060809 – Boys town
060809 – Boys town
Nebraska
Monday, August 07, 2006
Highway 29 from Independence, Missouri actually runs thru Kansas, back to Missouri , then Iowa and finally Omaha.
We spent the night in Council Bluffs, Iowa then headed out in the morning for Freedom Park in search of the Naval Museum. I’m going to have to learn not to be so dependant on my GPS and not so trusting of things I read in travel suggestion notes.
First, my GPS got us as far as the Omaha Correctional Facility and then dead ended. Pulling out a conventional map, I re-routed the Beast to the highway and found a road sign to Freedom Park. It lead us to a small marina and a fenced in area with a few navy planes, vehicles and a Mine Sweeper. The first sign claimed it to be the Naval Museum, and the second sign reported it as temporarily closed. Well, at least we did find it.
Next on our list was The Old Toy Museum in Omaha and that building was up for sale and unoccupied. As we sought out the Strategic Air and Space Museum, things seemed suspiciously wrong. The address was a side street, containing a lots of small cottage type offices – mostly medical, but there was a sign over one which did indeed say STRATEGIC AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. On closer inspection, there was no doorway and on inquiry with nearby offices, no one knew anything about it. I finally went on line, found it and directions. It’s in Ashland, about 25 miles out of town. I hope we have better luck tomorrow.
The weather has cooled down to high 70s with periodic rain. At least a break from the heat, but apparently only temporarily.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
BOYS TOWN, Nebraska
From early evening thru the night and all morning we were serenaded by tremendous rains storms on our roof. Checked for water spots and the Beast is holding up quite well except for a small leak in the seal of a side forward window. Pretty minor but differcult to pinpoint.
In the rain, we headed for BOYS TOWN, not knowing what to expect. It turned out to be a wonderful experience.
When I was a little guy, anytime my brother or I would get into trouble, my Dad would threaten to send us to Father Flanagan’s BOYS TOWN. In those days, we would get requests for donations in the mail many times a year, and each time one would be delivered, Dad would tell us that Father Flanagan was checking up on us. WE didn’t have to know too much about BOYS TOWN other than we didn’t want to be sent there. It was enough to get our attention and improve our behavior for a little while at least.
At the visitors center, we were given a brief lecture on the make-up of the area and a small map for a self tour. As the rain stopped, we were able to drive around the grounds and were truly impressed, The “town” is really a small village, like “Mayberry USA”, with its own Post Office, Fire and Rescue Station, High School, sports stadium, auditorium, medical clinic and vocational training facilities.
The most beautiful sight was the residential area – not dorms or barracks, but real homes (72 of them) , on winding, tree lined streets with manicured lawns and swing sets in the back. Each home contains a “family” consisting of 2 teacher (a married couple) and 6-8 children, ages 10-18. Each child has his own room.
Since 1979, they have accepted girls and hence have renamed the village Girls and BOYS TOWN.
There were no gates, or fences, or any other form of enclosures. It just looked like a beautiful neighborhood that you could be proud to live in.
`
The Historical building was quite educational and chronicled the simple beginnings of Father Flanagan and his desire to help lost and wayward boys. He envisioned the future of our country in their hands. His dedication and efforts were extraordinary and involved children all over the world, as he was called by President Truman to work with post war refugee children in Europe.
The visit left me quite moved. Gee Dad, you were right about wanting me to go to BOYS TOWN … I think everyone should see it..
Nebraska
Monday, August 07, 2006
Highway 29 from Independence, Missouri actually runs thru Kansas, back to Missouri , then Iowa and finally Omaha.
We spent the night in Council Bluffs, Iowa then headed out in the morning for Freedom Park in search of the Naval Museum. I’m going to have to learn not to be so dependant on my GPS and not so trusting of things I read in travel suggestion notes.
First, my GPS got us as far as the Omaha Correctional Facility and then dead ended. Pulling out a conventional map, I re-routed the Beast to the highway and found a road sign to Freedom Park. It lead us to a small marina and a fenced in area with a few navy planes, vehicles and a Mine Sweeper. The first sign claimed it to be the Naval Museum, and the second sign reported it as temporarily closed. Well, at least we did find it.
Next on our list was The Old Toy Museum in Omaha and that building was up for sale and unoccupied. As we sought out the Strategic Air and Space Museum, things seemed suspiciously wrong. The address was a side street, containing a lots of small cottage type offices – mostly medical, but there was a sign over one which did indeed say STRATEGIC AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. On closer inspection, there was no doorway and on inquiry with nearby offices, no one knew anything about it. I finally went on line, found it and directions. It’s in Ashland, about 25 miles out of town. I hope we have better luck tomorrow.
The weather has cooled down to high 70s with periodic rain. At least a break from the heat, but apparently only temporarily.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
BOYS TOWN, Nebraska
From early evening thru the night and all morning we were serenaded by tremendous rains storms on our roof. Checked for water spots and the Beast is holding up quite well except for a small leak in the seal of a side forward window. Pretty minor but differcult to pinpoint.
In the rain, we headed for BOYS TOWN, not knowing what to expect. It turned out to be a wonderful experience.
When I was a little guy, anytime my brother or I would get into trouble, my Dad would threaten to send us to Father Flanagan’s BOYS TOWN. In those days, we would get requests for donations in the mail many times a year, and each time one would be delivered, Dad would tell us that Father Flanagan was checking up on us. WE didn’t have to know too much about BOYS TOWN other than we didn’t want to be sent there. It was enough to get our attention and improve our behavior for a little while at least.
At the visitors center, we were given a brief lecture on the make-up of the area and a small map for a self tour. As the rain stopped, we were able to drive around the grounds and were truly impressed, The “town” is really a small village, like “Mayberry USA”, with its own Post Office, Fire and Rescue Station, High School, sports stadium, auditorium, medical clinic and vocational training facilities.
The most beautiful sight was the residential area – not dorms or barracks, but real homes (72 of them) , on winding, tree lined streets with manicured lawns and swing sets in the back. Each home contains a “family” consisting of 2 teacher (a married couple) and 6-8 children, ages 10-18. Each child has his own room.
Since 1979, they have accepted girls and hence have renamed the village Girls and BOYS TOWN.
There were no gates, or fences, or any other form of enclosures. It just looked like a beautiful neighborhood that you could be proud to live in.
`
The Historical building was quite educational and chronicled the simple beginnings of Father Flanagan and his desire to help lost and wayward boys. He envisioned the future of our country in their hands. His dedication and efforts were extraordinary and involved children all over the world, as he was called by President Truman to work with post war refugee children in Europe.
The visit left me quite moved. Gee Dad, you were right about wanting me to go to BOYS TOWN … I think everyone should see it..
posted by The Highway Guys @ 2:48 PM
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