Storm glory!!! Preparing for your arrival!!!

 

 Valentine's Main Street was covered with snow Saturday, March 9, with two energetic 

souls out removing the heavy, mositure laden, much needed icing. 

Thank you Gary Conner and James Ravenscroft.

 

Peaking through lacy branches one can see the comforting lights inside Cedar Canyon Steakhouse. Coffee anyone? How about a nice meal to sustain you as you head off the beaten path....

 

Off the beaten path, this young white tail was a bit surprised, clearly curious, 

and excited to be frolicking Sunday, March 10. 

 

The little one soon caught up to its family, already headed for higher ground. 

How many deer can you spot?

In a previous post, there is a deer in the same spot, only her ear is twitched at my intrusion. 

However, Sunday, March 10, she was keeping alert to the individual who was out on his

 4x4  plowing out his road. Yet she still looks comfortable. 

 All tucked in and if you weren't paying attention, could easily miss her majestic beauty. 

 

The Minnechaduza Creek at the Valentine City Park played host 

to these mallards who thought everything was rather ducky!

 

Across the river, everything was covered with a thick layer of snow and sunshine. 

If you look closely, you'll see the icicles hanging off the tree branches. 

What was so fabulous about this snow is that it packed a lot of moisture 

but it was comfortable to get out and walk around 

and take in the beauty of the Sandhills. 

 

What a sight to behold as the sun peeked out from the clouded sky 

and shone its light on this bedazzling tree. 

The mallards, not accepting my company, have moved further down the 

Minnechaduza Creek quacking the whole way. 

 

 

Mother Nature is sending her signal to everything under the snow. 

Even though the trees didn't spring ahead, they know what to do at her prompting. 

The river will eventually host tadpoles, dragonflies, and a whole host of aquatic 

life that is still dormant - but won't remain for long. 

 

A close-up of what will eventually bloom in the spring. These are either lilacs or wild plums. 

Before you know it...summer will be here. 

Have you booked your hotel stay? There are two very nice places to stay and they'd 

 be glad to take your reservations.

 Click on Valentine's Niobrara Lodge or Trade Winds Motel on this Web site which will take you to their Web sites where you can choose your reservation dates. They fill up quickly you know. 

For something a little more out of the way, why not click on 

Double R Guest Ranch. It would be perfect for your family's reunion. 

Here it is Monday evening, and most of the snow has been 

distributed among the roots, filling the rivers, lakes and getting the 

Sandhills of Nebraska ready for your arrival.

Lots to do at the City Park!

The Valentine City Municipal Park allows camping for a small fee, however, there are no electric or sewer hook-ups. There are rest rooms though. A new disc golf course is set to be installed within the next few weeks.
What's really great is that several people got together to help the Valentine Trails Coalition fix up the trails that are along the Minnechaduza (Minnie-K-duz-a) Creek. They re-surfaced some of the trails, fixed a bridge near the Moosman Bridge, and several folks picked up trash, totaling 11 bags.

Doesn't that look nice and cool...brand new, just grown GREEN! 

But wait - how did those stairs get there? Trolls? Gnomes? 

You'd have to ask Al. 

That's Al in the white hat, and the boys probably wouldn't like being called trolls or gnomes. They're not wearing those slouchy pointy hats, or the turned up shoes after all. 

They got a text from their coaches to head over and help! 

City Council members Neil Wescott, top, and Toby Miller, bottom, removed some of the ghostly, skeletal, trees remaining after Big Rock Fire which burned 3,000 acres in 2006. 

Neil is using a grinder to knock over the smaller trees and Toby has a grapple on the front and removes the trees that are too large to turn into mulch.  

As you can see here, not all of the park was burned. Actually, the fire kind of jumped over it! Here is the Minnechaduza Creek where the Turtle Races will be held later in July! You could win $700!

The trail really hugs the creek in some places....

 And in others, it opens to a large panorama of stellar beauty and blue skies!

Majestic oaks tower overhead. 

 The trail goes near these little trees too. 

Caught in action! Here Neil and Toby work to remove a large pine that had fallen into the river. They used a giant cable and pull it out. 

Woah! Head's up Al! Neil throws a log onto the bank and removes other debris in the river so it will flow freely. 

It's tedious work to re-surface the trail. Wheel barrows are filled with a fine gravel material which is pushed as close to an area as possible. Then large five gallon pails are carried to the inaccessible areas and are raked. Too bad the gnomes and trolls weren't available to do that part. 

 So now we're left with a clean park ready for people who want to camp. A free flowing Minnechaduza Creek. And trails that have been cleared of overgrowth and resurfaced. 

Come and enjoy what Valentine has to offer you! 

Remember to get your turtles from the Valentine Chamber of Commerce for the 

Turtle Races, July 16, 2011.  You could be the $700 winner!