Spring time in the Sandhills

Our spring has been different this year. Scorching heat, dry, then cool, wet, snow, and finally rainy. But it's made our Sandhills truly beautiful - enjoy! 

As the season progresses and you plan your vacation to the Sandhills, let our sponsors to help with your adventure!!!

Trade Winds Lodge, can help you with accommodations, and you can get excellent food to go at Henderson's IGA. Why not get a gift certificate for a trip down Niobrara National Scenic River at  Brewers Canoers and Tubers for warmer weather? 

Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, has everything you could ever want in the way of firearms, ammo, and reloading supplies - conveniently located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, who has , wool, cotton and batik fabric, along with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery.

Nim-Rods Bait Store has all you could ever need or want for your fishing excursion - poles, live 

bait, bobbers, jigs, hooks, and plenty of refreshments! 

For some literature about vacations in Cherry County, contact Visit Valentine a publication created by Nebraska Life, or Journey to Western Nebraska, also published by Nebraska Life.

Remember...the Sandhills are your four season, family fun, adventure....come find out why!!!

Visit SandhillsWesternVacations.com to plan your summer adventure today!

To watch some of the amazingness of the Sandhills check out our YouTube channel at SandhillsWesternVacations on YouTube.

Cody, Nebraska, featured on cover of Nebraska Life

Nebraska Life Assistant Editor Alan J. Bartles captured the elevator at Cody surrounded by blooming wildflowers. On newsstands now, there are several more pages that showcase the beauty of wildflowers in Nebraska. 

The Sandhills have received abundant moisture this past month...let's take a look at what's blooming here right now!

Raindrops cover the petals of this flowering crabapple. 

A double lilac bush gives off double the scent!

Wild violets? Found along the pathway to the Niobrara River. 

Bent over by rain drops, these little buds will grow taller. 

Not easily missed nestled within the tall grasses of the Sandhills!

A flowering apple tree provides nectar for this butterfly. 

How sweet are sweet peas? These are growing wild near Merritt Reservoir.

Teeny tiny babies growing out of mosses along the banks of the Niobrara River. 

Pushing their way through the sand at Merritt Reservoir!

New growth along the hillsides by Fort Falls. 

Grasses reflected in the water. As summer comes they'll green up!

Last years cattails provide sturdiness for this spiders home. There will be new cattails to take their place as the season progresses. 

As the season progresses and you plan your vacation to the Sandhills, let our sponsors to help with your adventure!!!

Trade Winds Lodge, can help you with accommodations, and you can get excellent food to go at Henderson's IGA. Why not get a gift certificate for a trip down Niobrara National Scenic River at  Brewers Canoers and Tubers for warmer weather? 

Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, has everything you could ever want in the way of firearms, ammo, and reloading supplies - conveniently located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, who has , wool, cotton and batik fabric, along with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery.

Nim-Rods Bait Store has all you could ever need or want for your fishing excursion - poles, live 

bait, bobbers, jigs, hooks, and plenty of refreshments! 

For some literature about vacations in Cherry County, contact Visit Valentine a publication created by Nebraska Life, or Journey to Western Nebraska, also published by Nebraska Life.

Remember...the Sandhills are your four season, family fun, adventure....come find out why!!!

Visit SandhillsWesternVacations.com to plan your summer adventure today!

To watch some of the amazingness of the Sandhills check out our YouTube channel at SandhillsWesternVacations on YouTube.

Sign up for the 5th annual Andrew Claymon Fishing Tournament at Merritt Reservoir!

Hey!!!! It's fishing at its finest and time to ENTER the 5^th Annual Andrew Claymon Memorial Fishing Tournament June 12-13!! Sign up now!!

 This tournament has been very heavily promoted this year.  We don’t want to have to limit the number of teams that enter but it may be a possibility depending on the number of team entries that we receive.  

We already have 19 teams entered which is ahead of all prior years this many days from the tournament date.  We don’t want anyone to miss out so get those entries coming in!!

Remember...there WILL be prizes!

