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.

It's a Classic!!! The annual Classic Car Show and Nebraska Life Magazine!

Treasures abound in these Sandhills and you know if you've been here. You really know if you live here. And if you've read about them - well - you know too.

One treasure we all hold dear are our beloved vehicles. Classic, rusty, foreign, or brand spankin' new. They're special. They hold what's special - our families that we also treasure.

So get your vehicle spiffed up and bring the family to the 29th annual Valentine Classic Motor Club's Car Show and Parade that will take place June 1.

Arrive before 6:00 p.m. at Henderson's IGA parking lot, located on Highway 83. Enjoy the sights around you. Feel the power, the muscle, and good vibes. A lead car will have you winding around Valentine, weaving in and out of several senior housing complexes, where the residents will have treasured memories of their youth.

Everyone will wind up back at Scotty's Ranchland and the Frosty for a bit of good-eats, good conversation and make treasured friendships.

Another classic is Nebraska Life Magazine! Their May\June issue - on newsstands now - showcases  treasures nestled among the Sandhills, specifically the Snake River. Publisher and Editor Christopher Amundson has photographed and narrated his trip down the Snake with fellow photographer Jack Nordeen and river guide Ryan Kelley.

Christopher will share with you the sights, sounds, aquatic life, and wilderness that surrounds them as they walk through ankle breaking boulders and the ever possible encounter with a rattle snake - for which the river was named.

The story: Snake River: One Bite at a Time, is narrated so well, that you will feel like you're right there, walking with them; exploring a treasure deep within the canyon walls of the Snake River.

Also in the May\June issue is a little bit of fact, myth, and legend, on how early settlers would care for their treasures. Encompassing the entire state, writer Matthew Spencer sheds some light on where buried treasures may be found in the story: Dig into the Ultimate Treasure Hunt. From wells along the Niobrara River around the German Settlement, to the likes of Buffalo Bill Cody and Doc Middleton, Matthew will have you dreaming of treasures buried deep...or not so deep.

 Treasures, real (like our beloved families and classic or otherwise vehicles) or surreal (like the Snake River) are all here in the Sandhills. Waiting to be discovered.

Won't you discover some of them? Come to the Classic Car Show - in whatever will get you here or pick up the latest edition of Nebraska Life Magazine. They're available on local newsstands, or by subscription at www.NebraskaLife.com.

Looking forward to seeing you this summer so you can soak up some treasured memories for yourselves and have them become classics you can share with your kids and grandkids!!!

Nebraska Life magazine shows Valentine scenery!

The magazine that explores Nebraska!

Statewide Magazine Features Local Photographer

NORFOLK, Neb., March 25, 2013 – A photograph from Midland News editor, Laura Vroman, graces the cover of the March/April issue of Nebraska Life Magazine.  

 Longtime contributor to Nebraska Life, this is Vroman’s first cover. The image was taken at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and features a thunderhead rising over Fort Falls.

 Selected for the photo essay, “Clouds: Nebraska Skyscapes,” Vroman’s photograph is accompanied by works from Steve and Bobbi Olson, and Nebraska Life editor and publisher, Christopher Amundson.

 View the photo essay in the current issue, available on newsstands or by subscription for $21 a year.

 Also making an appearance in the March/April issue is Valentine native Chris Senseney and wife, Stefanie Drootin-Senseney of Big Harp. The duo’s second studio album, released by Omaha’s Saddle Creek Records, debuted in January.

  This issue includes stories and photos on: the southwestern city of Curtis, O’Neill’s Tielke Sandwiches, western wineries, Omaha’s Peony Park, poetry, events across the state and more.

 Nebraska Life Magazine, founded 16 years ago, publishes six issues a year about the nature, history, wildlife and people of Nebraska. The magazine is based in Norfolk and is family-owned by Christopher and Angela Amundson. Nebraska Life is available by subscription for $21 for one year and $38 for two years. It is also available statewide on newsstands. To subscribe, call 1-800-777-6159 or visit www.NebraskaLife.com.

For more information on the Valentine Midland News go to: http://www.ainsworthnews.com/ and click on Valentine.