Birding Atop the Sand Hilltops

James E. Ducey

Along the dim trails among the sea of grass-covered dunes in the Nebraska sandhills, a sporadic route in recent years has varied in pursuit of a higher view. During particular days, the trucking was to the known, peak elevations to the sights and to experience the night.

Wet valley at Baldy Hill. All photos by James E. Ducey.

The first stop for upclose watching was at Baldy Hill on May 18, 1995. Baldy Hill, in northeast Arthur County near Swan Lake, is the government name. The ranch on the northeast slope has its own variation on the same theme, showing Bally Hill on the resident's sign.

The route, following a brief stop at the ranching place, went on up and parked on the north-side slope, with walking needed to get to the utter top. It is a sunny, nice setting, with the lee side of a blowout a fine spot out of the wind to view the day away.

In the next month - mid-June 1995 - the start to Wild Horse Hill was a parking place east of the south Ashby county road, waiting and avoiding mid-day heat in a towel covered - for shade - rig. The first visit here was a hike - yes, it was steep - on the hill-side to the summit in the cool and shady portion of latter afternoon.

The scene was the typical dune-scape with sand getting shown by the common wind of these places. The hill sides were gouged with seemingly sign of the sidehill gouger. Where this lop-sided rodent lived, there might be the predatory sandhills wampuscat.

Swale on Wild Horse Hill.

During this and subsequent encounters at these heights, 21 bird species have been noted, including the grand Golden Eagle and always enjoyed Common Nighthawk. Only the Horned Lark and Western Meadowlark were seen each time.

Interlude Atop Old Baldy Peak

It was Tuesday, May 28th and after 3 p.m. in south-west Cherry County. The appropriate ranch-hand showed the way on a quadrangle map, where the direction and approximate path to Old Baldy were apparent. The peak to the west has a 4,209 feet elevation.

After a quick slug from a well used jug of tart drink, the dual tracks were followed west from the lake house. The cowboy's rig was active with three cattle dogs pawing around its rolling along, back flat-bed.

The first barbed wire fence-gate was off the North Ashby road. It was the entry into The Melvin, a local name for the cow pasture.

Gate 2 had cows with branded calves, a windmill with two tanks and a rundown, worn, and only pieces left wood, ramshackle shack with nothing for doors or windows.

Gate 3 the typical process of getting the wire open and moving the gate, with a fly-by of two cowbirds.

Old Baldy came into view from the north side of Keller Lake. The trail was not a first choice was across the hills of the range. There is a foundation for an abode on the north side of the lake. A few metal objects - fence and pieces - are strewn about in a nearby swale.

At the west end of the lake was a visible trail, good for a few hundred yards as a veer off to and through gate number four. A pair of Long-bill Curlews watched a visitor as they flew about. The final route included an unused and drifted in gate with land marker for sections 17 16 and south 20 21 at T25N R40W, in legals land lingo.

On approach to the top, rain was hitting on Old Baldy. Lightning streaks and quick thunder were the norm during the scan for a route to the hill-top from the east. There was a previous trail for a short ways. Then slow and steady 4-wheel-action to nearly reach the hill's top.

At the peak, if the truck was taken any further, it would roll or tumble down the slopes. The chosen spot was level with a 350o view of gray air and wet hills accompanied by regular thunder. Windy here. Sun shines a ways in the distance. It was seven miles to the temporary abode from the North Ashby Road. Reminders of the gates are evident on a left hand with two scratches from barbed fence.

The truck spot is in section 17. Old Baldy commons includes 18, 19 and so, in T25N R40W of Cherry County, with the line and then Sheridan County 1.5 miles west. Grant county is three miles south. Quadrangle maps readily reveal the place in a township. Rather than specifics, the point was to be sitting on Old Baldy in the evening. Oh what a sight!

Time to twist the lid for a cool drink under the thunderstorm weather. A truck's shelter was a comfort from gusty wind and south rain. A Western Meadowlark a few feet away in the grass is quiet as it forages for a tasty bit of eats.

