The Sandhills are alive with color!!!

Always, the invitation is open for you to come and visit the lovely Sandhills! There's plenty of thrills...and things to do. Right now the Sandhills are alive with color! 

Rich, jewel tones! Emerald with amethyst dusted with pollen on this morning glory!

Misty rain highlights this tiny lavender flower on the forest floor. 

Butterflies are fueling up for their migration on purple asters. 

A fuzzy bumble bee allows this portrait to be taken. Smile! 

Ordinary marigolds are a nice looking flower this time of year...up close you can see they're also dynamic as they unfurl their petals and are also homes to webbed insects. 

Raindrops emphasize the tips of this Ponderosa Pine. 

Sumac is already changing colors....stellar!

This beetle didn't care for the raindrops collecting on his back. Notice his middle leg is wiping them off. Something it did repeatedly. Adorable.  

Ruby mixed with garnet and a bit of citrine grace this tree....birds  flock here for winter kibble. 

Webbed beauty! Mist beads up on this intricate lacework! 

Grasshoppers are interesting...especially up close. Kind of looks like a robot face..."better to eat all your flowers!"

A recent, record setting rain fell, cleaning off all the leaves, trees, and hills, for a nice crisp walk on the many trails in the area. 

Geese are starting to collect for their migration as well. 

Happy autumn...the sun sets sooner...and colors are intensified making everything look cozy and warm. It's a purrrrrrfect time of year for a Sandhills vacation or quick visit!

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 or grill at Henderson's IGA. 

Why not plan a leisurely and colorful 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 need 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. 

For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery which has new location on First Street!!!

The Valentine Chamber of Commerce has a plethora of brochures that will have you coming back this all year long ... 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!!! 

We welcome you and your family!!!

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!