August 31, 2013

Valentine, Nebraska: Heart of the Sandhills

Heart shaped sign in Valentine, Nebraska The Heart City

Ms. Erin of Tesori Trovati is hosting her 2nd Annual Challenge of Travel today and I'm insanely excited about the whole thing.  Last year we were assigned countries, and I had a ton of fun learning about and being inspired by Senegal (read about it here).  This year's theme is "Staycation" and we were encouraged to explore our own hometowns.  I live in North Platte, Nebraska and have for over 25 years now, but it still isn't what I think of as my hometown.  My heart will always belong to Valentine, Nebraska (see what I did there?).  I was born and raised in Valentine, spent my formative years there.  It's where I met and married my husband.  I still have family there and have spent time showing my children all my favorite places.  Today, I'd like to share "my" Valentine with you!  (Many, many thanks to my "niece",  Audrey Bellew, for taking these photos for me.)

As can be expected of a town named Valentine (named for Congressman E. K. Valentine, by the way), the heart theme comes up a lot.  People from all of the world have sent their Valentine's Day cards to Valentine to have them postmarked from Valentine before being sent on their way to loved ones.  February 14th is a big deal (check out this post if you want to see my humiliating photo of my teenage self dressed as a tree and find out how that relates to Valentine's Day!).  But that's only a small part of Valentine's appeal.

Scenic view near Valentine, Nebraska sunflowers

The town is tucked in the middle of the Nebraska Sandhills and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery you could ask for.  The area is full of rolling hills and canyons.  The Niobrara River and the Minnechaduza Creek wind through the area.  A good sized lake, Merritt Reservoir, is just 30 miles from town and formed by a dam on yet another river, the Snake.  There are natural springs and waterfalls all over the place.  Not what you think of when you think "Sandhills", is it?  I spent a lot of time around water growing up.  As a mater of fact, my father worked for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and we lived in a house in the fish hatchery, located in a valley a mile outside of town.

Pond in Valentine Fish Hatchery with weeping willow tree on island

See that white house behind the pond?  That was our house. If you get to Valentine, you'll want to take a minute to drive through the hatchery.  The views are worth it.  And be sure to go to one of the local restaurants and order a steak.  You're in the heart of cattle country here and you can't get a bad steak.  Oh, and plan a day for tubing or canoeing the Niobrara - that's a MUST.  

Niobrara River near Valentine, Nebraska

My friends and I spent many a summer day floating the river on inner tubes in my teenage years.  Back then we had to borrow tubes and haul them ourselves, but now there are outfitters who will rent you what you need, get you there AND pick you up.  Sights like this are not uncommon:

Conoes from outfitter in Valentine for Niobrara River trips

If you want rapids, you have to go a bit further down the river, but the part closest to town is very tame.  It's calm and relaxing and very scenic.  As proof of its safety, I offer this photo of my 79-year-old grandmother floating it with us a few years ago!

Grandmother at age 79 floating the Niobrara River on an inner tube

If you go, pack a cooler with lots of cold drinks and some sandwiches.  You won't believe how good a plain old white bread sandwich will taste on the river!

Centennial Hall Museum haunted school house

If you're looking for something to do between going down the river and going out for dinner (steaks, remember?), check out the old haunted schoolhouse (okay, I'll let you decide whether or not it's haunted).  Built in 1897, this building was used as an elementary school and was later used as part of the high school.  I went to high school there way back when.  It was strange, with stairs only about 3" high (made for little tiny folks, apparently) and water fountains only a couple of feet off the floor.  It was also notoriously cold or hot (depending on where your room was located and the time of the year).  And the best part is the memory of the bat flying through our Geometry room during class once.  True story.  

A new school has since been built and this building is now home to the Centennial Hall Museum.  Yes, the oldest standing high school in Nebraska, where I went (groan), is now a museum.  I'm pretty sure you qualify for geezerhood when your school is now a museum, but moving right along....  The building is rumored to be haunted and several paranormal investigations have been done there. Go check it out and be sure to come back and tell me if you experience anything other-worldly!

So, let's see... scenic drives, river trips, steaks, haunted high school... that ought to keep you busy for a while.  Oh, and the Wildlife Refuge is very cool - you can see buffalo grazing on the prairie!   If you still have time, go for a hike, check out a waterfall, go fishing or check out the quaint downtown area with hearts stenciled on the sidewalks.

Downtown Valentine with hearts stencilled on the sidewalk and heart shaped signs

After much deliberation (read "procrastinating"),  I decided to take my inspiration from the heart symbol.  (Another insider tip:  be sure to drive north on Main Street after dark and go clear to the end where you can see the lit heart up on the hill across from the city park.)  I haven't tried actually knotting a heart before and I really wanted to knot it, not just use a heart shaped bead or pendant, so I started playing around with the idea.