·         Scheduled for Saturday, June 13, 2015 at Merritt Reservoir 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. fishing hours

·         Adult/Youth team format

·         Three divisions to choose from: (1) adult/1 child, 10 and under, (2) adult/1 child 11-17 years old, or (3) adult/2 children 17 and under

·         Total prize value of $5,000+ thanks to increase in sponsorship funding this year

·         Opportunity for all youth entered in tournament 15 years and younger and a Nebraska resident to win 1 of 2 FREE lifetime hunt/fish permit

·         Additional details on www.andrewclaymonfishing.com .  An e-mail with more details will be sent to all entered teams several weeks prior to the tournament.

·         When making your travel plans, keep in mind the tournament dinner/rules meeting (non-mandatory) on Friday night, the 12^th at 6:00 p.m.

Enter online at www.andrewclaymonfishing.com or attached entry form.

Deadline to enter to be GUARANTEED your t-shirt size and a cap is May 25^th.

Feel free to contact me, Andrew's Mom, by e-mail or phone with any questions.  Looking forward to seeing you on June 12^th or 13^th!!

Joni Claymon

Tournament Organizer and Andrew's Mom

Cell:  (970) 445-8190

jclaymon@vail.net

www.andrewclaymonfishing.com

Because it's going to be FUN!!

Even if you don't catch fish...even if all you do is play in the water and make waves...it's always a great family, fun, event!!

Let our sponsors to help with your adventure!!!

Trade Winds Lodge, can help you with accommodations, and you can get excellent food to go at Henderson's IGA. Why not get a gift certificate for a trip down Niobrara National Scenic River at  Brewers Canoers and Tubers for warmer weather? 

Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, has everything you could ever want in the way of firearms, ammo, and reloading supplies - conveniently located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, who has , wool, cotton and batik fabric, along with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery.

Nim-Rods Bait Store has all you could ever need or want for your fishing excursion - poles, live 

bait, bobbers, jigs, hooks, and plenty of refreshments!

Remember...the Sandhills are your four season, family fun, adventure....come find out why!!!

Visit http://www.sandhillswesternvacations.com to plan extra dots along the way!

Plan your Sandhills Summer - Schedule of Events for 2015!!!

Happy May! It's sunny...the grass is greening up, waters are warming up,  fish are waiting to be caught, everything is getting ready for you to plan your Sandhills summer getaway.
There are so many things going on it would be helpful to have a schedule...right?
Here's a look at all the fun and adventure from 2014....

May 2 - Nebraska Game and Parks Kids Fishing Derby
May 9 - Valentine High School Graduation
May 10 - Mother's Day
May 16 - Cody-Kilgore High School Graduation
May 25 - Memorial Day
May - Cody Circle C Celebration

June 6 - Minnechaduza Days and Turtle Races during the Day - Cruise Night afterwards
June 13 - 5th annual Andrew Claymon Fishing Tournament
June 27 - Valentine Alumni Renunion and Banquet
June 28 - Sod House Sunday, Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch - Merriman

July 4 - Independence Day
July 11 - City Wide Garage Sales during the day, and Relay for Life - Cherry County in the evening
July 12-17 - Nebraska Star Party

August 1 - Crazy Day
August 5-9 - Cherry County Fair and Rodeo
August 29 - Old Settlers Reunion - Sparks

September 7 - Labor Day

But the fun doesn't stop there...things quiet down and there's still plenty to do!

October 8-11 Old west Days and Cowboy Poetry Gathering
October 10 - Pumpkin Patch

November 11 - Veterans Day
November 22 - Holiday Preview
November 26 - Thanksgiving

There will be more planned around Christmas and we'll save that for another posting - but you will want to attend! Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, make sure to click on the sponsor's advertisements on the home page - The Sandhills, as well Awesome Wildlife and Bugs, and Sandhills Skies, which will take you to their websites. You'll get even more information on how they can make your Sandhills Western Vacation something you'll treasure. Something you'll want to come back and enjoy with family and friends, making memories every season.