Fishberry Campground, Valentine, Nebraska
From there he (Isaac) went up to Beersheba. That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well. ~ Genesis 26:23-25 And there, the Lord once again confirms His covenant promise. Isaac built an altar to memorialize the spiritual experience he had in this place, and he continued to use it in worship (ie – ‘called on the name of the LORD’). Beersheba is well within the boundaries of the Promised Land. He pitched his tent and dug a well indicating his plan to remain there.
It was boiling hot again today, but we needed to get out and move around, so we drove over to the local state fish hatchery, where Blaine had discovered there was supposed to be a walking trail. It was hot (as I already mentioned). It was not overly interesting (maybe because of the heat enveloping us?). But it was exercise. For my part, I was really only doing it for steak.
There were quite a few ponds – some were full, some, like this one were all but empty, despite water pouring in.
Did you notice the heart built into the brick work? Nice!
Blaine wasn’t quite walked out yet, so we drove back over to the National Park to complete the one-mile trail we only partially covered the other day.
Driving into the National Park. 
So much vast terrain! Incredibly beautiful!
We almost didn’t make it.
There were sentries baring the road to the trailhead!
And they refused to move, even when Blaine edged the Jeep up to them! Stubborn beasts. Maybe they’re part mule . . . .
Blaine backed up a bit and was just able to squeeze between the gate and the pair. They still just stood there staring in the window, but not even flinching.
Just goes to prove the old adage – – always expect the unexpected. 😊
We covered the mile trail, and returned to the air-conditioned Jeep.
Even in an old dead log!
On the way home, Blaine had the idea that we should drive by The Peppermill to make sure they were going to be open for dinner tonight, even though their website says seven days. That’s the former Boy Scout in him. Ya gotta love it! They were closed in observance of the Federal Holiday. ☹
To say I was unhappy would probably be an understatement, and Blaine knew it.
I’m a steak girl. And I’d hoofed and sweated for it. I wanted a steak in Omaha because they’re supposed to have the very best (right up there with Texas), but we were unable to make that happen. And people we talked to about the Peppermill all said their steaks weren’t just the best in town (cuz the town’s pretty small, and I’m pretty sure they’re the only ones in town offering steak), but their steaks rival those in Omaha.
And now they were closed. And I wanted to be angry (well, I kinda was), and yell (yeah, I sorta did that too) and pout (oh, I definitely did that!).
It’s kinda my fault. I suggested Monday because of the “crowds” of the weekend, and Sunday being the derby and all. I never even imagined they’d be closed!
I’m sure you’re tired of listening to me whine about my dinner – or lack thereof.
Blaine made it right the best way he could. We went to IGA and bought two ribeyes, and he grilled them to perfection. The meat quality wasn’t what you usually find at a grocery store. It was much, much better! Close to steakhouse perfection, and at half the cost. My hero!
The steak was so large, we had to have a second plate for our potatoes.
And shortly thereafter, a storm rolled by in the distance. We didn’t see much, except ominous clouds and one lightning streak, but the wind was so fierce around us, we eventually had to go inside and pull in half our home. Storms here don’t mosey by like we’re used to in Ohio. They pop up and linger for a bit, before moving off. At least we were able to put the slide back out before bedtime.
Our great day ended with warm, freshly baked frozen peach pie.
Here’s a few pictures of our oldest son’s boys:
The guys all went for a hike before he took them home.
Alex 
Cody 
Max
