July 08, 2015 Activity Update – US Route 6 – Aprylle Gilbert reaches Nebraska

US Route 6 is making history in July 2015. Aprylle Gilbert is the first long distance runner to attempt running the entire 3, 654 miles across US Route 6 and has now entered the state of Nebraska as of July 7.

Please see the attached information of her first press release for Nebraska, A route 6 flyer, and a Route 6 Letter that explains more about her cause, and why this is so exciting for Nebraska.

Our goal in Nebraska is to show her (and her driver some great Nebraska Hospitality. ) This has already begun with her stay in Imperial last night at Tim & Jacqueline Greens home. Today, July 8, runners from Wauneta, NE met her on old Highway 6 which goes by the “little Grand Canyon and has been given more great hospitality. She will be staying at their new Bed and Breakfast which is located right next to the historic Wauneta Roller Mills (still in operation) They are hosting her for lunch and dinner this evening thru the efforts of their chamber.

Thursday night,- July 9 Aprylle and her driver have a room reservation waiting for them at the Chief Motel sponsored by the Chief Motel and D & L Pest Control -current members of US Route 6 association. Dinner plans are in the works as well.
We are looking for anyone interested in running the Old us Route 6 Route in McCook with Aprylle on Friday morning. (exact time tba (call me for more details 402-699-5494) It will be a great photo opportunity and we hope to have someone holding a couple of our historic road signs for this opportunity.

Friday, 10th if all goes according to schedule, Bill Baumbach from Indianola will support Aprylle thru their town. They have several other route 6 members in their community. Possible some runners may join them from their cross country team or other interested parties. She will pass thru Bartley, where there are members there and they may join her as well on her run. Cambridge is the next town, and we are working on finalizing details on her stay in Cambridge for Friday night.

Arapahoe chamber, has been very helpful as well, and we are finding hosts for her dinner and lodging there. The Arapahoe Hotel, (cabins build in the 1930’s have already agreed to host for the night there)

We are getting assistance from former executive director, Ashley Hoffmann Thompson as she has contacts in the larger towns of Holdrege Minden and Hastings, and Sutton. So stay tuned. It is becoming big news for US Route 6. Remember to like us on Facebook & post any pictures (photo credits given) check out our website at USRoute6tour.com, We invite you to be a member of the US Route6 Tourist association as well.

Please call me with any questions 402-699-5494, email me at marciajkuiper@yahoo.com, or usroute6nebraska@gmail.com. to let me know how you can help.

Anticipated arrival in Holdredge July 12, Minden, July 13, Hastings July 14, Sutton, July 15, Friend July 16, Milford, July 17, Lincoln, July 18, Gretna, July 19, Omaha, July 20. We are hoping with a weeks notice that we may be able to have a bigger meet, greet, or possible concert in Lincoln and Omaha areas, before she leaves Nebraska. These are approximate dates only, contact me for further updates and pass along this news to your local civic organizations, newspapers, etc.

Marcia Kuiper
Executive Director
US Route 6 Nebraska

From the Mountains to the Prairie for Charity! Press Release 20150707

Nebraska Border – When Gilbert crossed the Colorado border into Nebraska today, her charity run brought her nearly half-way across the continental United States with 2,011 miles to go. 1,982 miles since she began running on April 28, 2015 (1,641 of these miles run on Route 6), Gilbert turns her sights to America’s Heartland.
Later this summer, when her run ends in Massachusetts, she will be the first person to run Route 6 from coast to coast. Click the image to view the PDF file

Gilbert-Route-6-Run-07072015 Gilbert-Route-6-Run-07072015-2

July 07, 2015 Activity Update

Hello all:
Aprylle started her run yesterday morning 25 miles west of Holyoke. It was a cool, pleasant day for running. 

She reached Haxtun by 11:30. There some children greeted her with signs they had made welcoming her and thanking her for "Helping the Kids". Two runners joined her: Jonetta Anderson for 4.5 miles and Rebecca Ensminger for 9 miles. 

She reached Holyoke at 5:15. There she was greeted by Mayor Orville Tonsing who presented her with a gold "Holyoke Dollar" and pin. Also present were Councilman John Schneider, Holyoke Chamber Executive Director Mary Tomky, Darcy Tomky of the Holyoke Enterprise, and myself. After stopping to eat, Aprylle continued her run about 6 miles east of Holyoke when darkness overtook her. She has picked up from that point this morning, and continues her run towards Imperial, Nebraska which is her goal this evening. I will make one more report from there before turning the task over to the Nebraska folks. 

                  Ken Oltjenbruns 
                  Executive Director
                  Colorado US Route 6
                  Tourist Association 

July 06, 2015 Activity Update

Sent: 7/6/2015 6:58:14 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time
Subj: Aprylle's Run

Hello All:

Aprylle ran from Hillrose to Sterling on Saturday, July 4. On Sunday she ran from Sterling to Fleming, and about 3 miles east of Fleming she ran into rain and had to stop at 25 miles for the day. Her goal is 30 to 33 miles per day. Anyway it was time to drive on ahead the 25 miles to Holyoke to a delicious picnic dinner at Steve and Cherrie Brown's house. She stayed the night there. Today she is running the 25 miles into Holyoke and 5 to 10 additional miles beyond. The plan is to drive back to Holyoke for a second night at the Browns' house. If all goes according to plan she should cross over into Nebraska around 11:00 Tuesday morning. I will send another update at time.

Ken Oltjenbruns
Executive Director
Colorado US Route 6
Tourist Association