Nature Nerd

Many times this week I have found captions in my head including the words "nature nerd" for photos I have been taking on little excursions. From Lincoln to Omaha and a few places in between, I have enjoyed spending some time in the great outdoors. Some days may have been a bit brisk out there but were still rather beautiful.

Felt like a nature nerd when I purchased my 2014 Nebraska State Park Permit online. I lit up when it arrived in the mail early this week. Took a photo through my windshield of the sticker and a state park sign as I stopped to make a little loop around Louisville State Park on my way to Omaha one day.

I packed my running clothes to change into after running some errands and paying Uncle Chuck and Aunt Paula a visit in Lincoln on Saturday. I felt like exploring one of the parks I had driven by on my many trips that way lately. I decided on Holmes Lake Park for the lake atmosphere. Pulled in, parked my car, said "take this, Nebraska wind", and away I went. Jogged 2.5 miles around the main part of the lake in decent time for my colder weather running and battling the wind at times. I had to take a few photos along the way. Some beautiful light shining through the clouds that afternoon.

This was my favorite photo from that particular jaunt...

With my new state park permit in possession, I was itching to go do a little adventuring in some places I've been before. When I checked the forecast for Sunday, I read highs of 50 with wind speeds that could reach 40+ as the afternoon progressed. I decided that even if the wind picked up some, it still sounded like it could be a good day out there.

I asked Chance if he'd like to join me on a little outdoor adventure. All I said was to meet me in Louisville at 11:30am and we'd go from there - "see where the wind takes us".  I did have a few ideas in mind, though. :-)

Started out with a picnic basket I packed for lunch as we sat on a picnic table by one of the lakes at Louisville State Park.

Also took a little stroll around one of the small lakes.

The wind blew us to the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium at Schramm State Park next, where Chance was impressed with some of the fish.

I just loved being around the education center. Here's a cute little tapestry the art club had painted.

My kid spirit in the education center shining strong. I love education centers and camping! So many memories were surfacing in my head. Memories made with family, memories made with friends, and memories made on some solo excursions. So many that made me smile even bigger all afternoon. I was already smiling just being out in nature and sharing it with someone.

One particular memory that came to mind thanks to my fun posing in the education center was spending time with a group of college friends I got to go with me to Ponca State Park one day. We hiked a little, took a bunch of pictures outside, spent some time playing around in the visitors center (a photo I had first thought of). My brain went one step further though and remembered this awesome moment. We all climbed up on this huge buffalo statue just outside of Ponca State Park. I sent a message to a few of those friends saying "Remember that day on Ponca State Park". One responded immediately "Was that the place with the buffalo?" Yes. Yes, it was. :-)

Explored the 4-H center at Schramm, which was pretty fun. Walking around thinking about summer camp.

Onward we blew to Mahoney State Park. A few photos at the marina.

Last park in our path for the day was Platte River State Park, where we blew right up to a trailhead to some falls. It's hard for me to avoid walking down a trail that leads to a waterfall, great and small.

Beautiful little falls along the trail, mostly frozen per the season of course.

Here you can see the water still coming through underneath.

I wanted one photo of both of us along the trail, and I finally found a nice little tree that could act as my make-shift tripod for said shot. A little crooked, but I was okay with this artistic perspective.

The result...

Just sat and hung on one of the bridges over the stream for a bit.

Finally, showtime at the amphitheater before ice cream back in Louisville to end our Sunday afternoon adventure.

Nature nerd. Smile just staring at a tree with leaves and dirt below my feet and sunshine on my face. Posed photos and fun photos along the way. No music in my ears while I run or hike, but rather listening to nature around me. Okay, maybe I also sing a few songs to myself along the way.

One today was "Everybody sing this song. Doo dah. Doo dah. Well everybody sing this song all the doo dah day." My jukebox of a head sometimes. Where did this one come from I wondered? A cartoon song I remember. Perhaps it was my joyful thoughts of a child spirit and so many great memories from childhood to now that led to it jumping into my head along a nature walk that beautiful afternoon.

Nature nerd, always have been, always will be. A fun-loving one. :-)

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Some Things

Some things make me stop and think.

