Taylor sent a text to the entire family several weeks ago, “Going to Lusk the first weekend in May to Collette’s graduation. Who’s in?”

No one had to ask me more than once! I was definitely in!

The Graham family has been more family than friends for a very long time. It goes way back to the first year we landed in Jordan, Montana in 1981. My grandparents and parents cut for Nicole’s dad, Charlie. Nicole was five years old. She now has a family of her own. When we used to go to Jordan, the girls hung out at their house all the time…practically living there, I would say. So, they’ve been pretty darn special to us for quite some time. And not just Nicole but the whole darn Murnion clan!

We packed the car and left about noon on Friday. Our intentions were to take our time and make it to the Bertrand area around 5:30 or 6:00. That’s the ideal time for taking pictures according to Taylor. Travelling with a photographer may mean stopping and having to snap a few pictures of a family or two on your way to your destination. Karen and Taylor have been trying to make a connection for pictures for over a year. It was finally going to happen.

However, before we got there, I was told we would be stopping at a couple of the locations listed in the Nebraska Passport Program. To be honest with you, I had no idea what the heck Taylor was even talking about but I could hear the excitement in her voice when she began telling me what it was all about and I, too, got excited to make the different stops along the way. The idea is to encourage people to get out and about and explore the many hidden gems within the State of Nebraska. I have to give credit to the person or persons behind this genius marketing tool and what it has to offer – museums, wineries, restaurants, points of interest, retail stores and more! The point is to visit as many of these locations as you can, collect as many stamps as you can in your “passport” and then trade them for prizes. 

Our intention was to stop at the Archway over I-80 near Kearney but we made a detour, instead, to the Wessels Living History Farm just south of York. I’ve been by that place many times and when I suggested we make a quick trip there, the girls agreed. What we didn’t realize…it wasn’t going to be a quick trip. 

When we pulled into the parking lot, we caught a glimpse of a woman dressed in a dress similar to the time era of the home. She was tending to some flowers on the wrap around porch and we were immediately excited to see more. As we walked towards the steps of the home, the elderly woman looked up, smiled a big smile and told us to go ahead and enter the home. She would be in just as soon as she finished taking care of watering the flowers. We felt like we had honestly stepped back into the 1920’s. Her name was Marilyn. She asked us where we were from and as it is so often, the world got just a little bit smaller. At one time, she had lived just south of Elmwood and her children had attended school there. 

There! Can you see her? In the background…on the porch.

Marilyn was quite thorough with her tour. She took the time to point out and explain just about every piece of furniture, dish, can, picture, etc. there was in each room of the home. It did take way longer than we expected but the three of us were enjoying the details and learning about what it was like to have lived in that home when it was new. I believe she said it cost $1,750 to build in 1917. It was a “pre-fab” home purchased directly out of a catalog. It came in pieces to the location and was built by travelling workers. You can read more about this home by clicking here. 

Callie’s looking at an old telephone book. Marilyn is getting an old version of a toaster off the shelf.

One-room school.

While we were in the kitchen, Marilyn offered us some homemade cornmeal cookies and lemonade. The girls opted not to take her up on the offer but I helped myself to a cookie and lemonade. What the heck? The cookies were unlike anything I had ever had before. I wasn’t sure what I thought of it at first but by the time I had it eaten, I sort of thought maybe I would enjoy more. It wasn’t very sweet and it put me in mind of a cookie version slice of corn bread. Here’s the recipe – in case you’d like to try making some for yourself.

It was too late to visit the Archway. We would have to try to hit it on our way home. Next stop was Jeremy and Karen’s home. Just about as soon as we pulled into the driveway, we were on our way to their special location for their family pictures. We followed them down a slightly rolling, unpaved road. Then a dirt road. And then, the scenery took a drastic change from the flat fields of last year’s corn and soybeans to a rough and rugged, very western pasture. And there were wildflowers blooming. And Meadowlarks singing their prairie tunes. And there were cedar trees and hills to climb and a peacefulness that only someone like Willa Cather could effectively describe.