Seven mule deer and a fawn feed across a chasm and looking down just on the hill side of furrowed slope to the west. Where the sidehill gouges cover the hill's slopes. The slightest flat spots provides the animal's rest stop.

By 5 p.m. the truck windows are open for a listen to the floaty song of several meadowlarks. Horned Larks tinkling about an outlook from the driver's seat.

Radio channels scanned for alternate tunes indicate: 90.1 (KILI, voice of the Lakota Nation), 90.3, 91.1, 91.5, 94.1, 94.9, 95.5, 96.1 (KINI, the Rosebud tribe), 96.9, 97.5, 98.7, 99.7, 102.1 and 105.9 selections if local tunes needed a change. Others appeared with manual tuning: 88.7, 92.9, 101.5, 102.5, 104.7, 105.1 is the rocking golden oldie Locomotion, 105.3 and 106.5 had news out of Ogallala. Most every number had some sort of channel during this idle pastime with the changer button.

A Mourning Dove flew by, moving on the wind streams.

At 5:30 p.m. rain is coming back, in from the west. Windows are up and there is more waiting to roam. And wind, as the truck rocks to ensure it is not forgotten by the winds.

Time passes with thunder as words get scribed. Lightning strikes at Indian Hill, the hill over there to the south. Then west in the dark, water-laden clouds of hanging, dark gray. Now rain is from the north and west during a thunder-storm with more than a bit of water falling. There is dark gray, light gray sky in the distance, gray haze in an infinite variety of surrounding shades marked by rain drops. More lightning also.

A sudden flash and thunder hit at this hill-top spot. Then another set with a vivid piercing bit of lightning. Another bolt with the boom following ... then another. The aerial realm is a solid sheet of flat gray pierced by the grand light of the bright bolts, mentioned by consistent thunder. A 6 p.m. western time presents little to see through the masking grays. Then a piece of hail stops at the window. Within moments, a few more arrive. Conditions are unabated and fierce. Lightning. Hail and thunder. Remembering a look at the sight. The thunder growls.

Water gathers in the low valley northeast and east of the hill. There are pools and rivulets. Swales on Old Baldy have a little bit of a pool. The rumble rolls and the lightning strikes. There are about 25 water land places visible on the local landscape. The water places fade with the lessening rain to the east in the three valleys, Keller lake to the southeast.

The entire valley was moist and water-logged. Gathered moisture was a gleam among the green of the grass. It shined like the polished chrome on a truck, at dusk on a day with sunshine. The regular ponds were at the windmills.

With night-fall, tall towers added to the visit's purpose: one south some miles, perhaps near renowned Highway 2, and two on a big hill west well into the next county.

The morning was gray clouds, fog and rain. Scattered sunlight increased in the after noon with winds steady and over 20 m.p.h. with gusts.

After lunch, meant a quick walk about the hill summit. Any attempt to perch a short moment on the cement geodetic marker - a specialty of the meadowlark - were thwarted by the ceaseless air from the north. Rain drops meant a retreat from the outside.

Weather continues but at 5 p.m., fog and light rain arrive. Radio tuning variety still beaming.

A brisk run to and back from the geodetic marker to snap a view of the southwest valley, certainly meant a few minutes of rest afterwards. Sneaker-clad feet got soaked on the wet grass.

Common Nighthawks arrived by eight in the evening. A glowing red in a half circle marked the sun's set on the horizon.

During the night view, tower lights were seen: two beyond Indian Hill, one towards the east and one up north. Add the two to the west. Also a flashing light towards what could have been the Hyannis airport. Numbers changed with viewing conditions.

A fine morning as blue skies and calm finished this visit to Old Baldy. Left the hill in the direct route basically straight down the east slope. Then south to the first gate, the direction obvious after seeing the setting from above.

Departure route had gate at southeast of hill, west end of Keller Lake, east end of the same lake, a mile east of the lake. Then an open gate at west end of The Melvin. Gate at the mill, marsh and abandoned place. Seven miles to the road gate and a close for the Old Baldy time.

Bucket on the pole atop Big Hill.