Some things make my head hurt.

Some things make my gut wrench.

Some things make me roll my eyes.

Some things make me laugh.

Some things make me smile. Simply smile.

Some things make me stop and think, roll my eyes, laugh, and smile all at the same time.

This evening I feel like listing a plethora of things that make me smile. The word "plethora" makes me smile. A much more fun way to say "a bunch of things" or "many". Smile smile smile. 

Some are accompanied with my personal photographs. In no particular order...

Country roads make me smile. Especially country roads on a beautiful crisp afternoon as the sun is going down in Nebraska.

Fresh vegetables. Colorful food. Refreshing nutrition after a workout, amid a long day, or just for a snack.

Grocery shopping with my mama even though I am 23 years old.

Thrift store shopping with my dad.

Talking to my dad about the Broncos game on the phone. Peyton Manning and the Broncos are going to the Superbowl.

Haircut adventures with a best friend. Telling the stylist to give me some crazy layers, go however short, close my eyes while she's cutting it, and adding a fun change.

Hearing my brother say "awesome hair cut, Jess" first thing when I saw him after having it done.

Opening up a text message from my godmother saying how much she LOVES your new hairdo and chatting with her a bit while she's in Hawaii.

Telling my mom about my short hair over the phone.

Phone dates.

Sitting in Monday afternoon spinal cord class with Uncle Chuck. Reminded me how much I enjoy school and learning.

Receiving a handmade card in the mail from my little pen pal back in Omaha who I met while waitressing.

Receiving a message from a friend you made while hitchiking in the back of a truck one of your first weeks in Samoa, who sang Happy Birthday to you that night, and you hung out with a few times throughout the year. A random "I miss you".

Seeing that another friend from my island home receiving my Christmas card in the mail and sending me a long email with a life update.

Having a student wish me a Happy New Year.

Having a student comment on your new island-themed hand-painted shoes.

Receiving the aforementioned shoes from one of your volunteer buddies back at M'side.

Breakfast! Not to mention beautiful breakfast that you slowly enjoy at the table.

Being surprised with a trip to the park after lunch on a Sunday afternoon. A Sunday afternoon in the middle of January that felt more like spring. A park in Omaha with the guy you drove up to see for the afternoon. Sitting on the swing, chatting about all sorts of things, enjoying the sun on your face, and just smiling.

Jogging along a country road watching my shadow along the ditch on one side and the sun beginning to set on my other side.

The way a small town community comes together so quickly to help the volunteer fire departments in any way they can the night one of the churches in town is on fire. Can't beat some of the community togetherness a small town offers and moving forward.

The constant changing colors of sunset. Just one minute makes a difference.

A mini watermelon. One I cannot wait to cut open and see what pink deliciousness I may find inside.

Not catching a good bout of the cold or the flu once yet this season. Yes, I know... You think now I will since I've said it. Well, I've said it at least five times already at different occasions and I'm still healthy as an ox. haha

Finishing your run for the night just as the stars begin to become visible above my home.

Feeling pretty good about the 3.75 mile run I went on a few days ago, only to run 4.55 miles on the most beautiful day of the week.

Reading about runner's high in my psychology textbook and finding myself smiling as I felt those endorphins kicking in, the beautiful day pushing me further. I didn't want it to end.

Doing homework for a few classes I am taking through Southeast Community College this term. Two classes I need before I can begin nursing school next year.

Having the residents at work comment on how it seems like I didn't leave this week, working 1st shift one day with 3rd shift to follow, 2nd shift the next with another 1st shift right after and then some.

My new job in general makes me smile. Staying busy, learning valuable stuff, chatting with some of the residents, and making them smile.

Finishing a book trilogy.

Taking a little nap from time to time.

Rolling out of bed 10 minutes before I need to leave for work.

Staying in my bed until 9:30am even though I probably could have made my butt get up around 7:30 or 8.

Sitting on the couch with a cup of green tea in my hand.

Singing and dancing in the shower.

Every day adventures from great to small.

People.

Landscapes.

Time.

Space.

Life.

