at 10 a.m. $3 fee. Dogs and strollers welcome.
    • Saturday, September 30 starting from Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City. 5k Group Walk starting at 10 a.m. $3 fee. Dogs and strollers welcome on the trail.
    • Saturday, October 7 starting from Peak Performance in Omaha, 9 a.m. to noon start times, 5k and 10k routes available, $3 fee. 5k Group Walk starting at 10 a.m. $3 fee. Dogs and strollers welcome on the trail.
    • Saturday, October 14 starting from St. James Methodist Church in Bellevue, NE, 10 a.m. start time for 5k or 10k group walk. . $3 fee. Dogs and strollers welcome on the trail.

    Now, for the fine print: 

    • You must come 15 minutes early for all group walks to fill out paperwork and pay required fees. 
    • Details, such as starting point addresses and walk ratings can be found on our website at: 2023 Walk Calendar

  • Pop Up Group Walk on Saturday!

    Saturday, August 5, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.  Let’s explore the new trails at Hitchcock Nature Center, just north of Council Bluffs, Iowa! 
    The group walk will start promptly at 8 a.m. from the Loess Hills Lodge. Come 15 minutes early to pay and to sign paperwork. Remember that there is a $5 per car park entry fee in addition to the $3 per person walk fee.
     
    We will hike a couple of new trails, Prairie Pass and Lotus Loop, approximately 3.3 miles of moderate difficulty. There is an option to go to the ski hills, which adds 1.6 slightly more difficult miles. Recommend sturdy shoes, walking sticks, water and insect repellent. This walk has great views, but expect some hilly hiking. Camping available. This walk is not stroller friendly but leashed dogs are allowed.
     
    Hitchcock Nature Center is located at 27792 Ski Hill Loop, Honey Creek, IA.
     

  • July – August 2023 Newsletter

    Our latest newsletter is available here: July – August 2023 Newsletter

    Since the newsletter comes out on a bimonthly basis, you’ll want to stay informed on new walks and events as they are created. How? You have several options:

  • Just Announced! – Flanagan Lake 5k Group Walk

    Walk one of the newest lake trails in the area at Flanagan Lake. Walk is on paved trail around this beautiful lake. Enjoy some unique benches to rest on as you walk. Please arrive 15 minutes early to register and start walking promptly at 6. $3 walk fee – exact change is appreciated.

    Easy trail for strollers. Leashed dogs are welcome.

    17401 Ida St. Take Dodge St. or Maple St. to 168th St. North on 168th to Ida St. West on Ida St. to entrance on your left.

  • Omaha Downtown Walk – OSB Only for a while!

    Our Historic Downtown year-round walk is temporarily available only by using the Online Start Box method. The physical start box was thrown away by the new operators of the motel where the box had been housed for many years. We are searching for a new home for a physical start box, closer to the start point of the walk. We’ll also be rolling out a new route in mid-August, to celebrate the completion of The RiverFront’s vision of linking the Gene Leahy Mall with Heartland of America Park and Lewis and Clark Landing. 

    In the meantime, please see the link on the AVA website to access registration via the Online Start Box. 

  • May-June newsletter, June Walks and looking ahead to September!

    Our May-June newsletter is available here: May-June Newsletter  Remember,  only club members receive the full newsletter shortly after publication. Want to become a club member? Print out this application and mail it in with your payment.

    If you get our “Trail Mail” e-newsletter, all of the following information will sound familiar. “Trail Mail” is open to anyone who wants to receive our irregular e-newsletter with updates on walks and upcoming events. Sign up via the website pop-up or send an email to netrailblazers@gmail.com.

    Saturday, June 3rd, 9:30 a.m. start time for 5k and 11k Group Walk for National Trails Day. Seymour Smith Park, 6802 Harrison Street, Omaha, NE 68127
     $3 fee to walk. Leashed dogs are welcome. Seymour Smith Park at 72nd and Harrison Streets in Omaha will be the starting point of our exploration of the Keystone and Papio Trails. We’ll start walking as a group at 9:30 a.m.  Your choice to walk 5 km or 11 km on flat, paved trails, suitable for strollers and great for leashed dogs. Meet in the southeast corner of the big parking lot (the northern one) a few minutes early to sign the waiver and pay the $3 fee. This qualifies as a Volksmarch for AVA/IVV credit.

