Interesting fact about Nebraska- About 100 years ago, Dr Bessey decided that trees once grew on the sandhills and should again. Today Nebraska sports a 20,000 acre man made forest at Halsey, Nebraska. The Nebraska National Forest. What is it good for? Habitat and Recreation. I thought it might be good for showers too, but no such luck.
The sandhills of Nebraska are fascinating. Huge waves of light fine sands anchored by a thin layer of growth, someone called it switch grass, and prairie flowers and sandburs. With a heavy rain, a gully washer, the sand is exposed, thus, the story of the wise and foolish man is played out in Nebraska. Without that layer of grass, I picture a sea of sand somewhat like the Sahara Desert. And with a wind like today, I imagine terrible sandstorms. I have tried to take pictures of them, but the camera doesn't quite capture it. I'll keep trying.
Did you know that train engineers switch shifts right in the middle of the prairie? They pick up their lunch pails and thermos and walk away from the train to a waiting pickup. One of them, I saw, had on bib overalls but he didn't have a matching hat or red bandanna. One more fantasy bites the dust, in this case, the sand.
We took a 150 mile side trip to Grand Island, Nebraska to get Cal's bike wheel fixed. They have a beautiful downtown with great possibilities but it was rather quiet due to commercial sprawl. While we waited, we had coffee at the Blue Moon Coffee Shop. Cal checked his work e-mail while I read a children's book of jokes and riddles -(like "what musical instrument does a skeleton play?" "A tromBONE".) much to his annoyance. I think children need to learn more jokes and riddles.
When this you see-
remember me.
Love,
Mary
4 comments:
When Don was driving for Windstar Bus Lines, he sometimes would drive maybe a dozen train engineers from Boone out to Nebraska...so yes, I knew about those shift changes.
Lana
Glenn and I are enjoying your blogs so much. We check in every evening to see where you are and what's happening. We are so grateful that Cal was healed so quickly and that he can complete his mission.
Keep up the great work and we'll keep praying for you both!!
Donna
Hi Mary! We just went on a train ride up in Boone! It was fun! It is good to hear/read you and Cal are back in the saddle! hee! hee!
Miss you! Happy Trails!
Love ya, Terri
The park people told us to go down to the Loup River and go wading. The river drains the sand hills and was so clear. You could see your toes whiggle standing in hip deep water
david
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