NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1349053
Area, in front of a travel trailer and an assortment of tents, a professionally painted, two-posted wooden sign broadcasts the presence of "The Bensons." Hailing from Chadron, Tyler Benson's family and friends toss beanbags in a couple-versus-couple cornhole tournament in deep shade on a balmy summer evening. A carload of strangers drives past, waving and smiling with familiarity. Puzzled but waving back, Tyler asks, "Do we know them?" "No, man," says one of Tyler's clan, "We're all just campin' people!" Other "campin' people" know what that means. It is part of the allure that draws them to places like Keller Park, a gorgeous oasis of deep-green fishing ponds northeast of Ainsworth along Bone Creek. Nebraska's eight state parks are well known; names such as Mahoney, Ponca and Smith Falls come to mind. But the scattered, hidden marvels — a staggering 58 of them — are the state recreation areas. Rockford, Red Willow, Dead Timber, Danish Alps, Memphis, Medicine Creek — all regionally known tranquil havens whose mention might stump folks from other parts. Each has its own character and unique terrain of trees, trails, creeks, rivers, lakes and ponds, accessible via narrow rural highways that wind past crops and pastures miles from towns. The campgrounds within these recreation areas have a palpable atmosphere of their own — a mood born of goodwill and ubiquitous joy, the likes of which is only generated when everyone involved is vacationing. "Guilt-free laziness, that's the best thing about camping," Tyler Benson concludes. But don't be mistaken — every camper has invested a substantial amount of planning and work to get here and to set up, which is one factor among a long list of reasons non-campers are not interested. The more primitive your mode (tents versus RVs), the more effort required. But between those moments of work and inconvenience are hours on end to pursue your deepest kicking-back dreams: Possibly a morning of hiking or fishing followed by an afternoon of reading and snacking, capped off with an evening of sipping beer, storytelling, laughing and gazing into the fire. For camping people, that is the best day ever. In campsites, form follows function. Clutter is universal here, but it is a contented sort of disorder. Bikes, innertubes, toys and wildly varied arrays of gear jampack grassy lots alongside tents and trailers lined with lawn chairs, cooking gear and coolers. Signaling the day's fun, swimsuits and beach towels flap in the breeze on long lines stretched between trees. Most folks opt for primitive camping and many of them cherish those childhood tenting experiences. Memories do have a way of filtering out hardships — those who spend their nights under the trees generally don't miss the amenities that non-camping vacationers require, comforts such as Carla Ramirez and her children, of Cozad, spend a summer evening enjoying the cool lake at Windmill State Recreation Area near Kearney. 150 Nebraskaland • April 2021