The Other Side of Nowhere

One day in November, I checked into the Dunes Motel in Valentine, Nebraska.

The Fur Trappers Association had just checked out. They had their convention in room 114 and a few of the nearby rooms. Somebody had spilled something somewhere. You could smell it. The motel owners could smell it and they want to clean it up, but don't know exactly where it is. They think it is in or near room 114, maybe.

The Fur Trappers met here for two days of discussions, demo's and a little drinking. I don't know exactly what they were demonstrating, but there is a strong lingering odor of skunk in the air. Or perhaps the women of the Fur Trappers Association have a strong attraction for "wild things perfume".

This year it is predicted to be a very cold winter and all the furry critters are expected to grow a good quality of furry coats.

I think the reason the Fur Trappers met in Valentine is they perhaps are not welcome in the big cities of Omaha, Lincoln or North Platte. After this year they are not welcome in Valentine either.

Next year they may have to meet in an RV park. At least then the smell will have a place to vent and not linger around.

Some things I noticed upon entering this territory is the short windmills, every driveway has a windsock and there was a sign on the highway that said you are entering the middle of nowhere.

For those of you that don't know (city folk), windmills are used out west to pump drinking water out of the ground to water the livestock. Livestock in this part of Nebraska generally means cows.

There are 2000 people that live in Valentine and 800,000 plus cattle. Cattle need a lot of water to drink. Windmills need a lot of wind to pump the water.

Nebraska has a lot of wind, close to the ground, it's blowing.

I guess the windsock in the driveway is to tell you when it isn't blowing, which isn't often.

Yes, Valentine Nebraska really is on the other side of the middle of nowhere.