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We would like to share with you a little bit of our trip to Kearney Nebraska to celebrate our 35th and to take in the 30th NABS. The whole trip was more than anyone could have asked for as a surprise trip. First we didn't have a trip planned because we are having a big event with Family in August at Osprey Lake this year. So it came as a big surprise to us in late January when we received a call notifying us of this award. Well to go to Nebraska in the late winter why not. Lots of great memories and good times and then there are all those birds. We just love the State Park in Kearney and we wished good friends Bob & Sandra Ewart were with us on the cold mornings and evenings at the Platte standing on the rail trestle.

We packed up the old Bluebird Truck (Sialia) with our snowshoes packed for maybe a possible trek into Yellowstone National Park. Luckily we were steered in the right direction and we were able to snowshoe around Old Faithful and enjoy all of the beautiful things that Yellowstone has to over on winter. Then it was of to Kearney and hoping for mile after mile to see those Sandhill Cranes and bingo just as we were within five miles of Kearney there they were just as if they hadn't left after five long years.

The Holiday Inn was a welcomed site after the long trip. What a great facility to host the 30th NABS and not only that they did some nice additions. We got to all of the attractions that we wanted to and even got to Cabellas. The people of Nebraska have some of the neatest things as the pictures will indicate. Birds and People are number one in Nebraska.

Well we finally got around to registering after a full day and half of touring and birding. We finally see the busiest people of any NABS event and yes you who you are. Please pass this on to all those that volunteered and made this NABS a very special one. Well finally seeing some very nice people after five years made us feel as if we were in there homes. Not enough time to talk as the RED CREW was busy.

Fieldtrips come early and it's going to be cold very cold but nice and sunny. Up at five and bundled like mom had dressed us we were greeted with warm smiles and the site of those big buses NICE. The whole day was warming with every mile we traveled. The history from Don about whole area that we visited this day will be remembered for our next visit and I can tell you it will not be five years. Back to refresh and enjoy a nice meal and be entertained. I must admit that I thought I was going to be bidding against Steve again and I was anticipating that he would bump me out. Thanks we truly are enjoying looking at the Herons.

Always waiting to hear what Al Batt was going to speak about was worth the wait. Every speaker was at there best and we came away more enlightened as to how diverse this world is and how birders and members of NABS appreciate the knowledge that those speakers delivered. The banquet and the award well there are so many others that are deserving of all the efforts that they do with Bluebirding and trying to make this small planet a little bit better. We are honoured and will cherish the award with all of the memorable things that took place on our trip.

We truly do thank you for all of the hard word in all of the organization of this NABS.

Cheers Greg&Terry