30 Nebraskaland • March 2025
Day Two
The next morning, we got up early to
ensure we'd get to the blinds before the
birds did. An eerie chorus of coyotes
howled in the distance as we climbed
a steep slope to reach the blind, a small
trailer built by a local high school shop
program.
It had a couple of space heaters, a
carbon monoxide detector, bench and
chairs. Dad, who has made similar
trips to photograph birds, commented
that it was one of the nicest blinds he
had been in.
Afterward, I was ready for more
adventure. I knew the park had an
unusual amount of geocaches — about
60, all placed by Liz and Gary Doerr
of Creighton, a husband-and-wife
volunteer team. I was eager to fi nd out
A beautiful sunset brightened the sky during the second day of the author's visit to Niobrara State Park. CURT BLUM
Curt Blum, the author's dad, watches the Milky Way during an early morning at
Niobrara State Park. RENAE BLUM, NEBRASKALAND
