Make time for fall adventure in the Sandhills!!!

It's ever changing...the skies, water, foliage...and it's all here for you to enjoy! Come and take a peek at what your fall season, family fun, adventure could be like!

There were still campers at Merritt Reservoir enjoying the colorful storm rolling in. Only a small amount of rain fell, but left behind this remarkable scene below!

Berries - big deal? Not necessarily. They attract wildlife. Are you a bird watcher? There were several species flying around getting their fill. For the more disciplined, they may have gotten a great photo of them nibbling; however there were other distractions...

...the stellar colors of the screaming yellow and lime leaves against the brilliant blue of the sky.

 There's something magical when the sun hits the fall grasses...what luminance!

With the time change, the sun will be setting earlier, but you can still see fascinating things like these pods which have gone to seed.

Creeks are flowing swiftly and beautifully! This is Fort Falls which will flow into the Niobrara River!

Hiking anyone? Some thoughtful group of people put stairs for the deer to climb up and down the steep inclines of the Sandhills. Not really! They're there for you and your family - yes your furry family as well - to enjoy. Do yourself a favor and wear sturdy shoes, not flip-flops!!!

There's more to the family adventure....in Valentine there will be the kiddy parade Friday, October 30 beginning at 4:00 p.m. Booohhahahahaah!

Nothing incredibly scary like a dark forest reflected in the lake, or a giant spiders web ...

Scary like a lion perhaps??

The parade has some interesting characters...some you may recognize like the Mario Brothers! Some aren't so recognizable. Their shadows are also disguised as well...very clever! Line up at First and Main Street and let yourself be seen...4:00 p.m.! 

After the parade and trick-or-treating for candy, with special thanks to Valentine's businesses, kids can continue to the square in front of the Justice Center for more fun! Giant Jenga anyone? Video games? 

Looking forward to your presence at Moonlight Madness after these activities! From 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. it's hard to say what madness will be going on inside participating businesses. Sales? Of course. Oddities? Naturally! There's one way to win prizes and Chamber Bucks...keep a keen eye out for something that doesn't quite belong!!!

Enjoy your Sandhills Adventure this fall!

And let our sponsors help you with your four season, family fun, vacation plans!!! Trade Winds Lodge, can help you with accommodations, and you can get excellent food to go at Henderson's IGA. 

Why not plan a leisurely fall trip down Niobrara National Scenic River with  Brewers Canoers and Tubers ?

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! 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, which has western prints, wool, cotton and batik fabric, along with patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co perfect little projects for this season! 

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery at their new location!!!. 

The Valentine Chamber of Commerce has a plethora of brochures that will have you coming back this fall... make sure you stop by and pick some up today!

Remember...the Sandhills are your four season, family fun, ticket 4 Adventure....come find out why at SandhillsWesternVacations.com!!! And while you're here for your Halloween and Moonlight Madness adventure, remember there's a lot more coming up! Stay tuned...we welcome you and your family!!!

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.

Before summer ends...tube the Niobrara!

The sun is beginning to sink into the western sky a little bit earlier each evening. The crickets are chirping and the nights are beginning to have a bit of a chill to them. BUT the days are certainly warm! And the Niobrara River is waiting for you to soak up the sun beams as you tube lazily down the scenic river.
You can canoe if you want....or kayak.  It won't matter. It's all about family time together...girl time...guy time...or even that one last hurrah before school starts!

You can take a few hours, or a few days and camp along the way. And when you're not on the river, there's so much else you can do, how about some golf?

Maybe some fishing at Merritt Reservoir or at the refuge lakes where there's even a map available to help you find your favorite fishing hole!

 
Fort Falls is a beautiful location at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge.

As you take the stairs down to the cool depths of the Niobrara River Valley, follow the trail out to the Niobrara River and splash around a bit.

Smith Falls is equally as beautiful and has a campground for your enjoyment as well.

Summer isn't over. And if you've not had your vacation, you know you're about due...head over to the Sandhills of Nebraska and give yourself, your loved one, or your family a special treat from an area that can't be beat!!!

Riding out the heat wave!

We're being warned about the excessive heat this weekend into next week! Actually, the heat isn't that terrible...it's the humidity!
To help you cool off, we're going to flash back to last winter

Doves are gentle - heat and high humidity isn't!

The falls are energizing in any weather...close your eyes and you can hear the rushing water...so invigorating!

Imagine yourself in an arctic region!

How's this for bone chilling?

Hypothermic yet?

Siberian ice caps perhaps? (Not really, it's a frozen Smith Falls)

Frozen flyway...to combat this summer's heat highway

May all this be a little bit en-deering on a hot humid summer in the Sandhills!
Hope you've been able to cool down for a little bit. If not, remember, the Niobrara River is here to refresh you too - so is Merritt Reservoir. Come and take a dip! Relax...you'll be revitalized in no time!