Smith Falls State Park is named for Frederic Smith, who filed the first
homestead patent on the land that surrounds the falls. The site became a state
park in 1992. The main attraction is the highest waterfall in Nebraska, at 70
feet. The water is crisp and a perfect refresher on a hot summer day. The area
also has biological significance where several ice age species can still be
found.
We arrived and met Superintendent Amy Kucera to get the scoop on all
things Smith Falls. She grew up in the area, is an avid kayaker (loves to
take her dogs with her), and shared the history, layout, and some of her
favorites to do when you're at the park. We wrapped up with Amy and headed
straight to the falls. By the time we got there, we had all worked up a
pretty good sweat.
We all get down to our shorts we wore under our hiking clothes, and start
the approach in. You lose your breath for a second when the water hits
your feet, then your ankles, and the spray coming down over the edge
starts to get a little denser. It takes mere seconds before you're all in
. . . you're climbing rocks, getting to the perfect perch to take on the
most water and you're in, you're all in. "You're nuts!" is what I yell
over to Kevin and George (cameraman), who are filming nonstop inside one
of the biggest parts of the falls. I'm cold at this point and need to get
back in the sun. Kevin and George stayed in the falls the longest, and
came out (like the rest of us), utterly refreshed!
Could you imagine you homestead this place, and then one day whilst
exploring your property, you discover the falls?! Wow!
We towel off, get dressed and head back over the bridge to wrap things up at Smith Falls. We took some time on the bridge watching the day-trippers
and sunbathers float on by . . . favorite mode of transportation around
these parts? Tube. That's right, get in a floating tube and experience the
beautiful Niobrara River, a National Scenic River. It's an awesome way to
spend the day, floating all your cares away!
One of my favorite days of filming this season, and I can't wait to go back! Click the link below to watch the "Niobrara" episode.
