Your timing is PERFECT for a Sandhills Vacation!

Haven't taken your vacation yet? Now is the perfect time! Temperatures have been cooperative. Traffic is slowly headed back home, which makes parks, campsites, and hotel rooms less crowded. Not to mention Main Street is having all sorts of sales...and it's nearly back to school. Sales you don't want to miss. Room and campground availability and weather that's perfect!
Here's some other things you wouldn't want to miss...

We'e had rain, which means GREEN! This is looking over the Snake River at Prairie Club. 

Don't care for bugs? Sure, but who can say that about a butterfly? This year there have been plenty. 

Even on a hot day, refreshment has been provided for this little sparrow...aren't you just as important?

So take off! Literally! Get out here in the middle of the Sandhills!

Don't let the storms of life keep you away....

Reflect on how great you'll feel after a Sandhills Vacation....

Sprint, run, or prance out here...this is photo was taken approximately a week ago, what a beautiful sight!

Too busy at the office? We have Wi-Fi...you're covered!

The calming blue waters of Merritt Reservoir are waiting to be fished, frolicked, and had fun in. 

The sun is beginning to set on the summer fun season...

The peaceful scenery and traffic are worth the drive!!!!

Even the clouds are cooperative. Stunning really. 

The sun is setting earlier and earlier...a crispness is in the evening air. You're invited. Come and vacation here in Nebraska's Sandhills!

Get a MOOOOOOO-ve on...the greeting committee will be standing by!

Let the sponsors at sandhillswesternvacations.com help you plan your perfect, family fun, four season, vacation!

Tonight!!!! Don't miss the PARTY!!!

It's the annual Nebraska Star Party!!! Tonight!!! Friday, August 1...you're ALL invited!!!

Be there at 9:00 so you can hear all about our stars, the Milky Way and maybe even see a meteor!

This ghostly image is someone climbing a ladder to see a deep space object with a huge telescope! You're invited to observe down on DOB Row! That's what these huge 

telescopes are called...Dobsonian's!

Not all deep sky objects require the use of a ladder. Either way, come on out and make new friends!

Or sit and visit with old friends under the pristine Milky Way at Merritt Reservoir's Snake Campground...five miles or so past the dam. It's a night you'll always remember!

For more information about the Nebraska Star Party go to: Summer Time Fun on SandhillsWesternVacations.com...

Enjoy the show!

Before summer ends...Nebraska Star Party, Crazy Day savings, and Cherry County Fair!!!

On this night the moon is (check it out....) one day after a new moon. Why is that important? It makes the stars that much more brilliant and, after all, the star party is about the beauty of the stars! It's the 21st annual Nebraska Star Party with the theme, It's a Sure Bet!
Star gazers will be out from July 27-August 1 this year and it's a sure bet everything is going to cooperate!

Mr. Eclipse is the keynote speaker and is a scientist emeritus and NASA's expert on eclipses. Additionally, he maintains NASA's eclipse website as well as his own MrEclipse website. He has also co-authored the book, Totality-Eclises of the Sun, along with Five Millennium Canon of Solar Eclipses with 5000 years of eclipse maps, and most recently, Lessons from the Masters: Current Concepts in Astronomical Image Processing. Without a doubt, Mr. Eclipse chases down eclipses and participated in dozens of eclipse expeditions around the world. Wonder what his favorite one was?

You'll have to come and hear him speak to find out that answer for yourself!! He's made a name for himself by following eclipses and to honor him, the International Astronomical Union honored him by naming an asteroid Espenak. An asteroid named after himself!

While Fred Espanak is retired to rural Arizona, that doesn't mean he's not willing to come out and share his knowledge and passion for those strange, mystical, occurrences called eclipses! You can check out his astrophotography at AstroPixelsAstroPixels.com.

The week long Star Party takes place out at Merritt Reservoir and information can be found here at SandhillsWesternVacations.com.

Back in the day, there wasn't TV to watch, so people kept their evenings free and watched the stars. Whether you're a veteran star gazer or you've never even looked through a telescope, the organizers are hopeful that you'll plan to spend the eek with them for an unforgettably fun and economical vacation under the stars.

Wednesday, July 30, there will be programs for adults and children. Adults can listen to Mr. Eclipse while the children's program is designed to stimulate interest in science. It' sa hands on program and features lab activities promoting thought and discovery! These activities will be held at Valentine High School, located on Green Street in Valentine.

So you thought about signing up to attend the week long event and didn't. You can still experience the thrill of seeing the stars on Friday, August 1, when organizers host the ever popular Public Star Party which begins at 9:00 p.m. at the Snake Campground at Merritt Reservoir.

Here are some scenes from last year's 20th event and retired astronaut Clayton Anderson.
These were taken by star gazer Martin Hrdlicka, with many thanks! You can view more of his photos via flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/martyh74/

Dinner Time! 

NAA Member's Hill! 

 M31 - Andromeda Galaxy

Milky Way NSP 20! 

Veil Nebula 

 C11 Telescopes against a fiery Sandhill sky!