Big Hill

Years of driving around the region and miles around over and up got me to the hill-top for a night at Big Hill, on June 6-7, 2001 to peak at 4,147 feet.

A doe, a female deer with a fawn, were about the hill-top, staying in the slight shade cover of the blowout. Two other deer were scared from their blown out resting place while the an intruder walked over the big sand dune.

In the blowout were three blooming plants of the penstemon variety. There were several shoots from each which meant more of the showy bluebell flowers.

While ensconced in the truck, avoiding the sun, a eye was kept active for signs of birdlife. The common grass lark was always giving up a song. Six species were noted for the locale.

The bucket atop the marker pole rattles in the wind, and is wired to be kept in place. A traveling loggerhead shrike landed on the plastic for a minute. In the late evening the working nighthawks arrive before dark.

At 1 a.m., during three scans of the horizon with a standard spotting scope view was the search method for artificial sky lights. There was a white flash towards Hyannis, also a red light tower, plus two red lights far to the southwest, a flashing red to the far west. In the north were several lights of Gordon including flashing red, flashing white on towers. Add in three small white lights seen up north.

Naturally about is a multitude of stars, though there were fewer visible because of a tasty, full moon over the hilltop. Departure in the morning included a distance look at McAlister Lake.

Geodetic markers atop Wolf Hill.

Summit at Wolf Hill

Mid-day Wednesday, June 17,2001, finally meant arrival at Jenn after driving to three ranches to get permission and to check on suitable directions through the fence gates to the summit. The cattle man at the Mooney Ranch, mentioned the locale sat on the Cambrian Arch, with the house having creaked as the geology moved.

The driving route to the top went through a cattle yard and onto Wolf Pasture. The trail was plenty dim. Cattle ways and other foot-deep ruts were a hazard on the grassy slope to the summit. There was some extra rattling happening and at least one surprise drop into a rut that cattle followed to get water from the stock tank down in the valley.

The first task was using a hill-top piece of 2x4 board surveyor's relict to beat out a skewed part of a Dune truck leaf-spring on the back, passenger side wheel. It wouldn't go back in so it came out.

The truck was moved to a suited place to sit; first at a tilt just a few feet south of the primary marker on the east summit and thus the peak of the sandhills - 4295 feet or 1309 meters. The broken off upper piece of the cement marker was set back onto the base. A thought a minute later, was whether it was proper to make this change? Then went to flatter place at the north-west hill-top. From the first parking place, it seemed to be higher but the busted in half Jenn marker has the appropriate details to mark the hill's summit.

Jenn No. 1 is a twin. Both arrived in 1946 with the government survey and stand within a few ten's of feet of Jenn, the geodetic marker of the Great American Sandhills' renowned tallest point.

Yucca were in bloom on a sunny hot, summer day. It's hazy but local landmarks are still viewable. The scene is mostly rolling dunes and dry prairie. A ranch and pivot-irrigation field is visible to the east. There a lake miles to the southwest across Highway 27. A couple of evergreen trees are spotted southward along the paved travel route.

To the northwest is Morton Hill (4,276 ft.), Lloyd Hill and Argo Hill. A blown-away spot to the northeast is Big Hill where the penstemon grow. Southeast is Old Baldy Peak, though there is no way for me to know which dune. Other unnamed hill-tops prevail here in the highlands.

A favorite sight - little puffs of clouds - arrived in passing in early afternoon. The temperature keeps going up here into the lower 90s. Peak time continues above the sand hills summit place, joined with three other peaks in the hills.

At 2 p.m. the truck shelter is moved to rework where the hot sun-beams are hitting. The parking spot is now the south summit, putting the position nearly above it all here in the hills, though there may be a tower height somewhere that could loom above. No towers are visible from here on this hazy mid-day.

Wolf Hill is on the Cambrian Arch, giving the place a reputation where visitors appreciate the scene. The summit is the peak of the dune land of the sand hills. Get me steady on Jenn, despite the coming gusts, and a hat-covered head is at a height that exceeds 4,300 feet, and above all the hills' land.

