Change is in the air!!!!

You can feel it! See it! Smell it!!! There's nothing quite like autumn! Full blown, crispy, colorful, shorter days, autumn! Food is prepared differently, families gather for football games, and there's the coziness that other seasons don't quite have on autumn.

Not everyone likes change, but change left over from a purchase during Moonlight Madness is welcoming!!! The Valentine Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the annual event Thursday, October 27. Downtown businesses will have Mad, Mad, Mad, sales on things you need! Be sure to get to the participating businesses and find out what all the Madness is!!! 

Another event sponsored by the Valentine Chamber of Commerce is the annual Kiddie Parade  - Kiddie, as in all ages because the Halloween spirit still dwells! The parade begins Monday, October 31, at the corner of First and Main Street at 4:00 p.m. 

Shadows precede the costumed trick-or-treaters!

Cleverness knows no bounds, and I believe this mouse and dragon maybe having a moment!

After trick-or-treating along Main Street, stop at the Cherry County Justice Center for Scare in the Square sponsored by the Valentine Police Department! Fun, games, and even more treats...for all the kiddies...no kidding!

Other changes took place earlier this month - October 6, was our first snow fall, and it was pretty significant.

And I might add...beautiful!

Not a fan of snow? How about the changes in our sky? Winter has more colorful sunsets, and because we're still awake, or just getting off work, we're able to enjoy them more. It won't be long and we'll be changing our clocks back, Sunday November 6.

Our temperatures have been great during the day time, and cuddly at night. There's still time to take a kayak trip down the Niobrara River!

And finally, Frederick Peak Golf Course is getting the once over by designer Chris Brands of the Lehman Group. Here he is pictured with manager Tadd Buechle who is keeping the fairways and greens mowed to perfection!

The City of Valentine municipal course will be open for golf in 2017! And this course will change your perspective on the game of golf! Truly, it's breathtaking!

The final change; sad, true, and something that everyone will experience...a few posts back I said DO IT NOW!! Really, do it now if you can...come and visit this remarkable paradise located in north central Nebraska. My mom passed August 19, and there's changes she won't see. Her great grandchildren grow up...her children get grey (haha, we use hair color...) but a very important person in our lives is gone. She won't be back to the Sandhills and that makes me sad.

Our community also lost some wonderful people shortly thereafter... Bill Sokol was a member of the Valentine Lions Club and raised funds for all sorts of extra curricular activities sponsored by the Lions Club. And he cared about our community's health as well, and volunteered as an ambulance driver.

Jarolyn Crouse lost her battle with cancer and was an all-round wonderful person. She was a member of the Old West Days committee for many years. Working with the other board members to get this event growing for the past 25 years.

Change is in the air. Come on out and enjoy it! Make your memories here in the Sandhills, your 4 season, family fun, endearing adventure!

To head over to the website go to:  SandhillsWesternVacations.com

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!!!