Calvin is ready to play ball! 
We had a lovely vacation, thanks to the kindness of Dennis and Caroline Ritchey, who let us use their house in Naper as a launching pad for all kinds of adventures in northern Nebraska. Suffice it to say that this part of the state does not look remotely like the parts that I am accustomed to seeing, and given its beauty and its remoteness and distance from the distractions of daily life, this was a pleasant albeit short departure from reality. Our trip vacation started out with a half-day of cleaning the house. Being afforded that opportunity was great at the time of our return. We then journeyed up to the north, pausing at a little park in Butte to rendezvous with Jonah and Jessica (and Titus), who joined us on this vacation (as has been our custom these past three summers).  
The next day we ventured to find the "ghost town" of Meadville, although it was not so much that as the title would imply. Rhyolite, Nevada is more what I would consider a true ghost town. There are new houses going up around Meadville. But I digress...  
We found some spectacular views of the Niobrara River valley from the cliffs south of Meadville...  
Then we continued on to Smith Falls State Park. We also saw Fort Falls and the Ft Niobrara National Wildlife Preserve. After a full day of sightseeing we headed back to Naper.  
 
 
On the third day, we went north into South Dakota and visited Lake Francis Case on the Missouri River. We saw some historic sites, swam and had a nice day at the lake. We concluded our day at Nebrask Inn (this is the correct spelling) in Gross, NE. The story goes that if you swear they charge you a dollar and affix it to the ceiling.  
 
Just for the record... it's root beer 
 
  
On the fourth day, we headed east through the town of Lynch. Just north of Lynch is a hill near the Missouri River called "Old Baldy" (but which picture is it?), at the base of which Lewis & Clark first encountered prairie dogs. We continued on to Niobrara State Park and took a good long hike, and concluded the day visiting a buffalo and elk ranch. Shalom always likes to give grass to the animals through the fence. After leaving the ranch, one of us had to go potty, but I won't say which one of the two people it is.      
On the next day, which was Sunday, we attended a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church. I found it ironic that on the bulletin there was a verse from I Corinthians that proclaims the unity of the body, yet when it came time for Communion (think about the etymology of that word), they practice "closed" communion, meaning (this is a short and dirty explanation) that because of differences in understanding of what it stands for, they tell all who aren't Wisconsin Synod Lutherans that we're not welcome to join them. I'm not blaming these brothers and sisters for all divisions of denominationalism, but it struck me as inconsistent. After church Jonah and Jessica departed, but Hannah and I stuck around for one for day. A great regret that I have is that we neglected to bring our camera to Keller Lake State Rec Area, because it was beautiful. We tried to fish (sort of), but ended up mostly just grilling some supper and reading from The Count of Monte Cristo. In spite of my ineptitude at fishing, we had a delightful evening. Monday was our travel day to return home, but we made two main stops on the way. The first was at the now defunct Zoo Nebraska in the town of Royal. Although officially closed to the public, quite a few animals are still there and are being cared for until homes can be found. The zoo closed after a long legal battle which started in 2005 when by human error the chimps escaped. Three of the four were shot to death in town. PETA and the USDA stepped in and closed the zoo, which was probably the right thing to do, but still a pity. Now, however, there are around 16 wolves in two cages that are too small, and they sing a very sad song indeed. Think of the dogs in the pound on Lady and the Tramp and you're getting close to it. There are a few big cats including a bengal tiger, but we could only see silhouettes from the road. We did see the bear, some white-haired creature, and the other animals pictured here.    
 
Our last stop was at Ashfall Fossil Bed, which I recommend with reservation only because you have to stomach a lot of pro-evolution propaganda that always strikes me as surprisingly myopic. The fossil beds are amazing, though.  
And finally, two friends we met on our vacation...
Mom, I ought to tell you that I put the first one on here just for you 
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