A summer hawk flies below. Three larks are here - the Western Meadowlark, Horned Lark and Lark Sparrow. A Barn Swallow flew past on wings on the air.

A big dark-colored shadow is coming across the dry hills to here as the clouds increase.

Another Swainson's Hawk soars by above as a reminder of what else is part of this place. Various clouds with their distinct and unique patterns are marking the azure blue sky.

Time ticks on, with reality meaning a snooze, a snack and looking about. The clock kept it ticks going. Before sunset, scattered light showers are falling to the west. A bolt of lightning is seen at one larger bunch of moisture. Then a second flash and eventually thunder is heard from far-off partly cloudy skies.

The sun sets on the sensuous horizon between Morton Hill and Lloyd Hill. As the land fades into dark, another bright lightning marks the scene.

With dusk the first flash of a tower light is visible to the southwest. Others may appear as a dune-top day is done. There are no power lines apparent.

An interesting radio mix of channels from Goodland, KS and far-away Klamath Falls and a second southern Oregon station. Spanish-language DJ's readily heard to provide an alternative language of choice.

There were some very brief showers overnight. No more cell towers were detected in an early morning look around the horizon.

The wind continued throughout the night, but at a somewhat lesser rate.

It is too humid for comfort at 6 a.m. The day starts with native voices of the Lakota nation radio station. After a short hike around the summit and an hour later the drive off Wolf Hill began. It was five minutes to be down in the valley, then going along the mill trail and east to southwest Cherry and beyond.

Then the engine timing belt quit working in Ashby, a few short hours after departure from atop the remote aspect of Wolf Hill. After an inquiry to the town mechanics that were busy with tractors, some local ranch help got the dead truck taken to Alliance for a new timing belt that took a few days of wait for repairs, the show was on the move again. A route led to town food, something cold to drink and southward on the highway to a short, western peak.

Two-Wheel Drive to the Top of Cowboy Hill

Western Cowboy Hill is in low dunes and the trailway there started the evening before Independence Day, the 225th of the U.S.A. in 2001.

The first ranch was a nice visit and proper directions. The next stop was enough to reach the hill-top.

Permission for the drive was given by local rancher, a new owner arrived from near Denver, Colorado on November 1, 2000. An original buy in the southwest fell through so he first came to Nebraska in May 2000. Denver was getting too close, was the reason for being here.

Talk was about the hills. Grass was raised on the ranch. Grass was a smart reply, a lot smarter than any county extension agent was the owner's opinion.

Birds were part of the discussion. The buildings had Cliff Swallows nesting on building sides like a Barn Swallow might. There was a fence separating the marker area according to the evening chatter. An inquiry was about another bird, which figured to be the Wilson's Phalarope, once the cattle man was shown a picture in the field guide and given another mention so it could be suitable pronounced.

With visit permission, the route was eastward on an unsure route. The trails matched the maps but other driving hints weren't working. A third route got me near the hill-top. The first driving trail was on the north side of the meadow, ready for haying and meant no driving across. The second was going to the pivot motor. The third went over blown out spots and grass. Only one gate needed to be open.

On top of the hill was reached in 2x4 driving, since the 4x4 was not working. There was no indicator light working, a previous condition bringing work to ensure not getting bogged in sand along the way.

Parking was near the top since basically a north-to-south four-strand fence prevented parking the Dune vehicle right near the government marker.

There were plenty of light views to notate.

North - a multitude of lights including some water towers of Alliance; the hill-top is fourteen miles south-southwest of Alliance.

Northwest - lights of Hemingford in the distance.

West - yard lights of two ranches, including a living room view possible through a spotting scope; also, easily seen moving lights of traffic along Highway 385. The train could be heard on the railroad tracks in this direction.

Southwest were two big towers with red lights plus other blinks of tower lights.

South were two towers together in their blinking.

There is a busy horizon from a view atop Cowboy Hill, with its geodetic marker named Cowboy. Height is 4,295 feet - or 1298 meters - and thankfully the "gentle" slope was a two-wheel-drive time. There are two reference markers that point to Cowboy. The route of the drive was similar to that of the folk that placed the markers in 1946, while doing government work to mark the places. Directions for a old route to the hilltops are on the internet.

The view to the east was not visible from the night's vantage-point but there were no tower things seen during daylight.

Waking time was 5 a.m. on Independence day; got up, looked at a moving box turtle, and went to the Cowboy marker to walk around, and stand for a few minutes. It was certainly early light. There were clouds and light and hidden sun and nothing that looked like a reason to stay. Returned to the SUV, listened to some radio and then got some snooze. Two hours later, had another short walk around to watch cloud cover go around against the blue sky domain.

Departure was driving went west down the hill and across the grass, along the rough-surface plane runway and on through a quiet ranch yard. It was a basic four miles to the highway, then southward to get gasoline.

Hilltop visiting vehicle on Indian Hill, with Old Baldy in the background.

Indian Hill Interlude

Permission to access the summit was forthcoming from rancher Troy the previous evening using the phone in Hyannis while at the vet shop with other local guys: Art, Gary and Bill, then Rod for a short time.

Loitered the truck for a short time Wednesday afternoon and evening at the Alkali Lake ranch, to stay close for the hilltop expedition. Went south from Dipping Vat valley on the county road to the well-used cowboy's trail west to windmills and summer livestock range. Stopped for the overnight at the first gate at the wind mill turning by an abandoned, wood house of a past settler.

Departed at 7:30 A.M. on Thursday, October 18, 2001 for the interlude at 4,184 feet.

The first stop on the west way was at Keller lake to enjoy five Trumpeter Swans swimming. Brisk wind continues and clouds abound. The big white birds first called and swam together in a flight going to the east at 8:30. Other fowl of the tumbling lake were Ring-necked Duck, Northern Pintail, greenhead Mallard, Redheads, American Widgeon, Green-winged Teal and American Coots (ca. 225 total).

Reached the crest of Indian Hill at 10 a.m. A hawk flies below. A barbed-wire fence lined above halts further driving up the hill. The best view is to the north.

Cowboys riding sere range were watched gathering cows and summer's calves in the distance. The spotting scope brings a closer view to the riding pair in a valley north of Keller lake. The black dots are gathered to be moved east to the ranch place.

On a jaunt to the summit, the wind and larks were heard. Sandhill Cranes, trains and plains traffic were sounds not seen. Cattle and grasshoppers were moving around to forage on the remains of the season's prairie plants.

Some of the visit time was spent limpid in the summit blowout soaking in the sun was while under clothing cover, serious day-dreaming atop the hill. The cell tower west of Ashby readily viewed on its hill-top a few miles distant.

The day changes. Wisps of clouds are blown along in an autumn blue sky. Within Dune at noon to wait as the day changes. Time passes. Clouds vary.

Another walk about was done in the early afternoon.

Departure came after four brief hours of prairie parking. There was a quick stop at a relict home place northeast of the Indian hill. Waited there for evening light.

Black cows and big calves gather about the grove of beaten trees and wood piece relicts built in years of old. Water is still provided, using a mill that goes no place when the wind stops. The memories are gone.

Dune was moving out by 5 p.m., when the shadows were getting long. There were about 250 waterfowl present when the truck went bouncing past Keller lake.

The first out-going lake was south of the east end of the lake. Drive a mile to the next gate to get around. One mile, then one gate. After a half-mile of through the bull pasture, it was open and close gate four. Then onward another one of those miles to cruise through an open gate, on to the county road and southward to tiny Ashby and beyond.

The day's time was done. Time to go onto the highway and off to the east.

Highland of Five Summits

A highland of five summits was visited October 20-21, 2001.

After refreshing permission to visit, at 8 a.m. found a parking place atop Morton Hill, after less than 30 minutes to reach the hilltops range. Listened to the voice of the Pine Ridge, tribal jingle music while getting prepped for an a.m. hike. Plans are to get to four 4,000 feet plus elevation summits around a nice parking on a hill north of the Highland Flats.

