Windmill State Recreation Area - Gibbon                    2025 

I was glad to see this on the Passport this year.  Of course, we have no excuse for NOT stopping here before but this year we finally did.  Windmill State Recreation Area near Gibbon is a beautiful place to go and get away from the hustle and bustle of every day life.  

The park offers fishing in several lakes, boating, biking, hiking, various picnic tables and shelters, and camping.  

There is a nice disc golf, as well.  

It gets its name from the old time windmills in the park.  The oldest one is an 1880 Standard that was used to pump water for steam locomotives in Fleming, Colorado.  

The informative sign above even shows you what kind of fish are in the lakes.  There is a campground at the park which we could see across the lake.  Looks like it has quite a few spots for camper.  

Check the website, make your reservation and enjoy the great outdoors.

  

Big Red Treats - Grand Island                                                2025 

  

Popular, brightly decorated store.  Serving different flavors or ice cream and toppings.  They advertise an incredible number of combinations for a unique taste.  Just about everyone on earth could create their own special flavor.

 

 

I was astonished at the number of customers in the store already and more came it while we were there.  Their hours are the same  all year and the business is busy all year, as well.  

 

 The selections are amazing.  I did get a bag of caramel popcorn and it's quite good.  I try caramel popcorn nearly everywhere I find it and about half the time it's not all that great.  This one is really good.

 

 

 

Pham's Coffee & Boba - Grand Island                               2025  

 Pam's Coffee & Boba in Grand Island was opened in August 2023. They specialize in Vietnamese coffee and refreshing bubble tea drinks.  They also offer paninis, ube waffles, pandan waffles and macaroons.  

When you go into Pham's Coffee & Boba make sure to ask the friendly staff questions since this isn't our normal American fare, they'll help you decide what to try.  There were purple and green waffles.  They told us that the purple waffle was called an ube waffle and was made with tapioca flour and ube extract.  The Pandan waffle had a vibrant green color and is made with tapioca flour, creamy coconut milk and  pandan flavoring.  After the information, Cindy tried an  ube waffle. It was sweet and chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside.  It tasted fantastic!  She also ordered an iced almond milk coffee bubble tea with brown sugar tapioca pearls (they are also called boba).  She really likes bubble tea but this was the first time she had that one.  After we finished ordering, we did some research on our phones. We found out that Ube extract is derived from the purple yam. We also found out that Pandan is a plant native to Southeast Asia.  

There are tables and chairs to sit and enjoy something new.  Like this family.

Corner Hardware and More - Orchard                             2025 

Corner Hardware and More in Orchard is located in a 1910 historical building.  It is more than a hardware store.  They have a wide variety of Nebraska made products, tools, hardware, home decor, school supplies, toys, fudge, flowers and more.  Their motto is:  "If we don't have it, you don't need it".  

We visited with Heather, the owner, for quite some time.  She told us that she purchased the store in 2022.  She makes the fudge herself, right there in the store.  She also learned how to make the flower arrangements for customers.  

The various items in the inventory at the store helps the community get what they need so they don't have to drive 30 miles to get it.  We had a great time visiting with Heather and also seeing everything in the store.  Frank bought some fudge and declared it to be excellent. I needed a new retractable lead pencil to do my crossword puzzles and believe it or not, Corner Hardware had one. I saw a lot of things I could use but probably didn't really need.  This store is amazingly varied in it's merchandise.  This really is a big boost for Orchard, to have such a practically stocked store.  When you can, stop in and visit with Heather. She has an interesting story to tell about how she came to own this place.

Bloomin' Daisies, Floral & Gifts - Stuart                      2025 

 

 

Bloomin Daisies Floral and Gifts in Stuart is a gem to see.  

In 2023 Rich and Teri took ownership.  They both greeted us with smiles and told us their story.  They also said that they treat every customer as a cherished member of the extended family.  Apparently, this friendly, family oriented attitude is pretty common in Stuart.  They definitely made us feel like that.

The store was filled with beautiful flowers, butterflies, flower arrangements, gifts and gourmet chocolates plus much more. Cindy bought a beautiful glow in the dark butterfly magnet. 

We enjoyed our visit very much.  Rich and Teri are so personable and friendly.  Bloomin Daisies Floral and Gifts is a must see.  They also have a wonderful website.

 Winnetoon Mall & Post Office - Winnetoon                2025 

 

Winetoon Mall & Post Office is a must see. You'll  take a walk along the 1910 Boardwalk with historic storefronts and buildings. 

This is a project envisioned by Gayle Neuhaus and built by Joe Serres.  Gayle owned several empty lots right here and wanted to recreate a village she used to know.  Gayle's daughter is now the owner and is planning on restoring it to what it started as when Gayle and Joe first built it.

Along the Boardwalk there are plants and flowers that make the walk even more pleasurable.  Many of the building you see here are not actually buildings.  Look closely and you'll see how some of them are made.

Close by is a Natural Food Co-op that is loaded with bakery, handmade Goat's Milk lotions and soaps, gift items, natural products such as herbs and so much more.  We are only listing a few items.  There are so many things, we can't list them all.  Cindy really likes soap made with Goat's Milk so she bought some.  

You can drive up with a car or what ever is available to you.  After your walk you can cross the street and visit Elaine's Tavern for a meal, if you have time.  Winnetoon is a pretty remarkable place, especially since it's well off any road to anywhere.