Life's a Beach..... in Nebraska?

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Life's a Beach..... in Nebraska?

Many of you living near the Oceans will not be impressed.

You don't have to look at a map to know that there are no oceans or beaches in Colorado, but I went to the beach this weekend -- only 220 miles away, in Nebraska at Lake McConaughy.

I'm serious - Nebraska!

Lake McConaughy (pronounced McConaHay) is 22 miles long and 142 feet deep with white sandy shores. No, not Sandy Shores on Active Rain, she's in Florida, with a real ocean! Just sandy shores...

The Kingsley Dam, located 9 miles north of Ogallala, Nebraska, is the second largest, hydraulic fill dam in the world, it is over 162 feet high, 3.1 miles long, and holds the body of water that is Lake McConaughy.

At Public Road #4 - Sandy Cove, there were campers, tents and boats lined up along the beach. Sailboats, windsurfers, jet skis, dogs and kids were playing in the water, and there was sand everywhere! Miles and miles of beautiful white sand....

Sitting by the campfire and watching my grandkids build endless sand castles, with their flashlights in hand, was simply the best Saturday night entertainment.

If you don't live by a beach, I would definitely recommend Lake McConaughy for a great time. Even if just for a moment, you can imagine that you are really at the beach.

I only have one question for all of you that live near the ocean - how do you get all that sand out of everything?

______________________________________________________________________________________

Mary Douglas, your Mountain Broker-Associate and REALTOR®

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, CO

www.redfeatherlakes.com ---800-531-2195

"A Day in the Mountains will always soothe your city soul"

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Website: www.marydouglas-redfeatherlakes.net

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Posted by Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado on 08/05/2009 11:45 PM

Comments (32)

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32 Comments on Life's a Beach..... in Nebraska?

AUG

2009

Good question... that sand doesn't go away very easily! Sounds like you had a great time, and one that was well worth a little sand between your toes (and other places).

AUG

2009

Hi Margaret! We had a great time, it was so much fun - just when I think I have all the sand cleaned off the camera-- I find more. Does sand multiply? LOL!! Thank you for stopping by tonight, I appreciate your thoughts, Margaret!

Mary, it is still beautiful, and looks like a lot of fun!

Hey Mary,

I'm glad you got away for a little R and R. I've always said that living here on Lake Ontario is almost as good as living by the ocean. Can't swim in Lake Ontario though. It's pretty cold and rocky and not sure how clean it is these days.

Hi Tony and Darcy, It is really a beautiful lake, and a lot of fun - and at only (approx) 3400 feet in elevation the water wasn't too cold. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate that!

Hi Jenny, Brrrrrrr! to swimming in Lake Ontario, and our high mountain lakes are too cold also! It was 95 degrees there when we left on Sunday-- that lake felt pretty good when it was so hot outside. Thanks Jenny, I'm glad to see you, as always:-)

Hi Mary-It is great you got away and it is impressive. As far as getting sand out of things. Think of it like Christmas needles. You will still be doing a little bit of it 6 months from now. LOL

I love beaches! Never heard of this one in Nebraska though. thanks for my "what I learned today" for today!

Okay though, how can someone as young as you have grandchildren?

Hi Pat, I picked up a candy bar yesterday, that was in a grocery bag at the beach..YEP tiny little sand particles still clinging to the wrapper! I like your idea about Christmas needles, I can see that. Thanks Pat, hope you have a great day!

Hi Linda, I'm happy to supply the "what I learned today" for you. You are too kind about being young..I didn't feel young at all after sleeping in the tent! LOL! Thanks for stopping by this morning, Linda- I hope you have a wonderful day!

Mary, it doesn't matter where the beach is just that you get to wiggle your toes in the sand! BTW you never really get all the sand out of things, but a good soapy shower does the trick for the tootsies!

Hi Miss Mary, I hate to hear that you have to drive 220 miles to get to the beach, but it certainly looks like it was worth the trip. I think your picture with the sailboat is beautiful. The beach is such a quiet, peaceful, magical place to go. I hope that you brought a little jar of sand home, so you could open it each time you wanted to "feel" the beach. You have all that beautiful countryside where you are.

Hi Mary, I lived near the ocean beaches and I'm impressed! I love the water and your lake time Saturday night with your grandchildren sounds like a fun evening.

Nice photo w/ the sailboat in the water.

Hi Caren, You're right, there is something about wiggling your toes in the sand-- it's almost magical. You have confirmed my "fear" -- you never really get the sand out! LOL! Thanks Caren, I'm happy to see you today!

Hi Sandy! I think it was worth the trip, we didn't bring home a little jar of sand, but once I get done collecting it from everything, I think I will have a jar of it :-) I'm glad you liked the sailboat photo, I just love to watch them! Thanks for stopping by my "sandy" post Miss Sandy! I hope you have a terrific day today!

Hi Cynthia, thank you for stopping by and for your kind compliments! Watching them play and have so much fun with the sand..makes me wonder why they have so many toys at home! LOL!! I appreciate your thoughts today, thanks Cynthia!

We had a friend in Leadville from that area and she was quite proud of the the lake and surrounding area as a tourist spot. We drove past it on our way elsewhere once, but maybe we'll stop next time...Glad you got a little break to enjoy some summer!

Hi Cheryl, thanks for stopping by today. I bet your friend was very proud of the lake, it's a great recreational spot! We used to have a lot of windsurfer friends who went there all the time. I believe there were other interesting places to stop around Ogalala, too - but we just made a beeline for the lake, and a beeline home :-) Thanks Cheryl, it was a good little summer break!

Hi Mary, what fun! I have never be to Lake McConaughy. But folks around here talk about it alot. In fact, I think it was Mariana Wagner that was telling us she'd been there last week! Did you camp? Or take a RV? Are there cabins you can rent? I checked, it's 290 miles from the Springs. I'm going to put it on my list! Thanks.

Hi Mary, Sandy Shores has the cutest name ever! I'll bet she gets tons on comments on it. Wow, I didn't realize Colorado was only 220 miles from Nebraska!

Looks beautiful and I'm glad you had a little get a way and enjoyed the beach. By the way, my lake has a daily tide. Oooo I may feel a blog coming on. One of these days I'm going to get to that part of the country. My sis in law lives in Minot, ND and I think I'd have to drive through Nebraska to get there.

AUG

2009

Hi Marianne, lots of lodges and house rentals on their website -- the link is on my post. We camped out in a tent, there are several private campsites,( with shade) but many people camp right on the shore in their RVs and tents- This was the grankids "First Camping Trip".

If I remember correctly, where I-76 meets I-80 ,Denver was only 30 miles further than Cheyenne - that seemed strange. Thanks for stopping by, Marianne, hope you get to go and enjoy it!

Hi Shirley, You're right, I bet Sandy gets a lot of comments about her name! Yes, Nebraska is one of our neighbors, so it's not too far to go to the beach LOL!! Thanks for stopping in Shirley, I do appreciate it!

Hi Tammy, I thought of you when I was there. Because I think your lake has over 300 miles of shore line, where as this Lake has only about 100. You might have to drive through Nebraska to see your sister, or at least clip a corner of it, from Georgia, that will be quite the trip!! Nice to see you tonight Tammy, thanks for stopping by!

Mary,

When I used to live in SoCal I was also under the impression that sand multiplied. :) It looks like you had a great time with your grand kids and it was well worth traveling 220 miles to see them and take a break on a nice sandy beach. Thanks for sharing the info and the beautiful photo.

Gerry's AR signature

Hi Mary-Love the photo. I am impressed. My dad was born in Lincoln Nebraska. Seriously!!! have a great weekend. <SMILE>

Hi Gerry, I'm glad to hear you agree about sand multiplying! LOL! Gerry, it was a very nice time and well worth the drive, and the pesky sand we brought home. Thank you for stopping by, it's nice to see you!

Hi Sharon, I'm glad you liked the photo! It's OK your Dad was born in Nebraska, I like you anyway! (KIDDING!!!!) :-) Seriously, Sharon - Thank you for stopping by, I hope you have a great weekend too!

In TN we are quite a long distance from the beach as well. We have lots of lakes around here, but ours do not feature sand (except of course where they hauled it in). We have the red clay which creates an interesting feeling when squishing between your toes :)

AUG

2009

Mary,

I am jealous... I want to go to the beach.

Ann

You're really getting out and about, girl! I'm going to have start checking in with you about the 'where to go, what to see and do' questions that come up! This looks terrific!

Having grown up on the west coast, the answer to your question about the sand is: You don't.

Debi

AUG

2009

Sounds like you had a wonderful time...hope you put on sunblock~it looked hot!

My land locked beach is only about ten miles away at the 11 mile reservoir. Then there is the old gorge water hole which has a sandy beach and a waterfall. If I ignore the water temp. and close my eyes I can almost pretend that I am on a beach.

Hi Xinh, It was about 95 degrees, which is hot for me! It didn't seem hot when we were in the water though, and you're right sunscreen was definitely required! Thank you for stopping by tonight, Xinh, I appreciate that.

Hi Sabrina, I have been to 11 mile! My brother and husband were fishing. Maybe I should have found your waterfall and closed my eyes! I just did not know ! LOL!! It's nice to see you, thanks for stopping by Sabrina!

AUG

2009

MISS MARY, I KNOW YOU ARE HERE, BECAUSE YOU ARE COMMENTING ON MY POSTS, WE NEED SOME NEWS FROM LAKE WOBEGONE RED FEATHER LAKES! =O)

AUG

2009

Hi Cheryl, I've been sidetracked, with company over the weekend, and showing property! ;-) I think I have a bit of a brain-cramp - I've written a few posts - but I don't like them! LOL! Nice of you to check up on me, maybe I can post something soon.

If it's sandy, it's a beach! I'm glad you had a nice time.

AUG

2009

Hi Susan! It was very sandy, and I had a lot of sand to prove it LOL! I think I have finally gotten most of it out of my car and my camera.... I appreciate you stopping by, thanks Susan.

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Mary Douglas, REALTOR ®, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Red Feather Lakes, CO

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United Country Ponderosa Realty

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