Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours…from Sandhills Western Vacations!
Remember the Reason for the Season…know that He is watching you like a hawk, keeping you close to his heart!

Meanwhile, if you didn't get what you'd hoped for Christmas…you can always plan your very own Christmas present…for when it warms up a bit…with your very own Sandhills Western Vacations!

Getting into the spirit of shopping, Christmas at the Bowring Ranch and your family!

 

 Snow has covered the Sandhills abundantly! North central Nebraska received between 11 through 15 inches!  With that came an arctic cold blast that makes it feel like the North Pole! What better weather than to get out and enjoy your Christmas Shopping!

The crews in Valentine have cleared the streets for you and the stores have their shelves stocked and ready for wrapping under the tree.

But some of the best gifts you'll find shopping in Valentine, Nebraska, are the memories you'll make.

There are several places you can stay while you're in Valentine...just for fun. To make memories. Trade Winds Lodge, http://www.tradewindslodge.com and Valentine's Niobrara Lodge, https://www.myfidelio.net/webui/AvailabilitySearch.aspx?chain=IQ&property=USVN are a couple. These lodging facilities can also be a God send for your out-of-town guests or a girls retreat for a shopping get-together!

What about a winter family vacation? What? Most vacation time renews in January...what a great time for family to get together and really enjoy each other and their surroundings. This is a great time to book a staycation at the Double R Guest Ranch, http://www.sandhilldoublerranch.com. There are many things to do including watching migrating birds, fishing, snow fort making, and whatever your imagination can dream up. Get out and enjoy...no cabin fever this year!

 There is nothing quite like winter photography! A dusting on the hills, migratory birds, deer, ice sculptures, snow drifts, family decked out in vibrant colors against a snowy backdrop, sledding down these pristine hills...captured for a future of memories!

 
 Gift giving can be as simple as contacting Brewer's Canoers, http://www.brewerscanoers.com/contact.html for a summer trip instead.

Gift Certificates are another great gift idea. With all the craziness of buying presents it can sure limit friends and families' grocery budgets. How about the gift of groceries from Henderson's IGA, http://www.hendersons.iga.com. Henderson's IGA can also simplify your parties and get-togethers by catering with the best food!

For something completely unique and one of a kind, Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery, http://www.outbackvalentine.com and the Quilting Cupboard, https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Quilting-Cupboard/525886570824196,  can help you out.

Do you know someone who needs prayer? How about yourself in this busy season. Patterns from Fear Not Pattern Company, http://fearnotpatternco.com to the rescue! Something for everyone...stitch by stitch pray for the recipient - even if it turns out to be you!

 

Finally, it's time for family and friends to gather together for the annual Christmas at the Bowring Ranch. This Saturday, in Merriman, at 6:00 p.m. MOUNTAIN TIME, you'll be treated to the best beef steak BBQ, music, dancing, and if you don't know anyone when you get there, you'll leave having made friends to visit with again next year. Tickets go fast. Call Park Superintendent Diane Burress at 1-308-684-3428. Find out more by going to http://sandhillswesternvacations.com./Christmas_at_the_Bowring.php

One of the best gifts our community has is the gift of each other! This is made possible, in part, through Cherry County Hospital. Keeping our family, friends, and neighbors healthy. We're a blessed community!

Share your blessings here in Valentine, Nebraska...make it the place where you and your family have warm, treasured memories, all year long!

 

 Celebrating the REASON for the Season! 

Merry Christmas

Outback Screenprinting and more for Christmas!!!

Are you looking for something unique?
Something personal?
Something special for that special someone?
Why not travel to Outback Screenprinting to have your special gift hand made, right here in Valentine, NE? You don't even have to travel, you can call them at 402-376-1190 or send your graphics (high resolution) to outbackvalentine@gmail.com and have the perfect gift made...here's an example of what Jo and the crew can do.

For a nice full screen experience go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gymh07vGUxI

Did you see a mug on the video? That would make a great gift for your parents or grandparents...have a photo of your family emblazoned on there with a catchy word or phrase; how about I love you. They're dishwasher safe! Plates are also available to make a complete set!

Another gift idea is a T-shirt, sweatshirt, or jacket with a family portrait - a one of a kind gift for sure! Outback Screen Printing can also add all the glitz, glitter and bling anyone would ever need to truly make it unique.  After all, failure is not an option!