The maps show Morton Hill and Lloyd Hill. There is also Lohsey Hill east of Morton and the hill to the north in the Big Ott pasture of the Hamilton ranch. Another summit of some unknown name is to the southeast, in the south ranch pasture.

Steps marched with a steady beat upon departing the truck, with camera, notebook and water across, moving across the sandy hills of prairie grass and other flora. Dune sits still atop the Morton Hill promontory.

Going north, over a barbed wire fence, meant a realization of being on anothers summer range after the crossing. Steps continued going towards Big Ott and after crossing the fence line at another spot, there was a ready path to the summit.

A hawk flies above. Occasionally a cactus bud is taken off the canvas of the converse tennis shoes or denim jeans. Or a cactus spine is picked from its embedding in the foot or leg flesh.

On the hill, ten mule deer were flushed from the west slope. They moved away to find an undisturbed place. Sole sounds are wind and horned lark chirps during a break on the plateau of the hill.

Rancher Mark drove by nearby on a red four-wheeler with the cow dog. The perspective of the action was from a reclined spot in the grass, making notes while not being seen. When moos were heard so nearby, a situp was needed to watch them go past. Beyond this hill, south to the trail to the highway and onward was the move to the third summit-top reached for the day.

It is hot and sweaty for me sitting on Lohsey Hill. The jacket and light gloves were removed along the walk. At this summit spot, off came the sweatshirt and out came water. A rest lasted only a few moments to cool off in the winds of the day. Other points to the south were added to the walking tour.

The hike went southeast to the top of an unnamed hill with a 4267 elevation given on the map. Then further to the southwest was a flank of the hill at 4152 height.

Weather has been calm to only a slight breeze and the sky mostly clear. Upon getting to the south pasture, scattered clouds began to move in from the southwest.

Wolf Hill is across the valley from here where a jackrabbit runs and a few grouse fly a ways to get away from the intruder.

The current route continues to the west, across Highway 27 and Highland Flats to return to the point of origin on Morton Hill.

The hike lasted 4.5 hours and went to summits of 4,285', 4,276', 4,267' and flank at 4,152' and back to the top of Morton. The rate of travel was about two miles per hour.

After an hour's break, the walk way continued.

The route to Lloyd was basically north. It went down the hill, across the valley with the wind-mill and up the hill-side to the summit. The only sounds on the slope upward were labored breathing, a heart pounding from exertion, and feet noise going through the dry, fall vegetation. The exertion meant a sweat.

It is mostly cloudy and windy, with comfortable temperatures. While scribbling on the Lloyd summit, the pencil point breaks. Words get put down anyway with focused effort to get the lead working.

On the hill is a deep blowout. A magical hawk feather lays on the ground among the grass. The stay was long enough to have a refreshing wild lemonade drink. There was some decent light for a few moments to help me enjoy the site visit.

This late afternoon hike was about three miles, down and up the dune slopes.

In the evening, hips had a achy feel due to the unusual extent of sand hiking in one day.

It was silent in the eve. The tower lights came out at six p.m., evident with lights at three places on the horizon to the east and south. From this vantage point Highway 27 is visible straight south and to the northeast. Vehicles on the highway below and beyond are only occasional, as are any traveling lights during the seen in the night.

In the dark, the whole western horizon is nearly continuous with lights. It starts with those of a small hamlet, probably Lakeside, and then along the way west and then northward are about twenty detectable places of illumination are obvious. Four other lights from towers are elsewhere on the remainder of the horizon. The Hyannis airport turning light beacon is also readily visible. A single ranch yard light was visible locally, a few miles south on the highway.

Star-lights are partial in a clearing sky.

It was slow getting to sleep because of joint soreness and troublesome cactus spines embedded in - though sock-covered - fleshy, feet and ankles. An evening's food fare is eaten during a wake time when the truck light is on to illuminate writing with a newly sharpened pencil point.

Departure was after a 24 hour visit where five summits were visited. The route afterwards went south on Highway 27 towards a hill-top some place else.

The birdian results: American Crow, Barn Swallow, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Nighthawk, Golden Eagle, Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Lark Sparrow, Loggerhead Shrike, Mourning Dove, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Swainson's Hawk and the ubiquitous Western Meadowlark of widespread singing ability.