Ron and Jim 

Space Shuttle Slide 

Swan Nebula

These photos are by Laura Vroman and show the photographers voting for their favorite astrophotograph. Below is Martin kneeling as he makes his selection. 

Martin chooses his favorite photo while others enjoy the sights. 

 Who is that in the front of the class? Retired astronaut Clayton Anderson...Nebraska's only astronaut.  He was so passionate about becoming an astronaut he applied to the program 19 times! 

Never say never! 

You can look at the sun BUT ONLY WITH SPECIAL TELESCOPES. USING SPECIAL TELESCOPES these kids were able to see solar flares and sun spots. 

Kids are learning the different sizes of the planets. One of them said, "Jesus is bigger." 

Touche'.

The things you can learn at the Nebraska Star Party are overwhelming, wonderful, simple, exciting, and part of your everyday life, actually. One of the organizers said it is the solar flares from the sun that predict our weather patterns. 

But you'll have to join in the fun to find out more!

The Star Party will wrap up officially, Friday, August 1. But some may hang out since is a great opportunity for a family vacation. Everyone can take part in Crazy Day, Saturday August 2!!! Our sponsors will have bargains galore for you! School is right around the corner, and you may be surprised at the savings you'll find down Valentine's Main Street! 

Up next will be the Cherry County Fair. For immediate information go to: http://www.sandhillswesternvacations.com/Cherry_County_Fair_3.php

Summer is nearly at a close...but it's not over yet! There's still plenty for you and your family to enjoy in the Sandhills of Nebraska!

God Bless America!!!

God Bless America and we're happy to be celebrating her birthday this July 4th! Fireworks continue to reverberate throughout the night and light up the skies( it's 2:30 a.m.!!!). 

We've had blessed rain that has kept the rivers flowing, the fields green, and temperatures cool enough to enjoy it all!

Here then, from SandhillsWesternVacations.com and her sponsors, a birthday celebrating America's freedom all the way from the Sandhills of Valentine, Nebraska!

Great message Berry Creek Gun and Pawn! We do love our freedom...Veterans, thank you! And God bless our troops - keep them from harms way! Amen!

George and Martha make an appearance!

The Lions Club did a fabulous job, as always, with the fireworks display after the demolition derby!

Just a little cooperation! This parade entry had a little trouble, but Support our Troops was its message! Troops, we're red, white, and blue, behind you!

There were several Rat Rods wearing patriotic colors in this years parade!

Fire Chief Terry Engles is thankful for the moisture this year! Celebrate July 4th!!!!

  

 The Quilting Cupboard....

 Cherry County Hospital...

Henderson's IGA..... 

Trade Winds Lodge....

Brewer's Canoers....

Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery.....

Fear Not Pattern Co.....

All wish America a very Happy Birthday! Long may she wave and may God Bless her and her men and women that fight bravely to keep her free!

Happy Father's Day!!!....sure it's not until June 15...but here's some ideas from the Heart City! Plus weekend activities!

You love your dad and don't know what he needs or wants. If he's like a lot of dads, he has everything...except for adventure! That's why he needs a vacation in Valentine, Nebraska...a relaxing float on the Niobrara River! Brewers Canoers can help you out with tube, canoe or kayak reservations. This is the Niobrara River with the sun glistening off the gentle waves as it goes down!

Make it a family affair and get your whole family matching adventure shirts...Niobrara River!!!! Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery has everything you need...T-shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, caps, flasks, shoes...for the entire family. But this is Father's Day we're talking about. With Outback Screen Printing and Embroidery, you get to be the designer...choose what you want and it will be ready when you get here!

What dad doesn't love to grill? Henderson's IGA has Traeger grills and beef that will melt in your mouth cooked the Traeger way. Click on Henderson's link above and go to their Traeger grill information tab. Your dad will be king of the feast!

Maybe he's not into water or grilling...perhaps he's a marksman. Berry Creek Gun and Pawn will have something he's ALWAYS WANTED! And there is the local shooting range for him to practice with his new firearm.

Now to make Father's Day extra special stay at Trade Winds Lodge. John and Joan are the best people and will make you feel like family during your stay. There is even breakfast, so no one will have to cook!

Moms and the girls might need something to do while dad relaxes in front of the TV at Trade Winds...head downtown and visit the Quilting Cupboard. There's fabric that would be perfect for a quilt for dad...at Christmas!!!! Why not peek now and see what you can find. You'll have allllll summer loooooong to get it completed!

While you're there, pick up a little wool project by Fear Not Pattern Co. No doubt Dad has had days that drive him down right batty?? Perhaps he needs to Fully Rely On God? There's a pattern for both. And something for moms, and grandmas, and ... well, you get the idea.

Go on... give dad the adventure of a lifetime, right here in Valentine, Nebraska! You'll benefit from the adventure as well. After all, the Sandhills are Your Ticket 4 Adventure...Family fun all year round!

Remember...this weekend is packed full of Dad stuff! The 4th annual Andrew Claymon Fishing Tournament at Merritt Reservoir this Saturday, then at 6:00 p.m. is the Valentine Classic Motor Club Cruise Night. Relay for Life begins with a supper at 5:30 and the Survivor Lap will begin at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome!