I couldn't wait to get out of here after high school. I was going to move to the city. And, I did.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my college days cheering on the Huskers, being within walking distance of the shopping and fun that awaited in downtown Lincoln and of course, studying with my sorority sisters (because that's the kind of girls we were!).
But, during breaks from college, I secretly enjoyed escaping the concrete sidewalks and tall buildings to once again see the wide-open cornfields.
There's something healing about venturing into the country and seeing endless fields of corn, interrupted only by an occasional grain bin or a country home with a big red barn.
After college, I tried to get a job in Lincoln, but I also applied for jobs in places that I never thought I would return to - small towns.
I married my high-school boyfriend and after living in a few other smallish towns, our journey led us right back to where our story started, Holdrege, Nebraska. It was exactly where I thought I would never (and I mean never, ever!) return.
We have lived here now for 18 years. And yes, I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I actually like it here.
I'll tell you more about the unexpected joys of living in a small rural town, as well as the unexpected joys of our journey to parenthood, in future posts.
But for now, I'd like to share one of the great reasons why I love living in Holdrege.
The North Park Lake is just a few blocks from my house. We walk or bike there nearly every day when the weather allows.
Every time I'm there, I'm thankful for our community's leaders who had the vision to create this park in the early 1980s when I was a child.
It's beauty is breathtaking. I recently visited a park in a larger city, and although it was beautiful, it did not compare to this park. The main attraction of the North Park is the lake, which is stocked with trout and other fish. The lake is surrounded by a 1-mile sidewalk where you can always find someone jogging or walking their dog. The park also includes picnic shelters with scenic views, two playgrounds and tennis courts.
Our local tree board has kept planting more trees in the park each year, making its beauty continue to evolve. Trees and benches in memory of former residents can be found throughout the park.
I have included a few pictures that showcase the beautiful fall views of the park. In the middle picture below, two of my children are playing with their friends on the same piece of park equipment that I played on as a child. Most of the other equipment has been updated, but this one remains. I'm not saying how old I am, but you can guess its been around a long time if I was playing on this in the early 80s!
Thank you again fine Holdrege community leaders of the past. This is one of the top reasons I have found unexpected joy in my hometown.
