64 Nebraskaland • May 2021
Chadron State Park 1954. My mother
would walk with us three children to the
park so we could swim in the wonderful
in-ground outdoor pool. I am looking at
the camera, and my 6-year-old brother, Joe,
is next to me. My 10-year-old sister would
have been swimming in the larger pool.
Wonderful memories.
– Inez Buck, Chadron
Platte River State Park 1983. Our
three families began spending a couple of
weekends each year at Platte River State
Park the year it opened. The parents met
in December to choose the weekends, and
when the reservation window opened in
early January our moms dialed and redialed
until someone managed to get through and
reserve cabins for all three families. I have
continued this tradition with my family and
some friends. Back row: Michael Behrens,
David Lundquist, Kristina Lundquist Leeper,
Andy Farrell. Front row: Jenny Behrens,
Sarah Farrell Hansen, Diana Lundquist.
– Kristina Leeper, Omaha
Smith Falls 1988. My husband (Pat
Shea), my sister (Sharron Walter), and I
(Betty Walter-Shea) checked out a number
of the Nebraska falls, including Smith Falls
in the fall of 1988. (My sister was visiting
from Arkansas.) A "cage and pulley
system" was available for tourists to cross
the Niobrara River to pick up the trail to the
falls. In this picture, Pat is on the other side
of the river helping Sharron (in the cage)
cross the river.
– Elizabeth Walter-Shea, Lincoln
PORTRAITS FROM THE PAST