Horse herd at Bourquim Hill.

Bourquim Hill Horses

Bourquim Hill is 16 miles west, northwest of Arthur and reached via the main north road. The first look around was mid-day the previous Wednesday, and via the south road and that gave poor, sandy travel and an alternate route now closed by a barbed wire gate at the windmill. No one was around to contact to get access permission, even after making phone calls when back at Arthur.

After making a phone call to get permission to visit, arrival to overlook Arthur county was at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, for October 21-22, 2001. The southern hill is west and a bit south of the Lane place of the Haythorn ranch spread. Velma was once the nearest post-office. The route went through two gates, both got opened and closed, and then onto the hill. After a couple of walk-abouts to demark a suitable route, and a drive of a couple of miles, first trying the east slope, and then going around to the west side to make the summit. Finally got settled about 11:30 a.m. and at over 4,000 feet of elevation to watch the land changes on a warm and sunny day. The level parking spot was about 15 steps from the Velma 2, No. 3 reference marker of 1973. The official elevation is 4,078 feet.

The first event was a hawk soaring below. It was a Northern Harrier. An intruding wasp was chased from the front seat of the gray truck with the Dune plate.

There is a fly now buzzing. Grasshoppers abound in the grass of the land here at the hill. Otherwise the sole sound is the wind. Maybe an occasional jet-liner goes past in the empyrean realm and makes an artificial sound to the day. The blue above is lined with contrails of passage.

Lunch is a banana, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips and oatmeal and raisin cookies. The drink was a big gulp of water from the plastic jug.

Time passes. The sun is behind clouds by mid-afternoon. Crickets are sounding off on the scene, as views of the day changes. A two-dish tower is obvious six miles south of this vantage point.

It was a gray sky evening. A crescent of the moon was partially visible early in the night.

In the dark of 9 p.m. the dusk hike was to atop the hill to get the sky view. The lights were: east - a bright white tower and a red-light tower; north - Hyannis airport turning light and the tower to the west; west - Alliance aglow on the clouds cover, and south - ten distinct light spots in what must be the Platte valley. Glow spots from five places, mark other localities where the people's lights are reflected on the gray sky. There were no cellular-type towers apparent in the west. It was dark locally.

The night's respite was comfortable and uneventful.

Clouds cleared in the morning. The horse herd came by for a while, allowing fake pictures of the bunch.

Departure was down the east hill-slope. Went through the two gates again and past the former ranch places, finely painted but are no one's home. A 24 hour visit was done.

On departing, went west through Garden county and north on the South Ashby road which is black and smooth and fine to drive on.

On the route north to Highway 2, passed the new communications tower atop Wild Horse Hill. The construction includes a power line along the northeast part of the hill to the top of the summit and the tower's associated small building. There is now a trail-road to the structure and support building. A visit meant a drive around and up to park and watch the sunrise, isolated from the outside weather.

Driving up to the higher elevations was complete. Notes remained and the hills were still, ready for another visit, as routes to somewhere continued. Wild Horse Hill has a regular driving trail to follow on later-day stints to see changes in the skies or to hear the bird songs. Or for a view from where communication towers soar.

The routine has continued when readily driving to lesser heights of interest.

Hilltop view of hay shakers at work on the Fawn Lake Ranch.

Calf Creek valley west of Giant Hill.

An unnamed hill along the wet valley is a fine spot to watch hay shakers during their summer tasks. Buffalo roamed at Sevenmile Hill. A place on Giant Hill reveals the yellow color splendor of cottonwoods along the Calf Creek Valley. Whitecap Hill, with too many cedar trees, is north of Lakeland, and along the county road. At lowly Ikenburg Hill south of Ainsworth, wind turbines spin over the tops of the relative hillocks crossed by worker roads. Near the end of the road, Aljo Hill is next to Graveyard Meadow aside the Gordon Creek.

There is another hilltop awaiting a visit among the sea of grassy sand hill dunes.