Sharing the symbols of a very Merry Christmas from the Sandhills to your house!

One of the first things you notice about Christmas is the lights! They're a beacon of hope; Jesus was born in Bethlehem and became the Light of the world! 

Angels are made in the snow, are hung as decorations on our trees, and even grace the lamp posts in our communities. One of the first things Angels say when they make their appearance is, "Fear not." An angel came to the Virgin Mary and told her of God's plans for the birth of Jesus.  

After His birth, an angel came to the shepherds in the field and said, 

"Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

Merriman, NE,  decorates their community with angels. 

 Who doesn't like a gift? Granted, there are those who have a hard time receiving; likewise, there are those who have a hard time giving. 

God's love for us was so great that he gave us a perfect gift in the baby Jesus. Presents reminds us of God's gift - the way to eternal life in Heaven through Jesus. 

Pictured above is the Cross and Santa and his reindeer at the Bowring Ranch in Merriman. 

The Christmas tree...where did its tradition begin? There are many different theories, some say Druids and other the Germans. The evergreen is a symbol of eternal life. It keeps its needles all winter long. Not to mention the food and shelter it provides for all of God's creatures. 

This Christmas tree is near the post office in Merriman.

 How do you feel when you unwrap your Nativity Scene? A barn. 

Some say it would have been more of a cave. 

Either way, Jesus came from humble beginnings, his first bed a manger. Until you live in the Sandhills, or are around livestock, a manger filled with hay has no particular significance. 

But when you're in a barn, all the noises, the animals chewing their cud, the soft baaaaaing of sheep, and cattle who want that hay...does the manger take on a different significance.

Remember,  He's closer than the phone booth in Cody, NE! Always. That's His gift to you! 

Kilgore, NE, decorates in lanterns, reminding us of the Light of the World! 

Valentine has candy canes, trees, and candle sticks to decorate the town. There was the thought that the life of Christ was depicted in a candy cane. The white represented His purity, while the red signified his blood shed for you for eternity. Three stripes represented the Holy Trinity. 

The Sandhills wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. One filled with joy, laughter, and His love. And if what you had really wished for, hoped for, and wanted wasn't under the tree...come visit our quaint shops where they have something for everyone! 

From all of us at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ...

Your ticket for four season, family fun, adventures await....

They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip gift certificate which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River at  Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery.

A very Merry Christmas!

All the stuffins' and fixins' in the Sandhills!

Let me be the first to say Happy Thanksgiving! By now your bird should be cooked and shared with family...

I shared my dinner with some turkey's and a few squirrley friends that joined in! But it was all good!

It might not seem like it at first...but there's always enough to go around. Remember the birds of the air? Even they were provided for with the berries of the cedar.

Our moms showed us what was good to eat, and if we were especially blessed, taught us how to prepare for the next generation.

Dads get to horn in on the action, giving direction to their kids or to play with grandkids while the meal is prepared.

Here's hoping you and your flock all had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

From all of us at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ...

Your four season, family fun, adventure awaits....

They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip gift certificate which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River at  Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery.

Happy Thanksgiving...

How about the gift of Christmas at the Arthur Bowring Ranch?

Get  into the spirit!! There will be a fabulous meal, great music, dancing, and you can be sure, a new friend at the end of the night when you attend Christmas at the Bowring in Merriman, NE. 

Get your tickets early...they do sell out quickly. Diane Burress makes a fabulous dinner with all the fixin's, and if you're good... Santa just might make an appearance.

Christmas at the Bowring Ranch will be held December 13, 2014, at 6:00 Mountain Time - different than Central Time. You will need to reserve your tickets NOW...tickets will NOT be sold at the door. And you want to make sure there's a tasty Rib Eye Steak for you and your loved ones. 

You'll be able to dance to the music of the Twin River Band...play the video to get an idea of the evening that's in store for you. 

Reservations need to be made by December 11,  by calling the Arthur Bowring Ranch at 1-308-684-3428 or 1-308-684-3450. 

The Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch is a State Historical Park, located on North Highway 61, in Merriman. 

You'll have a wonderful, enjoyable, evening, which is a gift in itself. 

Enjoy all there is to offer in the Sandhills of Nebraska including our upcoming Holiday Preview Sunday, November 23! There are so many unique shops that will have something for everyone's Christmas gift list. Remember to visit the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip gift certificate which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River at  Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery. Or visit them on-line and pick your items up while you're here.

There's plenty more to do and see while you're in the area. Your ticket to four season, family fun and Nebraska Adventure can be found at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ... enjoy the Reason for the Season!

You are loved veterans, from the Heart City!!!

So there was a little war with YouTube trying to get this loaded. WE were victorious, just a little bit later than I'd hoped. I was able to have it  posted on https://www.facebook.com/sandhills.vacations in time to thank our veterans.

We want our veterans to know their service made a difference. We are free because of them - and freedom is something we all value greatly. 

The sponsors at Sandhills Western Vacations thank you veterans from the bottom of our Heart City!

There's madness in Valentine, Nebraska!!!!

Not to worry....the people here really are alright....it's just time for Moonlight Madness....booohhhhaaa!

Participating stores will have unrelated items hidden in their business from other stores in town. Find that item and you'll be entered for a drawing of ALL the unrelated items, in addition to $250!!!