Their goal is to have all Christmas gifts completed two weeks before Christmas - so if you're stumped, clueless, and need a little help, get a hold of Outback Screen Printing for your one of a kind, unique,  Christmas gifts for the ones you love!!! They're located at 235 N. Main St. Valentine, NE.

SANTA IS COMING TO TOWN! Shop and win $$$

This Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Santa will be at Heart City Dance in downtown Valentine to listen to the kids requests. And yes, Santa will even listen to what moms and dads want as well!

But that's not all! The shops downtown will have special hours and showcase their Christmas splendor! What does that mean? Valentine has an awesome family of shops...with gifts for everyone in your family.

And with a little bit of forethought, if they don't have the item you most want, they'll go above and beyond to get it here, in time, for you. Without leaving town!

Furthermore, shop owners, who know our families, can pass along that Dad was looking at the new drill, or mom wanted that sweater in pink. Takes the stress out of shopping - right!

Some of the shop owners may have treats, specials, and drawings. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a shoppers contest. Get a card and take it to all the shops listed and have them stamped  by the shop and enter for a chance to win $$$$$$. 

But all this can only be done this Sunday, November 17, at Valentine's Holiday Preview.

Now is the time to believe in magic...wishes on millions of little stars and HIS miracles!

Hunting and fishing friendly lodging for fall adventures

It's fall - full blown, colorful, beautiful, and ready for you to explore!!!

 

 

 Valentine had her first frost Friday, October 18, 2013, and it sure did something spectacular to the leaves.

It wasn't long and the sun warmed up the crystals and all you could hear were the trees releasing each leaf...cascading them to the ground below where they raced down the street in a noisy clatter.

Are you a bird watcher? They are beginning their migration and there are many, many, places that you can watch them as they prepare their travels.

 Also beginning their transformation are the caterpillar. This one is a white lined sphinx moth caterpillar; also called a hummingbird moth caterpillar. Once it goes through its metamorphosis, it will sip nectar from morning glories and other long necked flowers, with its long tongue.

With the government shut-down over, there will still be hunting at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. But for the best time ever, why not book your hunting or fishing expedition with Double R Guest Ranch http://www.sandhilldoublerranch.com/html/deerhunts.html. They have the best facilities way out in the middle of nowhere for an experience of a lifetime.

Trade Winds Lodge also caters to the thoughtful folks who enjoy hunting and fishing with facilities to help get their catch cleaned and on its way home. To make reservations go to http://www.tradewindslodge.com/ They're open year-round with doorways open to the parking lot - NO STAIRS!!! In the morning, there's a breakfast bar that will get you on your way - even when the sun's not up quite yet!

 Even though there's a chill in the air, the Niobrara River is serene this time of year without the company of the summer visitors, yet flamboyant in its colors! Why not take a fall trip in a canoe or kayak? You'll still need some sunscreen, and there's still going to be some nice weather before a full fledged winter comes on~right?

  Here's a sunset taken over the Niobrara River which you could be experiencing, along with the beautiful foliage and nature hikes available when you enjoy a fall vacation in the Sandhills.

 Let the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com make your family fun, four season vacation  a trip to remember.
Comments and suggestions are welcomed at sandhillsvacations@yahoo.com

Old time fun at Old West Days and Nebraska Poetry Gathering!!!

Time is passing  by so quickly, just in case you didn't remember, it's time for the 22nd annual Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering at Valentine, Nebraska. There's four days of fun, learning, culture, art, crafts, quilts, writing workshops, poetry and music. But one of the best things is meeting up with old friends. They'll all be there waiting to see you too.
The fun begins Thursday, October 10, with a parade at 4:00 p.m. Only non-motorized entries are allowed in the Old West Days Parade...

 Get your fill Thursday evening with a hamburger feed held at Security First Bank...

before the first showing of the melodrama put on by the Valentine Players. This year's jolting melodrama is Pony Expresso or... the Villain came to a Grinding Halt. Puns galore and a wonderful cast will have you hootin' and hollerin' for the good guys and booin' for the bad guy! And believe me...he's BAD!

Friday begins the poetry and music sessions. Make sure you get your tickets early since they can go quickly. After the sessions, held at the Valentine High School, there are vendors who have all their  western arts, crafts and and homemade items. Hint...in the past there's been homemade candy. But you'll have to come out and see who will have their booths set up in the gym.

