Friday Photography: Homestead High Plains in Black & White

High Plains Homestead near Crawford, NE

Friday Photography: Homestead High Plains in Living Color

I had fun experimenting with both my camera and my cell phone when I was taking photographs around the High Plains Homestead.  So, while I will end up with several entries about the place, each one shows a different angle or viewpoint.  And even though four blog posts (including the one I wrote previously) seems like a lot, since I do not plan to write very much, hopefully you can breeze through them (or save them for another day!)  And if you have an opinion as to which style of photographs suit the place the best, I would be interested in reading your comments.

The view across the road.

The interior contained mail boxes and everything!

Kitchen Collection of another day …

Side of the mercantile.

I would enjoy having this “Jesus the Good Shepherd” photograph gracing our home even today!

You’re in the jailhouse now …

More than your average souvenir shop …

Farm implements of yesteryear …

A stroll down the short boardwalk …

One could leave with a bit of nature (for sale in a shed …)

The beauty of the Nebraska panhandle!

A (somewhat sad) tale of two (Nebraska) lakes

Going to college in Minnesota, I loved living such a short driving distance from many lakes.  I would go for walks along the shore and even attempt to complete homework in the serene locations.  So, when I have a chance to go see a big lake in Nebraska, I am really excited.

Lake # 1

On our way home from the Panhandle Monday, I convinced my husband to drive a bit out of the way to drive by Lake McConaughy on our way back home.  We had packed a picnic, and I thought that we could not find a lovelier dining setting.  (Plus the lake is a part of the Nebraska Great Park Pursuit, and the kids & I were wanting to get another post rubbing).

One of our first glimpses of the lake.

The lake was definitely beautiful.

And so was the surrounding shoreline!

We stopped at just one portion of the lake.  Area 2.  Near the showers and the post.  We had the area to ourselves.  Well, almost.

What we did not anticipate: flies.  Everywhere.  At first I was annoyed with my children about their complaining about the flies.  (And the heat, but that’s another story!)  Then I became annoyed with the flies.  Actually rather mad especially once they started biting.  And even drew blood.  Ouch!

A view near the rubbing post (we did at least get that!)

Suddenly, we could not wait to leave.  The view from the minivan was much more attractive than the great outdoors.  (Obviously we may not make great campers!)  The kids finished their lunch in the car, and I took a few more pictures out of the window.  Much more comfortable.

Should have brought forth a peaceful, easy feeling – instead was still feeling stressed about the picnic failure.

A slightly blurry view of the dam.

A museum is near the official entrance to the lake and dam.  They feature information about water conservation and the lake.  At this point, we were just ready to leave the area.  End of Lake Experience # 1.

Lake # 2

This adventure actually took place a day later (you think we would have been tired of being in the car).  But no, the kids and I were determined that we were going to get one last Great Park Pursuit rubbing.  So, since we were in Waverly and halfway there, we headed out to find Lake Wanahoo near Wahoo.  My grandparents lived up in northern Nebraska, so I think we drove by this lake different times growing up.  But we had never stopped, so I was looking forward to getting out and exploring.

But, I tend to be a bit optimistic on timing.  On how long the completion of a task really takes.  That day was no exception.  Our timing was later than I hoped, and my daughter had gymnastics we needed to get back for.  So while wandering around was no longer an option, I still wanted to get to the post.  I did not pay enough attention to the fact that the post was 1/2 mile away.  That usually means a trek across grass and a harder one to spot – different than the ones near parking lots.   We could not find the post.  Anywhere.  Finally we called the NGPP and asked for assistance.  Eventually we found this sign.

So one of my sons (the one with the allergies) joined me on my sprint across the prairie to find the rubbing quickly to hopefully make it back to Lincoln in time for a 4:30 event that we had scheduled.  (We were both a bit stuffy later!)  We ran part of the way (he at least had tennis shoes) and felt like giving up this point.  But we were so close, so we didn’t.  We successfully found the post (after 20+ minutes of being at the park).  We ran back to car.  The other kids had climbed out in the meantime, and a bee had flown in.  So, now I got to be exterminator (thankfully he flew out when I swooped at him).  But this did delay us further.  I snapped a couple of pictures of the lake.

A lovely little lake!

We could see the rain beginning to fall nearby …

There was even a winding path.  Untraveled by us due to timing!

Then headed home (where we were 10 minutes late, so my daughter had to skip practice)!  This lake was also not what I expected – hopefully we will make it back someday when we can actually enjoy what the lake has to offer.  End of Lake Experience # 2.

Maybe someday my Nebraska Lake experiences will work out better.  We did get our Nebraska Great Park Pursuit rubbings sent in yesterday.  If you participated in the Park Pursuit, your entry needs to be postmarked by Monday.  So, it’s not too late to join in the fun. Now that the Husker game is over, you have the rest of the week-end to go out  and experience one of the great Nebraska State Parks.  Hopefully your trips will go better than ours did!  At least we made some long-term memories.