DESTINATION
Glamping on steroids
C
At Kimberly Creek Retreat, the cabins are the destination STORY CHRIS CHRISTEN
PHOTOGRAPHY KURT A. KEELER AND CHRIS CHRISTEN
hris Petersen had a successful consulting career and was happily approaching retirement. “The traditional thing is
to sell your house in the country and move to town when you retire,” Petersen says. But he did just the opposite. In 2018, Peterson met Mike Kennedy and the two launched into creating a private nature sanctuary with luxury glamping cabins on 22 wooded
Chris Petersen
acres between Omaha and Lincoln. “This is a story of true bootstrap entrepreneurism between two partners who shared a vision,” Petersen says. When completed, Kimberly Creek Retreat will have 10 to 12 glamping cabins and geodesic domes with all the comforts of home to encourage guests to stay, unplug and connect with nature. Petersen and Kennedy are more than halfway there with eight units available for rental. Every unit has its own propane grill and fire pit that lights with the flick of a switch.
base camp for exploring the attractions
hot on the trail of treasure on a recent
“Almost everyone will have a fire going at
at Interstate 80 Exit 426. Those include
Saturday afternoon. They had come for a
night, even in July,” Petersen says.
Eugene T. Mahoney and Platte River State
one-night stay in the Dream Queen Dome
Parks, Wildlife Safari Park, Strategic Air
to celebrate the end of the school year.
It’s first-class glamping right down to a private indoor toilet and shower and fully
Command and Aerospace Museum, Quarry
Heather and Bob Batt of Omaha were
equipped kitchenette in each unit.
Oaks Golf Course and main street Ashland.
first-time guests celebrating their wedding
“Guests aren’t suffering here,” Petersen says with a smile. The father of three and granddad of
Reservations, says Petersen, are
visit planned — with several family
are by groups of women. “There have been
members.
five is keeping convenience top of mind as
more parties here than you can imagine.
cabins are furnished and accessorized.
And I don’t even want to know what
“Our goal is to make it easy for Mom,” he says. Kimberly Creek Retreat seems to be attracting two primary types of guests: Nature lovers and those who want a
anniversary and already had their next
gangbusters. A high percentage of rentals
happens on ‘girls getaway’ weekends!” For most guests, Petersen says, “The main attraction is peace and quiet.” Darcie and Michael Venem and their children, Connor, 7, and Claire, 5½, were
“It’s peaceful,” Heather says. “I love the area for its trees.” She needed a respite (after treating patients during COVID). Nature provided the remedy. “This is a nice decompression.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 omaha.com/inspiredliving
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