 First attempt at knotting a heart shape in micro macrame

My first attempt was pretty rough, but it did help me figure out a few things.  My second attempt was much better, I think.

Original heart micro macrame design by Sherri Stokey of Knot Just Macrame

As you can see, I kept the double heart design, but modified the center portion a bit and tidied up the knot work.  I switched to a red cord appropriate for the theme and added some beads into the mix.

Original heart micro macrame design by Sherri Stokey of Knot Just Macrame

This piece is far from my comfort zone, but I think it fits the Heart City perfectly.  I hope you'll take some time and visit the others involved in this challenge - I know I will!  (Find the list here.)  And if you'd like to read more about my version of Mayberry, check out this post.   Thanks for stopping by!!

24 comments:

  1. I'm really enjoying learning about such varied places and the folks who were formed in them--great idea for a hop, Erin! I think I'd go to your hometown just to see those clouds.

    I'm in awe of all your knotwork, but how you can just sit down and come up with hearts is beyond me!

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  2. Sweet design. Floating down the lazy river sounds real good to me.

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  3. Beautiful bracelet. I really enjoy reading about Nebraska. As I mentioned we always traveled I 81 back and forth from OK to NE for several years before moving here. I enjoyed following the Platte River. Beautiful.

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  4. Thanks for sharing your wonderful hometown and beautiful work, Sherri... I'm sure Valentine, Nebraska is proud of what their daughter has achieved!

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  5. Beautiful macrame work! Your part of Nebraska is lovely! Very nice post!

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  6. Great article Sherri. Audrey did a wonderful job with her pictures. I'm thinking you should send this article to Dean at the Chamber of Commerce and he could use it in their Discover Valentine book.

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  7. Stunning macramé! I think you captured you hometown perfectly with this piece! So many fun things to do and I think just floating down the river would be awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Valentine sounds like a wonderful place. I live in Kansas and will be adding this to my long list of places I want to visit. Your macrame bracelet is stunning!!!!

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  9. Your town reminds me a lot of Idaho where I spent my early 20s. I spent a lot of time out on the rivers with both Payette and the Snake being available to play on. I just love your valentine bracelet.

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  10. The haunted schoolhouse brought back memories of my childhood! Your bracelet is a beautiful representation of your town! Love it.

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  11. I always love to see your work and I adore your hearts! Perfect!

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  12. Love your home town and getting to know you just a little big more - spending time at the river resonates with me, as I kid I did the same thing. Your work is always stunning, love the new design - perfect for this challenge!

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  13. I have never really had an urge to go to Nebraska but after seeing the pictures you posted I wouldn't mind ending up there sometime. The sky is just incredible! I love your tree story and picture too! You did a great job creating a heart in your specialty...knots!

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  14. Nebraska is one of the only 7 US states I have not visited. I always pictured it MUCH different than your pictures! It looks lovely, and your piece is really wonderful.

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  15. What a gorgeous river! I love it! I live on a river and find such peace just walking along the levy. I would feel right at home in Valentine Nebraska, I just know it. You did a fantastic job with your macrame heart shapes! I love your piece!

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  16. Enjoyed your tour very much, and love the heart bracelet!

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  17. Sherri, your knotted pieces are really awe-inspiring. Now you have made hearts! Wow, just wow. Your descriptions made me really want to visit Valentine for sure. Really good steaks and a gentle float down the river sounds perfect. Andra

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  18. Fabulous Sherri! And I loved reading about the hometown of your heart (pun thoroughly intended!).

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  19. What a lovely bracelet and very fitting for a town with such a special name. And I love that hilly landscape. It looks just beautiful!

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  20. I've been thru your town a few times and always wished I wasn't in a truck, so I could drive around town and check it out!
    I just love how you made your hearts with knots!
    How clever is that!
    Lovely bracelet!

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  21. I love your bracelet! I didn't even realize there was a Valentine, Nebraska. How cool! In my type of design, knots are a bad thing. But in your world, they are an amazing thing! Your design is stellar my friend!

    {Hugs!}

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  22. Oh Miss Sherri! I love this bracelet so much! I am always in awe of how you work out your designs. You have made me want to hop in the car and drive straight on through to Valentine! What a wonderful time it would be! Sorry that it took me so long to get around to all the hometowns. With this fundraiser I am doing it has taken all my free time this past week. I want to savor every one! Thank you for joining me on the journey! Enjoy the day. Erin

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  23. When did you live at the fish hatchery? I can remember going there as a kid. One of the buildings had fish tanks displaying the fish of the area

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  24. It is truly a well-researched content and excellent wording. I got so engaged in this material that I couldn’t wait reading. I am impressed with your work and skill. Thanks. hikedatabase.com/united-states/hiking-in-rhode-island/

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