Short and Sweet Vacation

After the 4th of July festivities, my dad and I headed west to Scottsbluff, NE for a relaxing trip/vacation. Our ultimate destination was my Aunt and Uncle's cabin near Chimney Rock for their Independence Day celebration and to see everybody again.

Our first real stop on our "vacation" was at Scout's Rest Ranch (Buffalo Bill's Ranch) in North Platte. The barn was so fantastic that all I heard about was how Dad wanted a barn like that at our place.

There's a joke around town about me being "Ashley Oakley" after Annie Oakley. Dad thought it would be funny to have a picture of me standing next to the pictures and readings of Annie Oakley. I think we actually took 5 different pictures.

Our next stop on the trip was an art show in Ogallala where my uncle was showing some of the work that he has done.
Uncle Jim said that it takes him an average of 6 weeks to carve just one scene in an antler. He also has to clean the antler and on a ram's horn has to clean out the inside. I'm not sure if that's included in the 6 weeks or not (I don't think so).
Uncle Jim and I


Dad and I climbed up Windlass Hill to look at the wear and tear wagons from the Oregon Trail had left on the landscape. I have always loved American history and visiting places like these. Just to give you an idea of how much climbing we had to do, that's my car in the background with some cattle around a windmill.

Chimney Rock

The Christian Motorcycle Club had gathered in the parking lot of Chimney Rock.
We finally made it to my aunt and uncle's place. Then it was "let the festivities commence!"
Everyone's just enjoying a nice, actually cool night in Scottsbluff, NE
Then the wind started blowing and the dust started filling the air. I went inside because of my allergies, but everyone else didn't seem to notice. Pretty soon the wind died and the food was served.