I watched Taylor work her magic while getting the kids to cooperate. There were no tears but we had a difficult time getting Jenna to smile. She was so very serious about having to do the things asked of her. The other kids just had fun. And I think Taylor probably captured the moments beautifully. I’m so anxious to see the outcome! And after the picture-taking was complete, we unloaded folding chairs, a table and food for a picnic in the pasture. Karen outdid herself with smoked brisket, roasted potatoes and carrots, homemade wheat bread and brownies for dessert. Man oh man!! It tasted better than anything has in a long time. I’m certain it was because of the location and the company!

Taylor’s showing the kids their “magic picture” – a Polaroid picture. 

Karen – I simply adore everything about her!

We said our goodbyes after helping with the clean-up and headed west once again. We ended up spending the night in Ogallala.

The next morning began with a visit to the Petrified Wood Gallery . I had no idea this place even existed. We pulled up to the door and decided we were just going to make it quick. We’d just have them stamp our “passport” and we’d quickly move on. Wrong. Once Taylor and I entered the door, we were greeted by Howard. Howard and Harvey are brothers – twins- born in 1928. They began their hobby of collecting rocks and indian artifacts after returning from the Korean War. You’ve got to take the time to read about them. The place is amazing! You can see some of what they create with petrified wood by clicking here. If you’re ever in Ogallala, this is one place you really should seek out. If for no other reason except to visit with Howard and Harvey!!

“Howard, would it be okay with you if I take your picture with the girls?”

One of the many creations made from petrified wood. 

We jumped back on the interstate and went as far as Chappell. Taylor and Callie both know how much this part of the state means to me. It’s just something weird I enjoy doing – visiting and re-visiting the towns and locations that have been part of my harvesting life. Lodgepole holds lots and lots of memories, dating back as far as 1974. That was the first year I went on harvest with my grandpa and grandma. And when I see those places that hold such fond memories, it takes me back in time. And then I begin feeling nostalgic and sentimental and wish I could just go back for one day. Just one day. But then I would want more.

We headed north at Sidney. Of course, while travelling that highway, we saw wheat. And when we see wheat, the girls know I like to stop and take a picture, if I can. And we did. It was so lush and green just north of Gurley. There were puddles of water and mud in the field. So, apparently, the area had received some rain not long ago. That’s a good thing!

There was a cute store in Bridgeport also listed on the Passport Program. So, we had to stop. The shop was called The Tarnished Halo. Loved, loved, loved this store!!! Taylor purchased a Chai Tea while Callie and I looked around. There were so many other customers in the store getting their “passports” stamped. This plan of getting people to visit locations was working quite well!

Chimney Rock was the next “passport” location. It had been quite a few years since I was up and close to this iconic prairie monument. And it still gives me a weird sort of feeling when I think about the number of people who have visited this rock over the last couple of hundred years. It basically looks the same now as it did when those pioneers looked for it while travelling the Oregon Trail. I absolutely love this time period in history.

 

The many stories of hardship and sadness these stones could tell.

We ate lunch at one more “passport” location in Scottsbluff before heading for Collette’s graduation ceremony. There were several other people in the same place with the same idea of food and a stamp in the book.

Collette graduated from the UNMC nursing program. I was impressed with the number of graduates from this location. Collette’s next step is  to pass her Boards in July and is then hoping to find a job in a hospital somewhere in Nebraska. I’m so gosh darn proud of her!

Nurse Collette 

And then it was time for more pictures. And more of what Taylor does and does so well. Be sure to check out her website – Taylor Josoff Photography.

The party was this evening. I think all of the planning and preparations paid off!

We’ve got one more day to spend in Lusk before heading back to Eastern Nebraska. I absolutely love getting to spend time with this family when it’s possible. What used to be something we knew we would get to do has now turned into wondering when the next time will be. So, we will take what we can, do what we can do and just be thankful for the time together!