Holiday Cheer

These girls right here make some pretty great siblings. My awesome roommate and her younger sisters are a lot of fun. Just look at us having a ball at the bowling alley one night. The photo speaks for itself.

This girl right here is my sister from another mister. She is one of my best friends that I consider family. Pretty great to have some of those beyond amazing friends. We're roommates again after life brought us together about 5.5 years ago. I wouldn't have it any other way.

This girl right here (muuuuah) bowled a 199 a few weeks ago. 199! New personal record for sure. My average lately has been around 120-130, and I almost couldn't believe it when I almost hit 200 when out with the friends.

This girl right here is like my little sister. 10 years to my minor, we both spent a great amount of time together as I watched her grow up. It's fun to go from those days where she would follow me around to those days where we are walking side by side talking about all sorts of things.

These people right here I am so thankful to have as my immediate family. That guy on the left has been one of my best friends from the day he was born. Been through a lot together, and he has grown into one pretty awesome gentleman. That on the left is one of the most caring and giving people I know. I look up to her everyday, and I am proud to call her one of my best friends. That guy on the right is a great family man, loves to make people laugh, and is one heck of a dad.

 This group of people loves to play games together. One of our favorite past times at Boschen family gatherings. Some cousin love with Granny B. So many memories over the years as our family grows.

These are the Boschen girls. Born and raised in small-town Nebraska. Each one of us cherishes our hometown roots greatly.

This lady right here is mistaken as my older sister from time to time. From our love of photogrpahy to traveling to Nebraska to blonde hair to independency to big smiles, we're two free spirits with a great connection.

These two people right here love each other so much, and it has been an experience for me witnessing them being the extra strong supports for one another recently. I've also learned a deeper level of their giving hearts.

These people right here are ones who went beyond tradition making a great holiday together. Quality time wherever, whenever. From a conference room to a couch to making funny faces by the fireplace.

These two right here have both been my roommates in recent years. Pretty great people to live with, where we've also made some lasting friendships. Nothing like piling up on a chair together in the basement while playing some pool on New Years' Eve.

These two crazy kids are my beloved roommates in Syracuse. I'm right where I'm supposed to be right now, and it's great having these two to around. We do our own thing, but we enjoy some "family" time together, too.

This guy right here can be quite the character. So hard to believe he will be driving his own car soon. I remember the day he was born, sledding with him when he was a toddler, and now he's in high school. Grown into a guy with an even bigger heart.

This little guy right here is the newest addition to the family. It is such a great joy to watch our family grow and still spend great time together, although it may be far and few between when we are all together.

This lady right here welcomes her 5 kids, 12 grandkids, and 3 great grandchildren into her home. At time it seems somewhat chaotic, but we always cherish the time we get together. The boys watch some football, the girls chat in the kitchen, we eat some food, and we talk non-stop. This lady makes the best bread and butter pickles ever! Also one of the greatest bakers I know.

This girl right here is my cousin, my friend, a teacher, and a mom. Only a few years older than me, we've had the opportunity to join in various activities throughout our young lives. I know she is going to be a great mom to that little man, and I am thankful we can talk just like it was yesterday.

This girl right here sends some random and thoughtful messages at just the right time. Schedules shall bring us together again in person one of these days soon, but despite some time and differences its nice keeping a lasting friendship strong.

As I mentioned before, this guy right here is one great brother and one great friend. 2.5 years younger than me, and we talk at least once a week it seems these days. We both have some pretty busy lives, but it's great having each other. Some days we just need those naps on the couch. :)

This girl right here loves life. I also really love running these days. The other day I just couldn't fight it anymore. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day out there. Sure maybe still only 15 degrees, but hey if you bundle up properly you can still go run in that. Felt wonderful to run for 2 miles around Syracuse that day, and the next day at about 35 degrees I went out again and got 3 miles logged. Gotta take advantage of some of those beautiful days. Unlike those days where its 10 below zero out there. Brrrrr.

This girl right here has a little list on her wall. The first item says "Be happy". So many little things make he me happy and smile. Share those smiles. :-) Have a great week! Hope you enjoyed my little tributes to some folks I spent some time this holiday season. People make marks on my life every day.