Do you have your 2013 Nebraska Games and Parks Pass? If you don’t, I would encourage you to get one today! The weather forecast looks great for being outdoors this weekend; I recommend in checking out one of Nebraska’s State Parks. There are plenty of parks to choose from all across the state; which one will you be going to this weekend?
The Nebraska Passport has rolled out for 2014. All the tours this year look exciting. I am ready for some new adventures this summer in order to discover these places and a lot of them are places I have never visited. I encourage everyone to take time and discover these places in Nebraska along with me. Continue to check out my blog as I write about the places I visit and the people I meet.
Check out all the tours at: http://www.nebraskapassport.com/.
A couple weeks ago I went to the 5 Trails winery in Paxton. Paxton has been known for their Ole’s Cafe restaurant, but I believe 5 Trails is carving their name into the town. Not only does the winery make some of their own wine, but they also brew three different kinds of beer. Similar to other wineries they have a few of the same wines such as Edelweiss and Briana. However, my choice of wine to bring home is their dessert wine called Smooch.
One thing that is unique about this winery are their three Artistian wines they carry. 5 Trails has three wines they make that feature art on the labels. I think it’s great when small businesses showcase and support other local or small businesses, or in this case an emerging artist.
Another unique thing about 5 Trails is the pizza they serve every first and third Saturday of the month. I had the chicken pizza; I enjoyed it so much, I had to take some home so I could enjoy the leftovers the next day.
5 Trails Winery is a great place in a small town to meet up with some friends and spend a few hours enjoying each others company. The owner is very friendly and can definitely get a smile out of his guests. I plan to go back soon, especially for another bottle of wine and delicious pizza.
Lincoln continues to amaze me, not just what the city has, but the inspiring and hard working individuals that make up the city. I am always proud to tell everyone that my hometown is Lincoln, Nebraska.
Check out the below story from Yahoo on a group from Lincoln that set the Guinness World Record of largest structure made of wooden logs and the amount used.
Last Saturday, I took a trip to North Platte to visit the Feather River Vineyard. I wish it would have been summer so I could see more green during my visit, but the wines I got to taste made up for not seeing the green. I tried 5 different kinds of wine; my favorite was the La Crescent wine. La Crescent is a sweet white wine that I recommend trying if you go to Feather River.
Feather River has a beautiful patio; sitting in one of their rocking chairs could make drinking wine feel as if you are drinking at home. I intend to go back this summer when it is greener so I can get a stamp for my Nebraska Winery Passport. Plan your trip to Feather River today, but if you can’t make it you can order bottles of wine from to be delivered. Check out their website at: http://www.feather-river.com/ for more information.
I am going to block out time on my calendar for their BBQ Barrel event that they host at the end of the summer. When I get more information on the BBQ Barrel event I will share that with everyone, because it sounds like something no one should miss.
Today is National Ag Day. I feel blessed to be able to grow up in Nebraska have grandparents and other family members who are farmers. It breaks my heart when I see other people who make fun of farmers and down grade them with negative sayings. However, at the same time I pray for those individuals that want to crack up jokes. They should realize if it wasn’t for farmers plowing the fields, planting seeds and feeding cattle; then they would not have the food on their plate that they are about to enjoy.
Take the time to thank a farmer that you know and appreciate all the hard work they do every day!
Graduation and wedding season is quickly approaching. If you would like a video made of photos/videos for the special event, please contact. I have made them in the past and I only charge $25 for it. You will get one DVD video, each additional DVD is $5. I do need a 3 week notice from when you want the video to be mailed to you.
Please call me: 402-560-4656 or email me: bburket2@huskers.unl.edu
One of my favorite places to go to on Friday nights in Sidney is Stewie’s. For a smaller town, it amazes me how packed the bar will be on a Friday night. The music is always loud enough that it reminds me of being in a bar in Lincoln. The staff and especially Stewie himself are extremely friendly and definitely work their ends off to get you a drink as fast as you can pay for it. So, if you ever find yourself in Sidney, Nebraska on a Friday night then get to Stewie’s and have a drink with me!
I am a pizza lover and the past couple of years I have grown to love Sam and Louie’s pizza. It is a small pizza chain that started in Omaha, but has continued to grow. I respect the company for helping smaller communities in Nebraska to grow by placing restaurants in other Nebraska towns and not just Omaha and Lincoln. I moved to Sidney, Nebraska a few months ago and I was like a kid in a candy shop when I saw there was a location in town.
The pizza is thin crusted, which helps you taste more of the sauce and toppings and not a lot of bread. One of my other favorite things to get is their cheese bread with spinach dip. I love how the environment of the restaurant feels like you are in a pizzeria and not just any kind of food restaurant. Just like the downtown Sidney and downtown Lincoln location I think the brick gives the environment more vibes of feeling like you are in an old fashioned style pizzeria.
Sam and Louie’s can be found in these towns across Nebraska: Alliance, Beatrice, Blair, Bellevue, Elkhorn, Grand Island, Lincoln, Omaha, Seward and Sidney. Next time you are in one of these towns, I recommend you look up directions to Sam and Louie’s and go have a great slice of pizza for lunch or dinner.
93 Counties 