Celebrate #LoveRuralAm month with us this February.
What do you love about rural America? Is it a rustic barn, a bustling main street, or a lively small town community? How about your local library, a certain shop, or a gravel road?
For me, it’s twofold.
I very much enjoy rural adventures in parks, which include hiking, sightseeing, and picnicking. Bonus if I can bring Abby, my dog.
When I’m out and about, a typical day includes a morning hike, then lunch at a restaurant in a community near a park. While in the town, I have to check out shops and galleries. If there is a local coffee shop, that is on my must-try list. Then, hike or sightsee some more. The evening is capped by a local brewery or restaurant.
The second thing I love about rural America is its rich history.
Sometimes, I just walk the main streets of small towns to look at architecture, murals, and advertisements on the sides of buildings. I stop at historical markers and interpretive boards to learn about the people who live there.
In Lyons, Nebraska, where the Center’s home office is located, the historical marker is located at the city park. I’ve read this marker many times since this is on my usual walking path, and I’m pretty familiar with the history since this town is where I grew up.
The first settlers arrived in the summer of 1866, and Lyons was created as a railroad town. Many of the buildings in town plus the main street are constructed of brick manufactured in a brickyard that was located on the west edge of town. This brickyard began operation in 1878. The old swimming pool was built in the depression from which the clay was taken (a new swimming pool was built a couple of years ago next to this location).
Every small town has its own unique and quite interesting history and I just enjoy it.
Now that I told you what I love about rural America, we want to see your favorites. Share your rural photos and reasons you love rural America on social media with the hashtag #LoveRuralAm throughout the month of February.
Or, email what you love about rural America to outreach@cfra.org, and we’ll share it for you on our social media platforms. We’re on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Middle photo: The brick Main Street in Lyons, Nebraska, at sunrise.
Bottom photo: Rhea and Abby at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in Minnesota along Lake Superior, one of Rhea's favorite rural adventure spots. Cool rural towns up and down the North Shore of Lake Superior. | Photos by Rhea Landholm
