Anyone here from Cherry County? (Omaha, Scottsbluff: appointed, camp, living in)

[star_gazer]

I beg to differ. Cherry co. is most assuredly not the hottest part of the state

I guess that's my 'big city' Omaha naivity coming through where the rest of Nebraska is concerned.

I'm just going off seeing Valentine on the local Omaha meteorologist's maps consistently showing up with the highest temperatures at the height of summer (seemingly often triple digits). For some reason, it doesn't seem like anyone ever quotes McCook numbers in Omaha... perhaps because Valentine is a more popular destination for Omahans.

At any rate... I love Valentine and the Sand Hills. If I were independently wealthy (don't think I could find an IT job up there!)... I would definitely live there... it is truly a star gazers paradise.

[awoods2]

Originally Posted by star_gazer

I'm just going off seeing Valentine on the local Omaha meteorologist's maps consistently showing up with the highest temperatures at the height of summer (seemingly often triple digits).

A little farther west I remember cutting wheat one summer when it hit 115, it still felt cooler than 95 in Omaha. It truly is a different kind of hot.

Adam

[star_gazer]

Definitely less humid out there!

[Sandhills Guru]

Originally Posted by SCGranny

What's it like? What's the county seat, Valentine, like? People, interests, things to do (I'm not looking for endless parties, just local festivals, the county fair, etc). What's the main product? What are they proud of? What are they not so proud of? What and where are the main grocery stores/farmer's markets/shopping? Are there a lot of locally owned businesses? What types?
All comments appreciated!

Well in answer to this post and then your other post a bit farther into this topic. Valentine & Cherry County will fit this to a T!!

You will find the folks in Cherry County to some of most friendly in our great nation or state.

I see you are looking for a place to tie up your horse, hear the coyotes howl, & the crow of the rooster in the morning. You should be able to find a place to be able to do all that without much problem.

As far as county fairs go in the area, I will vouch for the one down the road to the east, Johnstown to be exact. This is one great western county fair for sure. Rodeos galore in the area all summer long that is for sure.

I am sorry to say you will see a fast food resturant in the area. But you can also pull into a good old fashioned drive in where they still serve your car at the window. Or pull up chair at a couple of local resturants for down home cooking or a nice juicy steak.

The grocery stores in town serve all the fixings for sure also. And you can share your favorite brew at a couple local bars without worry. I will say there is one bar on the corner in downtown Valentine to stay away from if it were me.

And if outdoors is what you want there is plenty to go around in the area.

If you are looking for more particular info, drop me a pm with those questions and I will do my best to get the answers for you or direct you to someone who can.

[itsMeFred]

I will say there is one bar on the corner in downtown Valentine to stay away from if it were me.

*giggle*

I'll bet we're thinking of the same one.

[Sandhills Guru]

Originally Posted by itsMeFred

*giggle*

I'll bet we're thinking of the same one.

Yep that's the one.

[star_gazer]

How well known is the (relatively) new proprietor of the Merritt Reservoir resort?

He's been kind of a jerk to the Nebraska Star Party (you'd think they'd appreciate the business)... to the point where we've actually been considering alternate locations in Nebraska. We miss the previous owners... the Davenports. The people of Valentine on the other hand have been tremendously supportive.

[Sandhills Guru]

Originally Posted by star_gazer

How well known is the (relatively) new proprietor of the Merritt Reservoir resort?

He's been kind of a jerk to the Nebraska Star Party (you'd think they'd appreciate the business)... to the point where we've actually been considering alternate locations in Nebraska. We miss the previous owners... the Davenports. The people of Valentine on the other hand have been tremendously supportive.

He doesn't only treat your group that way.

[SCGranny]

Ummm... ah... If I get the place I'm looking at... would ya'll consider a large pasture instead of a reservoir?

I love throwin me a party! Now THAT's the way to make new friends!

Catch the asteroid this Tuesday...

[star_gazer]

While we've seen a little drop off with gas prices as of late... we bring as many as 500 stargazers from all over the world. Do you think you can accomodate that? We're big enough now that we're in the state tourism guide.

The crappy Merritt resort owner aside... Merritt really is a very good location. We also have a program/speakers which we are able to hold up in an -air conditioned- setting in Valentine. Then of course there's the Niobrara tubing trip we do each year. Proximity of the motels is also important, because we have alot of folks who don't like the primitive camping at the observing site (Snake Campground).

It was nice to have meals/activities at the 'Waters Edge' restaurant... we had a beach party at their beach... however, the new owner doesn't seem to want to have anything to do with us.

Not sure why he pursued a 'career' in the hospitality business... perhaps he was just looking for the lakeside living.

(by the way... the asteroid which is passing by will only appear at magnitude 11 (measure of brightness)... which is far beyond the reach of the naked eye... even from the pristine skies of Cherry County... it will be very difficult even for amateur astronomers with good telescopes... because there will be alot of background stars from which one will have to distinguish it... and even as close as it is to the Earth, it will still appear to be moving much slower than a satellite... ie you'll have to be looking at the right field... and wait a minute or two to see the movement)