Moonlight Madness will be held Thursday, October 23, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. And while you're here...why not enjoy some of the beauty of the Sandhills? Colorful countryside and animals preparing for winter...there's a lot to see and do in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

Enjoy all there is to offer in the Sandhills of Nebraska including our madness...Moonlight Madness that is! There are so many unique shops that will have unrelated items. Remember to visit the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River dressed in her fall colors Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery. Or visit them on-line and pick your items up while you're here.

There's plenty more to do and see while you're in the area. Your ticket to four season, family fun and Nebraska Adventure can be found at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ... enjoy the madness of Moonlight Madness in Valentine!

R&R is in the air! Enjoy some at the 23rd annual Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering

The hay has been put up....the calves have gone to market - or will be shortly....and really, you do deserve a break from it all.

So head to Valentine, Nebraska, and enjoy some inspirational cowboy music and poetry - of which some can be down right hilarious in it's truthfulness. It's good to know you're not the only one with a bossy Bessy on the ranch.

Old West Days begins October 9 and will continue through October 12, 2014.
Thursday begins the festivities with a BBQ at Security First Bank, grilled by Henderson's IGA. You'll be serenaded with live entertainment, which is followed by the Old Time Melodrama....boo and hiss the villain, and cheer on the good guys!

You know you're getting a great burger from Henderson's IGA at the Kick-off BBQ!

Friday is when the poetry sessions begin, and there are several to chose from - a day full of prose and stories and western music. These events will take place at the Valentine High School.

Brett Burress and his band were entertainers last year. 

This year the featured entertainers include: Bill Barwick, Elizabeth Ebert, D.W. Groethe, Miss V, the Gypsy Cowbelle, and Brooke Turner.

Last year Lyn Messersmith had a writing workshop. She has written many books which 

are available at Plains Trading Book Sellers.

God has given her a gift of storytelling and you'll hang on every word. 

There will also be the Western art, trade and quilt show - things to take back home to remind you of simpler times. There are also books and music on sale from the performers so you can keep that feeling all year long.

The quilt show will have your mind whirring - putting your stash to work in your head! If you're not a quilter, you can admire the handiwork put into these works of art!

No budget for the real thing? How about a stick horse!!!! There are one of a kind items at the Trade Show - and it's about that time to begin thinking of Christmas gift giving. 

Saturday there are more music and poetry sessions which begin at 9:00 a.m. both days. For the writer in you, a Writing the West Workshop will be held with Yvonne Hollenbeck giving a Self Publishing Workshop, hosted by Duane Gudgel who is the owner of Plains Trading and Book Sellers here in Valentine.

Duane Gudgel, owner of Plains Trading Book Sellers

Yvonne Hollenbeck and her honey! The subject of many of her award winning poems. 

Poetry and entertainment will continue on into the evening performance which begins at 7:30 p.m., both nights.

Sunday morning, enjoy Old West Church Services.
Then take in God's glory as you partake in the annual Trail Ride which begins at 2:00 p.m.
The final event of Old West Days is the last performance of the Old Time Melodrama which is at 7:30 p.m.

The Valentine Players will have something special in store for you with their Old Time Melodrama!

The Old Time Melodrama and the Featured Performances all require tickets which can be purchased through the Valentine Chamber of Commerce by calling 402-376-2969.
To find out more about the Featured Performers, Old West Church Services, and the Trail Ride go to the official website at: nebraskacowboypoetrygathering.com.
It's a great way to enjoy a little R&R after a blessed summer, abundant hay and great cattle prices.

While you're in town, enjoy Main Street!!! There are so many unique shops and stores, not to mention characters, who own and operate these businesses. Remember to visit the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River dressed in her fall colors Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery. Or visit them on-line and pick your items up while you're here.

There's plenty more to do and see while you're in the area. Your ticket to four season, family fun and Nebraska Adventure can be found at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ... make this truly an R&R trip back in time!

Your timing is PERFECT for a Sandhills Vacation!

Haven't taken your vacation yet? Now is the perfect time! Temperatures have been cooperative. Traffic is slowly headed back home, which makes parks, campsites, and hotel rooms less crowded. Not to mention Main Street is having all sorts of sales...and it's nearly back to school. Sales you don't want to miss. Room and campground availability and weather that's perfect!
Here's some other things you wouldn't want to miss...

We'e had rain, which means GREEN! This is looking over the Snake River at Prairie Club. 

Don't care for bugs? Sure, but who can say that about a butterfly? This year there have been plenty. 

Even on a hot day, refreshment has been provided for this little sparrow...aren't you just as important?

So take off! Literally! Get out here in the middle of the Sandhills!

Don't let the storms of life keep you away....

Reflect on how great you'll feel after a Sandhills Vacation....

Sprint, run, or prance out here...this is photo was taken approximately a week ago, what a beautiful sight!

Too busy at the office? We have Wi-Fi...you're covered!

The calming blue waters of Merritt Reservoir are waiting to be fished, frolicked, and had fun in. 

The sun is beginning to set on the summer fun season...

The peaceful scenery and traffic are worth the drive!!!!

Even the clouds are cooperative. Stunning really. 

The sun is setting earlier and earlier...a crispness is in the evening air. You're invited. Come and vacation here in Nebraska's Sandhills!

Get a MOOOOOOO-ve on...the greeting committee will be standing by!

Let the sponsors at sandhillswesternvacations.com help you plan your perfect, family fun, four season, vacation!