A Nebraska vacation

Well, now that the jacuzzi fiasco is a matter of public record, it is time to move on to other things. I am glad that so many folks enjoyed the story . . . I do have more! Let’s see . . . there’s my continuing urge for getting into the wrong vehicle, sometimes with strange people in them and sometimes not. Then there’s my obsessive-compulsive requirement that each section of all daily papers be read in the alphabetical or numerical order printed, AND put back in that same order before being recycled. Don’t even ask about packing for a trip or following a recipe!
But it’s time for one of my informational columns, so that I can do my job and educate folks to some degree.
Many Nebraskans have been, or will be, taking advantage of some of the many, various vacation activities across the state: exciting indoor and outdoor sport events, musical concerts, archaeological digs, tracing pioneer and Native American history, ethnic festivals and celebrations, dining opportunities, nationally acclaimed museum and zoos and a calendar crammed full of events to suit anyone’s fancy and an affordability that’s second to none.
Now’s the time for those who haven’t yet had the pleasure of experiencing the fun that comes with a Nebraska vacation, now’s a perfect time to find out. Here are just a few good reasons:

— AAA recently named Nebraska as one of the top five most affordable vacation destinations in the United States, with average daily vacation costs for a family of four well below then national average.

— May 10-18 celebrates the 25th Annual National Tourism Week, a time dedicated to celebrating, and learning about, the plethora of tourism opportunities throughout the United States. This year’s theme, “Discover Great American Traditions,” couldn’t be any more appropriate for Nebraska. Where better to showcase our All-American events and hospitality to those looking for exactly that kind experience . . . especially to those willing to pay for it?
Learn about our state’s pioneer history and development along the Mormon, Oregon and California Trails, and stand in some of the actual ruts made by the thousands of covered wagons at Scottbluff National Monument. Follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark in eastern Nebraska. Tour the majestic state capitol building in Lincoln. Visualize the Wild West as it once was at Buffalo Bill’s Ranch in North Platte.
Watch as 10 million-year-old fossils are actually being uncovered at Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, one of 10 best digs in the nation. Learn about the history of transportation at the Great Platte River Road Archway near Kearney. Spend a day at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, a world class attraction featuring the world’s largest indoor rainforest and desert geodome. Sample some of the finest wine in the nation at any of the growing number of Nebraska wineries.
View the annual spring migration of three quarters of the world’s population of Sandhill cranes and hundreds of thousands of duck and geese as they make a six week stay in the tri-city area . . . the only place in the world that it happens. Visit the world’s largest Native American bookstore and the country’s only marble museum right here in York.

— Take advantage of Nebraska Tourism Group Travel Planner or Road Trip planners online. Find a day trip near your home and get there and back on one tank of gas.
Find events in small communities near your home and mark your calendars now. Go to www.visitnebraska.org   for more information and star planning your trip today. The York County Visitors Bureau also has Trips On A Tankful written by Todd Kirshenbaum, providing 14 different exciting suggestion for day trip based out of York/York County and one tank of gas. Stop by our office to pick up your free copy.

— Tourism is a perfect way to support the economy. Nationwide, the U.S. travel industry directly employees 7.5 million people, which generates a payroll of $178 billion and tax revenues of about 100 billion. The Travel Industry of America ranks travel fifth among 20 major private industry sectors. Visitors to the U.S. spent more than U.S. residents traveling abroad, creating a positive balance of trade of $8.3 billion for the national economy. Travel expenditures within the U.S. total $740 billion. That makes tourism the third largest earner of revenue from outside the state after agriculture and manufacturing. Travelers spent over $3.5 billion providing over 42,000 jobs attributable to travel spending in Nebraska. Who says tourism isn’t important in Nebraska?
The York County Visitors Bureau and the York Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer a very special customer service training session on June 3 featuring York native Jeanne Baer. This session titled “The Good, The Mad and The Ugly: Service Success Strategies”, will be from 10-12 at the Chances ‘R’ Beer Garden, and a great opportunity to show front-line employees how to deal with those difficult people as well as the economic importance of good customer service. For Chamber members, your first five staff members are FREE . . . any additional employees can attend at just $5/person. For non-Chamber members the fee is $10/person. There is also an optional lunch at Chances ‘R’ for an additional $10/person. Registrations are due by May 30 and seating is limited, so don’t wait to make your reservation.