Original views on life from rural America LuAnn Schindler, Publisher

When you think of Colorado, do you envision majestic mountains thrusting toward the heavens? Ski slopes carrying skiers down a slippery path? Clear, cool lakes and wild flowers?

Me, too.

Yet, last weekend as we traveled to Denver for our son's wedding, both Scott and I were disheartened at the amount of trash and debris along the vast stretches of interstate and even within Denver proper.

I cringe here at home, too, when I see beer cans and fast-food bags tossed along the side of the road. This was different. Pieces of furniture broken to bits. A bag someone perhaps forgot on the car's roof, sitting in the middle of the three-lane road. A plastic tote, lid still intact.

And don't even get me started on the lack of mowing on roadside ditches. I know, I know. We Nebraskans are required, by state statute, to mow ditches twice annually. I'm not sure these had been manicured at all.

Otherwise, the trip went well, the wedding was beautiful and definitely included a couple surprises that I'm sure our family will laugh about for years to come.

And, we made to quick trip to historic Black Hawk, one of my favorite spots to visit ... and dropped a few pennies and quarters in the slot machines. Actually, come to think of it, this was the first time I didn't win any money.

I know this much, I breathed a sigh of relief when we crossed back into Husker land and an even bigger sigh of appreciation when we pulled into the driveway, safe and sound.

There's no place like home ... or Nebraska.