There's madness in Valentine, Nebraska!!!!

Not to worry....the people here really are alright....it's just time for Moonlight Madness....booohhhhaaa!

Participating stores will have unrelated items hidden in their business from other stores in town. Find that item and you'll be entered for a drawing of ALL the unrelated items, in addition to $250!!!

Moonlight Madness will be held Thursday, October 23, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. And while you're here...why not enjoy some of the beauty of the Sandhills? Colorful countryside and animals preparing for winter...there's a lot to see and do in the Sandhills of Nebraska.

Enjoy all there is to offer in the Sandhills of Nebraska including our madness...Moonlight Madness that is! There are so many unique shops that will have unrelated items. Remember to visit the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River dressed in her fall colors Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery. Or visit them on-line and pick your items up while you're here.

There's plenty more to do and see while you're in the area. Your ticket to four season, family fun and Nebraska Adventure can be found at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ... enjoy the madness of Moonlight Madness in Valentine!

R&R is in the air! Enjoy some at the 23rd annual Old West Days and Nebraska Cowboy Poetry Gathering

The hay has been put up....the calves have gone to market - or will be shortly....and really, you do deserve a break from it all.

So head to Valentine, Nebraska, and enjoy some inspirational cowboy music and poetry - of which some can be down right hilarious in it's truthfulness. It's good to know you're not the only one with a bossy Bessy on the ranch.

Old West Days begins October 9 and will continue through October 12, 2014.
Thursday begins the festivities with a BBQ at Security First Bank, grilled by Henderson's IGA. You'll be serenaded with live entertainment, which is followed by the Old Time Melodrama....boo and hiss the villain, and cheer on the good guys!

You know you're getting a great burger from Henderson's IGA at the Kick-off BBQ!

Friday is when the poetry sessions begin, and there are several to chose from - a day full of prose and stories and western music. These events will take place at the Valentine High School.

Brett Burress and his band were entertainers last year. 

This year the featured entertainers include: Bill Barwick, Elizabeth Ebert, D.W. Groethe, Miss V, the Gypsy Cowbelle, and Brooke Turner.

Last year Lyn Messersmith had a writing workshop. She has written many books which 

are available at Plains Trading Book Sellers.

God has given her a gift of storytelling and you'll hang on every word. 

There will also be the Western art, trade and quilt show - things to take back home to remind you of simpler times. There are also books and music on sale from the performers so you can keep that feeling all year long.

The quilt show will have your mind whirring - putting your stash to work in your head! If you're not a quilter, you can admire the handiwork put into these works of art!

No budget for the real thing? How about a stick horse!!!! There are one of a kind items at the Trade Show - and it's about that time to begin thinking of Christmas gift giving. 

Saturday there are more music and poetry sessions which begin at 9:00 a.m. both days. For the writer in you, a Writing the West Workshop will be held with Yvonne Hollenbeck giving a Self Publishing Workshop, hosted by Duane Gudgel who is the owner of Plains Trading and Book Sellers here in Valentine.

Duane Gudgel, owner of Plains Trading Book Sellers

Yvonne Hollenbeck and her honey! The subject of many of her award winning poems. 

Poetry and entertainment will continue on into the evening performance which begins at 7:30 p.m., both nights.

Sunday morning, enjoy Old West Church Services.
Then take in God's glory as you partake in the annual Trail Ride which begins at 2:00 p.m.
The final event of Old West Days is the last performance of the Old Time Melodrama which is at 7:30 p.m.

The Valentine Players will have something special in store for you with their Old Time Melodrama!

The Old Time Melodrama and the Featured Performances all require tickets which can be purchased through the Valentine Chamber of Commerce by calling 402-376-2969.
To find out more about the Featured Performers, Old West Church Services, and the Trail Ride go to the official website at: nebraskacowboypoetrygathering.com.
It's a great way to enjoy a little R&R after a blessed summer, abundant hay and great cattle prices.

While you're in town, enjoy Main Street!!! There are so many unique shops and stores, not to mention characters, who own and operate these businesses. Remember to visit the sponsors of SandhillsWesternVacations.com. They can help you with accommodations at Trade Winds Lodge, food at Henderson's IGA, a river trip which will showcase the extraordinary diversity of the Niobrara National Scenic River dressed in her fall colors Brewers Canoers and Tubers. There are unique, one of a kind, gifts galore that can be found at Berry Creek Gun and Pawn Shop, located right down the street from The Quilting Cupboard, which has patterns from Fear Not Pattern Co.. For a one of a kind gift that is uniquely yours, head over to Outback Screenprinting and Embroidery. Or visit them on-line and pick your items up while you're here.

There's plenty more to do and see while you're in the area. Your ticket to four season, family fun and Nebraska Adventure can be found at SandhillsWesternVacations.com ... make this truly an R&R trip back in time!

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!