The Dean of Travel

Nebraska Evening

One of the most helpful things I do for myself is to go for a walk in nature when my mind is racing with a million things.

Here's some of what I saw as my brain was downloading!

 

It's easy to decompress with this as your backdrop!

 

Quote of the day:  Silence is a fence around wisdom.  –German Proverb

 

Summer Time in Nebraska

I am currently in the middle of a writing project centered on my home county of Dodge in Nebraska.   At the end of the day, instead of taking the highway home, I meander down brown gravel country roads and soak up the quiet countryside.

Friday I found this country church nestled into the corn and soybean fields.   Telephone poles, like crosses leading the way.

A crop duster brushes over the top of a farm.   Crazy or brave? 

Niobrara River, Western NE

The Niobrara National Scenic River is located in north-central Nebraska.  It is one of the most beautiful places in my home state, and a absolute treat to spend a weekend on.   Often when traveling abroad, I think of this place, and make a promise to myself to visit it when I return.  

 The river offers the chance to have an up close connection with nature.

Situated in the heart of the Great Plains, this river provides a chance to see what a wild land looked like. Appearing much the same as it did to those who came before us.

For two days the wind gently blew from the west, offering a gentle nudge down the river.

Small falls line the canyon. 

 Beautiful scenes above the canyon and on the plains make this place even more special.

 A herd of Elk graze before bedding bedding down for the night. 

Happy 4th of July from Nebraska!

Another stormy afternoon in Eastern Nebraska

 After visiting with a friend in Lincoln Nebraska Friday afternoon I headed north back to Fremont.  On the horizon the sky was filled with dark ominous clouds.  A quick call home found my brother and mom heading for the basement in Fremont, the sirens were blasting.

I missed the storm, but saw plenty to remind me of how we live in a active place, at least weather wise.

This is what's left of a corn field south of Fremont right after a hail storm and 70 MPH winds mowed it over like a sand blaster.  The piles of hail stones created a temporary fog over the field.

An irrigation system lost the battle against the wind.  There's no corn left to water anyway.

 A pontoon gets a un-volunteered dry-dock at Woodcliff south of Fremont NE after the storm winds flip it over. 

Last stock standing.

Truck blown over by the wind south of Fremont on Highway 77.

The weather in the midwest is something that most always be respected.

Dodge County

I am in the middle of a writing project that will have me spend time in every town in Dodge County Nebraska.  Instead of taking the highway home, I meandered the gravel roads to enjoy the quiet countryside.

This windmill has seen better days, as it stood defiantly in the face of another summer thunderstorm.

There is just something special about a midwest summer thunderstorm.

Nebraska Thunderstorms

You may or may not be aware of the devastating weather we have been having in the middle part of the US.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have been directly effected by the direct wrath of nature. 

 

I set out one late afternoon to photograph clouds and ended up with a pot of gold.

May the rainbow serve it's promise for a better tomorrow.

If you like these prints and are interested in purchasing one, they will be available along with other photos on my website soon.

Cheers,

Dean

Sump Memorial Library

Hanging out with my new friends at the Sump Memorial Library in Papillion Nebraska!

Summer is Here!

It's time to rest and take care of all the details that pile up and slip away into larger piles.
Small things like updating my photo files, re-writing my will, organizing my bookshelf.

It's time to see family and friends, to write and finish pod-casts, to start a new column for the local paper.

Where does time slip off to?  A place where it cannot be retrieved, and once it slides by, we are left with no choice to appreciate now, because ultimately it is all we really have.  So, the big question is always, what are you going to do with the present moment, who are you going to "be" in the now?  Dreaming about lost moments or dreaming about future moments or celebrating now? 

Lets take a moment to recognize and respect the accomplishments of the last year, and then let's get on with the next adventure, what ever it may be! 

Fremont Middle School-7th Grade

It has been the longest consistent group I have presented to, the Fremont Middle School 7th grade.   It all began here!

It is always fun for me to spend a day at the Middle School in Fremont.  

It was the second to the last day of school, so I almost missed the chance to speak to the 7th graders this year.

Thank you to Mr. Whitman, Mr. Roff and Mr. Chicoine for having me back to spend the day with the students.

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!

Cheers,

Dean