    Saturday, June 24th, 10:00 a.m. start time for 5k Group Walk to honor Bonnie Christensen during Chuck Wagon Days. Adair City Park, 401 – 449 4th St, Adair, IA 50002

    Join Iowa’s Walking Club in Adair, Iowa, for a 5K group walk and a chance to remember charter club member Bonnie Christensen. $3 fee for all walkers; this qualifies as a Volksmarch for AVA/IVV credit. Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Adair City Park. The walk is being held in conjunction with Adair’s annual Chuck Wagon Days, and the park will be hosting multiple events.

    The walk will begin promptly at 10:00 to avoid conflict with the Chuck Wagon Days Parade that begins at 10:30 and passes by the park. The walk will pass by an honor roll of Adair veterans who served in WWII, through residential areas, venturing briefly into Guthrie County and through downtown, past City Hall, and past the Methodist Church where Bonnie was a member and sang in the choir.

    The park’s main entrance will be closed. From I-80 Exit 76, head north on 5th Street (White Pole Road) past the main park entrance. Continue north on 5th Street and take the next right (Stuart Street), then turn right at 4th Street to enter the park. Look for the blue and white Iowa’s Walking Club banner. Restrooms and parking are available in the park.

    Monday, September 4, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Pleasant Valley Rock School House – 150 Year Celebration Walk, 3.7 miles SE of Table Rock, Nebraska on Railroad Drive/628th Ave

    Help celebrate this one-room schoolhouse’s 150th anniversary by walking the route many children walked to and from school on the day before the traditional school year started. Lunch will be available with beer and brats, water, and polka music in beer tent. Walking sticks and bug spray strongly recommended due to the terrain. $3 fee for all walkers; this qualifies as a Volksmarch for AVA/IVV credit.

    Take NE-50 S to Vine St in Table Rock, then take Railroad Drive for 3.7 miles to 628 Avenue. School will be on the right. More complete driving directions at https://my.ava.org/event-view.php?sn=124361

    Regional Roundup September 15 – 17, 2023, hosted by GDMVA: Iowa’s Walking Club. See the flyer posted on our website for all details and walks and to sign up for meals and t-shirts by August 18th. Preregistration for the walks is NOT necessary. The host hotel for this weekend is Grand Stay Hotel & Suites, 2679 Rock Ridge Drive, Rock Valley, IA.

    Friday, September 15, 10 a.m. to noon, Plymouth County Historical Museum
    335 1st Ave SW, Le Mars, IA 51031 (part of the Regional Roundup)

    The Trailblazers will host the walk in Le Mars, Iowa, the Ice Cream Capital of the World! You can walk this walk at any time during the Roundup, by going to the host hotel and registering, but we will be staffing the walk in person on Friday, September 15th from 10 a.m. to noon. Please finish by 3. The museum is open for visitors from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

  • 2 More Group Walks – Just Scheduled!

    Monday, May 8th, 5:30 p.m. – Lake Manawa State Park, Shelter 5 (no park entrance fee).

    Meet at Shelter #5 a little before 5:30 to sign the waiver. Cost of walk is $3. You do NOT need to pay out of state registration fees as long as you park near the shelter. The 5K will be on paved trail and park roads. The 10K will be a mix of grass and paved trail. Leashed dogs welcome.

    Directions to Lake Manawa:
    I-80/29 Local to Exit 49, South Expressway. Right (south) on South Expressway to Veterans Memorial Hwy (US 275/92). Left (east) on Veterans Memorial Hwy to first stop light (E. Manawa Drive). Right (south) on E. Manawa Drive to stop sign where it becomes S. Shore Dr. West on S. Shore Dr. to Bass Road toward beach and playground. Right (north) on Bass Road to Walleye Rd. Left (west) on Walleye Rd. to parking for Shelter 4 & 5. Watch for yellow AVA sign. Shelter 5 is on the east end of parking lot.
    If you miss I-80 Local, follow the interstate to I-29 south and take Exit 47. Left at the traffic light (Vets Memorial Hwy, 275/92) to E. Manawa Dr. Left (south) on E. Manawa Dr. then follow the above directions

    Saturday, June 3rd, 9:30 a.m. – National Trails Day Walk, starting from Seymour Smith Park, 72nd & Harrison Streets in Omaha. 

    Seymour Smith Park at 72nd and Harrison Streets in Omaha will be the starting point of our exploration of the Keystone and Papio Trails. We’ll start walking as a group at 9:30 a.m.  Your choice to walk 5 km or 11 km on flat, paved trails, suitable for strollers and great for leashed dogs. Meet in the southeast corner of the big parking lot (the northern one) a few minutes early to sign the waiver and pay the $3 fee. This qualifies as a Volksmarch for AVA/IVV credit.