and the Continuing Adventures of “Flat Stanley” 

Omaha, Nebraska

Stanley and I jumped on an airplane in Boise, Idaho, our base of operations, and headed east to Omaha, Nebraska via Minneapolis. From the moment we got to the airport, Stanley was once again, a big celebrity…

Once we got on the airplane, the flight crew treated Stanley like an absolute King!  Anything and everything that he needed for his personal comfort was a simple request away for him… they even let him visit the pilot area called the “cockpit”.

That is Stanley sitting on the throttles for the jet. (I had to promise to paint out the flight instruments … sorry about that … they were like little TV screens. 

The work started for Stanley and I when we went “wheels down” (landed) in Omaha.  

Mr. “Lunchbox” Bob picked us up in the TONY truck at the airport and drove us to our hotel. It was very late and we had a big day just ahead of us. 

During our trip to Omaha, we got to visit several schools in the area. Stanley was right there with me at all of them. In fact, my boss, Tony The Tiger joined us too.

In the picture above and left, Stanley is with some kids from Willowdale Elementary School (and my boss TONY). The picture at right, was taken at Ackerman Elementary during their assembly.

Stanley, Mr. Lunch Box Bob and I, met some really cool kids at a place called “Skinner Magnet Center”.  We got to put the balloon up for the students there too. Skinner was one of the best schools we’ve ever visited. The school is the focal point (center) of the entire community and I’ve never seen such pride. Their school is 8 years old and it looks like it just opened last week. What a “Gr-r-reat” Place. (Stanley was impressed too) 

The real reason Stanley and I went to Omaha was to take part in the Boy Scout Jamboree. 15,000 Scouts from all over the mid west came to a place called Mahoney State Park and camped out for three days. (Stanley and I decided we would stay in our hotel, we kind of enjoy cable TV and room service)… anyway… the good news was, that we got to put the balloon up three times for the scouts to see … in fact, Stanley recruited several Scouts and their leaders to help us.

Something very strange happened to Stanley and I at the Jamboree. Thousands and thousands of “Lady Bugs” swarmed all over the TONY Balloon. Lots of them even flew up inside the balloon. (I mean THOUSANDS).  

Did I mention that male “Lady Bugs” bite? 

With our work done in Omaha, Stanley and I jumped on a plane for our return to Boise.

(Lunch Box Bob had to drive back … ick !) 

We really had to hurry because in one day, Stanley, Miss Laurie and all of the gang at Lighter Than Air America had to leave for Pendleton, Oregon to host a balloon rally for 35 of our ballooning friends.