Saturday will be more poetry and music sessions. Lyn Messersmith will be teaching at 10:00 a.m. about how to Write the West. She is truly one of a kind, and brings the west to life with her practical approach to life, love, ranching and her gift of conveying it simply but with a great amount of heart. In fact, she's written several books but this one is special: My Sister Mariah. It may at the resource table in the gym or at Plains Trading Booksellers on Main Street. There is a blog entry about Lyn's book which can be found under the year 2011, in September for the 20th annual Old West Days. 

Books also make great Christmas gifts and it's not too early to begin thinking about that.

Some of the featured poets and musicians include: RP Smith, Paul Larson, Yampa Valley Boys, and Pat Richardson to name a few.  Pictured below is Brett Burress who plays a mean fiddle!

Sunday morning, worship Old West style with several of the local churches. Then enjoy God's own country on horseback with the annual trail ride which begins at 1:30 p.m. Meet at Bill Ward's residence for a look at Fredrick's Peak on horseback. You must provide your own horse. To see the map and for more information about the trail ride visit this link: http://nebraskacowboypoetrygathering.com/Other_Events.html

The 22nd annual Old West Days celebration will conclude Sunday evening with the final performance of the melodrama at 7:30 p.m.

Please be sure to use the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com while making your plans to visit. They want to welcome you to Valentine and help you to be a part of the Old West celebration. Want to go down the river? Visit with http://www.brewerscanoers.com/. Not sure where to stay? How about visiting http://www.tradewindslodge.com/ or http://valentinesniobraralodge.com/.
Henderson's IGA will have plenty of quick food to keep you full and ready for your next adventure at: http://www.hendersons.iga.com/. They could even fix you up a picnic for the trail ride, or a fall trip down the Niobrara River.

Businesses downtown will also welcome you. Be sure to stop at Outback Screen Printing for Husker gear. Discover what you'd like by visiting them on-line at http://www.outbackvalentine.com/ and pick it up while you're here. Or call ahead and have them make you something special.

The Quilting Cupboard, https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Quilting-Cupboard/525886570824196?ref=notif&notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite has all you need to make fall that much more cozy...quilting cottons in contemporary, Americana, Civil War, baby soft colors, and Christmas. There's wool for applique projects and patterns to complement the seasons.

They also have wool applique patterns by Fear Not Pattern Company http://fearnotpatternco.com/. Why not pick up a craft pattern and woolens now for a great Christmas gift ... which is right around the corner.

You won't have a better time this fall than a visit to Valentine's Old West Days. It's family fun done right!

Happy Labor Day!!

For those of you who couldn't make it to the Sandhills for Labor Day Weekend...here's a little bit of the Sandhills brought to you!

It's not terribly hot at the moment, and the cicadas are droning on and on and on...signaling that there isn't much left of summer.


Using the power of your imagination, this could be you enjoying the splendor of Smith Falls!

 The giant rock at the middle right, fell from the falls in 2009, due to the heat, cold, and ice; changing its face forever.

After the water flows over the falls it continues down a small stream, over the small, cascading falls and out to the Niobrara River.

 

 

Again, using the power of your imagination...pretend you're here.

With your family.....friends....extended family...school buddies. Whatever. The tents are up, smoke from grill fills the skies, and you know it's Labor Day Weekend. Can you smell the hamburgers? Steak? Maybe it's s'mores? All of which can be found at our local Hendersons IGA.

Some mammatus clouds fill the sky as evening descends. The backside of the hail storm Hay Springs got?

Here's a Labor Day worthy sunset - no matter what type of weather you're experiencing. Cool winds, not too much humidity, and a crispness that indicates fall is around the corner and the end of the droning of these cicadas.

Really, The Sandhills are beautiful regardless of the weather! Actually, it's their moodiness that make them such a fantastic place to visit...Happy Labor Day, even if you're on work break checking this out on your phone, tablet or desktop. We're always open for adventure and you're always welcome!
Check out the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com and make your reservations for next week, or next year. Stay at Trade Winds Lodge or Valentines Niobrara Lodge. You may want to make reservations now for the annual Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering.

It's not too late to enjoy the fall colors on a trip down the Niobrara with Brewers Canoers. The scenic Niobrara River is a little quieter this time of year.

May you enjoy your pretend visit to the Sandhills of Nebraska!