If you’ve been following my happenings at all on Facebook or Insta, you might be aware that the huz and I got the honor of attending the 2017 Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska this last weekend. I know, some of you are going to know exactly what a Cattlemen’s Ball is and some of you are thinking I’m kidding maybe? Like, “Is this an event where you dance with cattle? Or men? Or both? Are you wearing a prom dress in a pasture?” Yes. Yes you are. To all of that.
Just kidding.
The Cattlemen’s Ball of Nebraska is a non-profit fundraiser that raises dollars that funnel directly to cancer research. In fact, over the 20 years of holding the event, they have successfully driven over 11 million dollars to advance treatments, trials, and the overall landscape of cancer research in Nebraska.
Each year, the event is hosted on a ranch in Nebraska… but it is always a different ranch. Last year, my first year of attending, it happened to be hosted close to the Capitol City on a beautiful plot of land. And this year, it took place on the picturesque Lonesome River Ranch near Anselmo, Nebraska.
One of the things I have added to my bucket list since the dark day is to try to experience as much living in this life as I can. I know. That sounds like a broad blanket statement but really, before, I didn’t quite have the zest for doing all the things. But now, well, even if I try to take all the new and old experiences I can and experience them;).
So, when the hubcap and I happened to meet the sweetest couple, Jeff and Karen Evans, at last year’s event, and then found out they were on the co-hosting committee for 2017, it seemed like a sign that we were meant to put the 2017 event on the calendar. Karen and I kept in touch and when I confirmed that we would love to attend, she offered us a room in their Inn… errrrr… their house… because that’s what people in small communities so kindly do, they offer their bedrooms up to strangers. {Note: this is not untrue. The hubs and I welcomed our neighbors fake Aunt and Uncle to have the bottom floor of the house when his father died unexpectedly and they had a large number of family members in town. To me, this is what you do. To some of my “city” friends, we were bananas to let people we’d never met sleep under our roof. Different strokes for different folks, I say.}
Soooo… if you are not from Nebraska, Broken Bow is located about 3.5 hours to the west and north of Omaha. It inhabits around 3600 residents. And I had not been there in a coon’s age.
The hubs and I dropped the kiddos off with grandma and grandpa and headed west, with my borrowed cowgirl boots in tow {which, btw, I should just save my pennies and buy some because I’m already two years in…}. We took Hwy 92, the scenic route, and jammed to country tunes a lot of the way because country music and summer go together like peanut butter and bananas… sometimes you just hafta have it.
As we drove west, the landscape began to change from flat plains to rolling hills. And I took in the gorgeous views and peaceful roads. We arrived at the Evans’ home in the early evening and were welcomed by one of their awesome daughters, Sarah, and her husband, Matt. We sat outside, enjoyed the views, and popped a few brews from Kinkaider Brewery. And about a beer and change later, sister Steph and her hubs, Jason, arrived, and we all decided it was time to head in and check out “Bow.”
We went to Kinkaider Brewery first and I HIGHLY recommend it.
Don’t let the scent of “money” {errrrr, cattle} outside of the building scare you off, it’s an awesome place to meet friends for food or brews, a great haunt to hit up for happy hour, and I would even take the kids there if you live around there and are looking for a fun Friday or Saturday spot.
I tried their sour beer, Snozzberry Sour, which was surprisingly crisp and delicious {surprising because I don’t usually like sours}, 
…an easy drinking Herd Law Honey Wheat that I suppose was reminiscent of a Blue Moon and came with an orange garnish, and the hubs had a tasty Devil’s Gap Jalapeno brew.
I also tasted the Dunkel, and Moscow Mule Ale {yes. And it is yuuuuuummmmmmy}. Oh oh oh… and you can buy some of their beers in the bottle and before we headed out to dinner, I had a Snow Beast, and it was seriously my fave. I really love to drink the Infusion Vanilla Bean Blonde Ale and while I am no beer snob or afficianado, I thought the Snow Beast had similar “notes.” {Is that a thing for beer? I hope so because I’m rollin’ with it…}
We ordered a round of cheese curds as well because cheese is one of the main food groups and one should always order fried cheese curds when one has the opportunity. 
We decided to hit up another local spot for dinner to have the opportunity to see more of the town. And we ended up at the Arrow Hotel and the Bonfire Grill.
While we waited for our food, a guy who was working the hotel front desk was kind enough to let me head up to one of the rooms to get a view of what the historic Arrow Hotel has to offer. A little bit of the history of the Hotel from its website:
The Arrow Hotel a unique place where hospitality and traditional values are merged. Located just off the city square in Broken Bow, Nebraska, the Arrow’s 25 comfortable suites and rooms have a soft rustic touch that make a strong impression on all guests. Originally built in 1928, the Arrow is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and combines elegant western charm with modern-day conveniences complete with wireless, high-speed internet access, cable television with HBO, and in-room coffee service. The Arrow Hotel lobby hosts the Bonfire Grill restaurant with room service available and the Bonfire Pub for fun and relaxation.
According to the front desk dude {who asked that I not put him in photos… so clearly he knows what kind of blog I write;)} told me the rooms rent for $185 a night and with a King bed, a room with two twin beds, a living room, kitchen, eating area, and two bathrooms, there’s plenty of room for the whole fam.
I could picture road tripping across Nebraska with the boys and staying in this charming Historic locale, letting them go run around the town square {which seriously might be the stuff of idyllic daydreams} — hanging out in the Gazebo that made me feel like I was in Stars Hollow and playing on the sparkly, new-ish playground equipment, and maybe even taking in a flick at the Tiffany Theater. We love taking the kiddos to fun towns and exploring the food, sites, and people that they have to offer.
When I rejoined my group and told them that I let a dude I’d never met take me up to a hotel room, they, of course, confirmed that I am bananas. And they had a little app waiting to try. This was a crab cake with guac… something I’d never had before… and it was pretty good. 
I actually didn’t order a dinner because my stomach seemed to be rather angry with me by that point so I had a loaded baked potato. It was okay. But to be transparent, I am a loaded potato snob. But I think our whole table was pretty satisfied with the food. I have to be honest… if I go back to Broken Bow, I want to try out the food at Kinkaider Brewery next time because some of the menu offerings caught my eye. I totally loved going to both Kinkaider and Bonfire though because I loved getting to check out a couple of the local hot spots and realllllly dug getting to see the downtown because it. is. perfectly. quaint.
We have a lofty goal of seeing each and every state in the US of A before the Littlest goes to college so I am hopeful that the kiddos and the huz and I will see everything from the Anselmo(s) to the NYC and see the beauty of everything our hearts get to experience. This little piece of America spoke right to my small town gal heart.
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I’ll have part 2 of my Cattlemen’s Weekend recap up tomorrow…
