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| North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau staff (Missing: Muriel Clark) |
Hello again! It's been awhile and I am
ready to get back into the swing of things!
For those of you
who do not know, I have been in North Platte, Nebraska this summer for an
internship. I am working for the North Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau as
a social media/public relations intern. I also do some blogging and
photography.
Working for the visitor’s
bureau has let me see most of what North Platte and Lincoln County have to
offer. I also take some spontaneous drives to get a better view of the state,
outside of Lincoln County. And sometimes I end up in Kansas or South Dakota,
unintentionally. I just go with the flow.
Now that I have
been in the area for a little over two months, there are some things that I
will miss, but other I cannot wait to leave behind.
What I love
about Western Nebraska:
1. The landscape
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| Canyon like hills, just south of Hayes Center, Nebraska. |
In the city,
it's just one big flat land. But as I go on my drives around the area, I have
discovered that Nebraska is not one big flat state. There are hills upon hills
in some areas. Up north is the Sandhill region, which is exactly what it sounds
like, hills made up of sand. But the thing is, you wouldn't know it until
somebody told you. Grass, trees, and other things grow in the sand like they
would for soil, to me, that it amazing. Most of the land is owned by ranchers
and farmers, so unless you own land, you can't get more than 5 feet from the
road. But the view is spectacular; hills upon hills, and cows and horses upon
cows and horses.
South of North
Platte is mostly farmland, but every now and then there are some ranch hills.
My favorite thing to do in my time away from work is to take a drive, either
going north or south, and get some beautiful landscape pictures.
2. The
recreational activities
There are
seriously so many activities that are available out here. There's always
somebody complaining how there's nothing to do in Nebraska. True, but false.
You have to go outside to enjoy the place, especially in the summer. There are
so many lakes, rivers, outfitters, etc. that can set you up to go tubing,
kayaking, horseback riding, golfing, hiking, hunting, fishing, even bird
watching. Heck, I just go out to the backyard and nap in the hammock. The key
is to get outside and get active and maybe a little sunburnt and eaten alive by
the bugs...3. The people
I have met so
many nice people out here. Whether it be through work or just stopping by a gas
station for directions. I have had some run ins with some mean drivers (I had
the right of way...) but overall everyone out here is so nice. If need be, they
would give me their shirt off of their back.
4. My friend(s)
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| Alex and I at the Thomas Rhett Concert during Nebraksaland Days, June 26, 2015. |
Being out here
for a while, I have made some friends, or a
close friend. I work
with Alex, which is great because I have a work friend. Plus we are close
enough to hang out outside of work. We have gone to the Nebraskaland Days
concerts, rodeos, etc. with each other. Honestly she will be the number one
reason why it will be hard to leave this place. But I have made friends with
everybody in the office, and for me this is great. I never expected to leave
this internship with lifelong friendships. Thank you North Platte/Lincoln
County Visitors Bureau for welcoming me into your family for a few months!
What I don't love about Western Nebraska:
1. The bugs
It's summer. It's hot. And there are
bugs. Everywhere. I walk outside and there will be an assortment of bugs.
Spiders, beetles, roaches, anything and everything to freak me out. I don't do
bugs. If I even leave my window open for a few seconds, a wasp, moth, or black
fly will fly into my car. I cannot tell you how many bug bites I have gotten
this summer. It has got to be over 100. No joke.
2. The lack of Target and Panera
Coming from a city doesn't really help,
but I am addicted to Target. Fort Dodge, Iowa has a target. If Fort Dodge gets
a target, then goodness does North Platte, Nebraska need one. The closest
Target is two hours away, and the closest Panera is an hour and a half. Not a
big deal to some people, but Target is my mother ship and Panera is my home
base.
3. Getting out of town requires quite a
drive
Everyone gets tired of being in the same
place for long. This is why I like to go out on spontaneous drive around the
state, getting out of North Platte and Sutherland. But the thing about North
Platte is if you want to go to a city, or even a recreational place, it
requires a drive. The closest city would be Kearney, about an hour and a half
east, and the closest recreational place outside of the county would be Lake
McConaughy State Recreation Area, about an hour west.
4. Cell phone signals are scarce
I get it. Our generation is connected to
any technology. And I will admit it, so am I. But my job is all about being
online. Social media requires and internet connection, and more importantly, a
cell phone signal. There have been so many times I want to post to social
media, and I can't even use my phone. No calls, no texts, no Twitter, Facebook,
or Instagram. The problem itself is saying to enjoy the moment, but this moment
I want to post to social media. I'll enjoy it afterwards.
First world problems.
Overall I have had an awesome time this
summer, and I will come back to visit friends or stay for the night. And not to
brag or anything, but the visitors bureau has the cleanest public restrooms.
The only public restroom I will use in North Platte.
So here's to Western Nebraska. I've got
a few weeks left, but here's to next time!
