Hello Travelers,

Had our first day back at the caboose. It was a chilly day, with wind. Wow those birds must be loving the thermals (updrafts). We met only a few people going to see the cranes.  

My mom read me some fun farm facts about cranes. I thought they were fun to chase, but it seems like they are very interesting birds. They have what is called ICE TOES. How do they keep those non feathered feet warm in that cold water or ice?

Wellllll, it seems they have a unique warming system set up. The warm blood vein surrounds the cold artery going back up to the heart. It keeps the warm blood circulating. 

My mom is reading the book The Big Year. It is about birding and one guy in the book is coming to Grand Island in March. It is also a great movie; we watched it the other night. 

I met a really nice man, he was a veteran and purple heart recipient.  He said dogs don't like him, but he gave me the best belly scratch of the day. A bark out to him; dogs like him just fine. 

Talk to you next week, come visit us at the caboose on Saturdays and you can get great info and scratch my tummy. Go Grand Island!

Rosie Jo

Saturdays of Summer are almost gone. We have only one more Saturday to meet and greet the travelers in Nebraska. 

We have met a lot of really wonderful people this year. Saturday was kind a representation of all the people and experiences that we've had this summer. It started slowly. My first family who came to visit me were from Grand Island. They have always wanted to see inside the Caboose. We had fun sniffing and playing inside; toes were tickled. 

Our next visitor was a boy. He was not too happy about his Mom sending him in for a map. He got a surprise when I came out to greet him. He smiled, did the requested belly rub and left with his map for Mom. A few minutes later he brought in his little sister. She was really sticky. I took care of that situation quickly. She left with clean hands and a smile. 

I went back to my kennel and she then decided to join me inside the kennel. She was little and she fit. We sat for a few minutes until her brother said they had to go. I enjoyed the company for a few minutes, Mom never visits me in the kennel.  

Our last visitors were deaf. I wonder if they knew my Mom did a little sign language? They were greeted with some signing. They were shocked that my Mom could communicate a little bit. I think the effort and time taken was much appreciated. Thank yous and You're Welcomes were exchanged several times. We have one more week at the Caboose and then the next day the Running of the Wieners, at the Platt Duetsche from 12:30-3:30pm.  

Come watch me try to run with other wiener dogs. Go Grand Island! 

Rosie Jo

It was really slow this Saturday, got  my eight hours nap in earlier than normal. The Nebraska State Fair probably was where my fans were located. My Mom said the theme was "The Good Life, On a stick"  As I was dreaming I came up with my top 5 favorite things on a stick:

5. Pup-peroni-If only, my favorite dog treat should be put on a stick

4. Ice Cream-the only people food my Mom lets me have, vanilla of course.

3. Steak-I am a dog after all. Cooked or Not, Love me some steak anytime.

2. Toes-Not in a bad way, legs are sometimes called sticks and I do love the toes.

1. Nothing-Sticks are best used for fetching!

Hope you all have a great week. Go to the State Fair, It is worth the effort! My Mom will be there Wednesday and Saturday night at the welcome center. 

Rosie Jo

Sorry I missed a week, my Mom took me to a wedding. I offered to be a flower girl, but my good dress was at the cleaners. I stayed at the house and napped.

Saturday was a lot of fun. A special bark out to the gentleman from Arkansas, he gave the best belly scratch I've had in a long time. Also, the three amigos from Grand Island, I hope the two who were visiting stay. We had fun telling them all about what to see in Grand Island.

There are things that surprise even Grand Islanders, great things to see near and in Grand Island.

The Grand Theater.You know about it, but when was the last time you went? You will get hooked if you go, it is a lot of fun. "Bugeaters" was such a success. This is the last the show house in Grand Island. 

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, when was the last time you experienced this local landmark. It gets better every year.

Central Community College Extended learning services classes. They have a glass etching class coming up and my favorite dog training. Cooking? learn to cook, eat your fill and take home receipes and a doggie bag. Belly dancing, now I am all in for anything that involves a belly. We will be there Saturday, so come and see us.

We will show you Grand Island hospitality and even if you are from Grand Island, we can give you great hints of fun things to do.

Go Grand Island! 

Rosie Jo

I love going out to the caboose to be petted every week!

I met two rather noisy dogs as I walked to the caboose.  They barked and barked, I just ignored them and walked on by. Mom doesn't like me to bark at people, it might scare them; she shared my treats with them and they settled down. 

We meet quite a few dogs out at the caboose. They don't usually come in, but I am willing to share some water or food if they need it. Mom brings my kennel out so I have a very soft bed to sleep in between being petted. I had two really nice men sit on the floor and play with me, they had wonderful smells of their dogs. In fact one called his master, I mean wife, to make sure his best friend was being fed. They told my mom that their motorcycles had broken down and they were waiting for friends to come and get their bikes. I loved the smell of their leather boots, vests and chaps. It must have looked very funny with them sitting on the floor, but I got several good belly rubs out of it, so it was cool.

 I had a great time with several toes this weekend. I really love to sniff everyone's toes when they are showing.  My wet nose makes them take notice of me and lean down to pet me. I had 7 people's toes at once when a big family came in to cool off and talk to my mom. It was like heaven. I got several belly rubs and lots of petting from that family. They had two boys that looked exactly alike. Mom let them feed me a treat. She taught me to wait until they say OK and then I gently take the treat. The boys really liked that trick and the treat wasn't bad either. 

Time for another nap. Hope more can come out to visit me. I will be back a week from Saturday.

See ya.

Rosie Jo

Saturday started slowly. No visitors to our usually busy tourist information caboose until almost 11am. A gentleman walked into the caboose and started looking around. Rosie Jo was excited to greet her first visitor so I asked if she could come out and greet him. He did not react or respond. I told Rosie Jo to stay in her kennel. His wife came in and I got up to assist them. He told me he was deaf; he could partially vocalize, so I understood. Destiny happened and I pulled out the few signs I had practiced for a job interview last week. I signed "happy to meet you" and signed and spelled out "My name is K-I-M"  Both travelers reacted with amazement and smiled at me.  They started signing and asking about the big furniture store in Omaha.  Now, fate took hold. I grew up in Omaha and knew they were talking about Nebraska Furniture Mart.  I asked them if that was the name and they happily shook their heads.  I went and found a map and highlighted their route to the store.  I told them which exit and which side of the street it was located on.  They signed ''thank you" at least 10 times in a row. Now, the sign for "you are welcome" is a salute; I think I saluted more than most soldiers do in a day. They left happily and I only wish I had learned how to sign "Travel safely"

A lot of travelers want to know if  "Grand Island really an Island?"

The simple answer is "Yes."

I was reading 150: The Commemoration of the sesquicentennial of Hall County, Nebraska published in 2007. The book it describes that long ago there was this big island in the Platte River. Early French fur traders say it extended from east of present day Central City to the west of present day Kearney, somewhere between 40 and 72 miles long. Many channels of the Platte flow down the valley, cutting over, across and through the sandy riverbeds and formed a braided river. Drought, floods, vegetation, animals, human interaction and other factors have changed the flow of the river over time, and have cut the once Grand Island into numerous smaller parts. A few of the more common islands in Hall County are Shoemaker Island, Mormon Island, Elm Island and Indian Island.

Kim and Rosie Jo

Read more about the Grand Island in our FAQs.