Smith Falls

After overnighting at Grandma and Grandpa’s, we got up and headed toward Valentine, NE. Aunt Kylie and her kids were looking for some entertainment, so we asked them if they would want to accompany us. Though we had to drive separately, we arrived at the park around the same time.
The girls really enjoyed the company of their cousins, Mason and Kinsley.

We crossed the bridge over the Niobrara River.

We stopped to look at the river.

We saw canoes and tubes floating downstream and made a mental note to take part in one of these activities sometime in the future.

We found our post without issue and Mason helped us to get the rubbing.

Then we continued up the path to the falls.

There are two smaller falls along the path. This was the middle of the three.


Soon we approached the big falls.

The girls wanted to get up close. So did Mason and Kinsley.













Aunt Kylie kindly offered to take a family picture before we left.


Zellie enjoyed seeing the falls as well.

She appreciates the beauty of nature.

Finally, we checked out the lowest of the falls.

Mason, Lissie, Clare, and Bernadette posed on the lowest falls.

Rhylander Park

We visited Rhylander Park in Plattsmouth on a sunny summer day as another stop on our Park Pursuit. It consisted of a neat playground, a beautiful garden, and a nice walking path around a kids soccer field.



Felicity was in rare form showing all of her attitude.


We spent a long time at the playground.


Papa told us all about how railroad tracks work.
































We had a picnic in the gazebo.


And got our rubbing.


We enjoyed the slides


and the swings



Even Zellie got a turn


They had a rock wall


Which we all had to climb





It was a fun stop to start off a weekend.

Chalco Hills

One Saturday in mid-July, Mama and Papa had worked very hard around the house all morning. Mowing, cleaning, weeding, and various other chores took them into the early afternoon hours, and the girls were feeling like some fun was needed. It was decided that we would make the drive over to Omaha to get another Park Pursuit stop in. Our destination was Chalco Hills. Chalco Hills features numerous play areas and a lake that can be used for fishing. We opted not to fish on this day, since evening was quickly approaching, but instead we headed for the play ground.




After a stopover there, we headed out to find out post. We started down the hiking/biking path, but Papa's GPS told us that this wasn't the way we needed to go.


Doubling back, we found a secret path that lead into the woods.


Along this path, near a bench, we found our mark.


The girls got their rubbing quickly, trying to avoid the ticks in the area.


After that, we headed back to the play area for one last go-round before we returned home. It was a somewhat quick trip, but it was still fun for all.

Niobrara State Park

The Niobrara River cuts across most of northern Nebraska, in the same way the Platte does in the south. They both eventually flow into the Missouri river: the Niobrara does so near the town which shares its name, the Platte joining near Plattsmouth. This park is near the confluence, or coming together, of the Niobrara and the Missouri.

This is an scenic overlook of the confluence of the Niobrara and a Missouri.

We went for a hike to find our post. Bernadette found a walking stick along the way.

Trying out our camera's black and white setting. Behind the girls is the town of Niobrara. In between the town and the lookout is the end of the Niobrara River.

Zellie and Felicity enjoyed the freshly mowed grass.

Got our post!

After getting our post and rubbing, we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's for the the fireworks. It was a great start to the weekend.

Monowi

A lot of people claim to be from a small town. However, north-central Nebraska is home to the nation's smallest incorporated town. Monowi, NE has a population of 1. Between the 4th of July parade/picnic and the fireworks that evening, we decided drive to Niobrara SRA. Monowi happened to be along the way, so Papa introduced us to this tiny town.

That is a population sign, not a distance to sign.

The town has a small shop and the remnants of what we guess was probably a bar. Of course Felicity noticed the outdoor restrooms in between the two buildings.

It also features a small "library" - a building not much bigger than a garden shed.

4th of July Parade

Another of our family traditions is attending the 4th of July parade in Stuart, NE. Papa has been to this parade almost every year of his life and so he likes us to make it as often as we can. It is a great way to celebrate Independence Day.



And did we mention that a lot of the floats throw candy?


After the parade, we headed to the city park and had a picnic lunch with our extended family (well over 50 people). Then Bernadette, Clare, and Felicity competed in the races.