By Gordon Smith, F399703
October 2016
Fifteen motorhomes from the Colorado Columbines chapter arrived on May 11, 2016, at the Holiday RV Park and Campground in North Platte, Nebraska, for the group’s first rally outside the Mountain time zone. What a rally it was! Rally hosts were Gene and Sue Hall, Herb and Diann Corliss, and Gordon and Joan Smith.
Holiday RV Park management efficiently parked and registered us. We highly recommend the campground, an FMCA commercial member.
North Platte, a western Nebraska town of 24,000 residents just off Interstate 80, offers plenty to do, much of it centered on a train theme. Chapter members enjoyed the Union Pacific Bailey Yard. It’s the world’s largest railroad classification yard, a place where railway cars are separated onto various tracks. At the Cody Park Railroad Museum, a club picture was taken in front of the Union Pacific Challenger 3977 steam locomotive, and members toured the railcars and a diesel locomotive.
The Lincoln County Historical Museum was a highlight. It tells the story of the North Platte Canteen, where the women of North Platte and surrounding towns and states greeted World War II troops when their trains made short stops in town. Every troop train was met regardless of the time of day or night. Troops received food, drinks, and encouragement — more than 6 million meals in all. Writer Bob Greene told the story of this remarkable achievement in his book Once Upon a Town: The Miracle of the North Platte Canteen.
Grain Bin Antique Town also was a popular stop, as was the 20th Century Veterans Memorial and Fort McPherson National Cemetery, the latter in nearby Maxwell, Nebraska. At Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, we visited Col. William F. Cody’s elegant home and massive barn, which are beautifully maintained.
As usual, the rally food was outstanding, topped off by “hobo stew” on Saturday night. Befitting the train theme, members came dressed as hobos, and prizes were awarded for creative costumes.
We welcomed three new member families to our chapter on this outing. Colorado Columbines’ 25 member families consist of 53 people, including three honorary members.
The chapter was founded by charter member Dick Greener and others in Loveland, Colorado, and chartered on December 6, 1992. Members reside along the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies. Club members have attended and volunteered at FMCA international conventions and Rocky Mountain Area rallies.
From May through September each year, the chapter has five monthly campouts at various locations, most along the Front Range of the Rockies. A Christmas party is held in December. New members are always welcome. Contact chapter president Gordon Smith at (970) 339-3662, gksmithins@comcast.net; or vice president Diann Corliss at (970) 590-1824, dcrlss@msn.com.
Fifteen motorhomes from the Colorado Columbines chapter arrived on May 11, 2016, at the Holiday RV Park and Campground in North Platte, Nebraska, for the group’s first rally outside the Mountain time zone. What a rally it was!