When not writing, lifelong Nebraskan and US Army veteran Alan J. Bartels works a day job devoted to natural resources conservation. He’s been published in National Geographic, USA Today, Smithsonian’s Air & Space magazine – and was the editor of Nebraska Life Magazine for 11 years while serving simultaneously as the assistant editor of Colorado Life and Utah Life magazines. Alan is the author of What's Going Down in Prairie Dog Town? (2018), 100 Things To Do In The Nebraska Sandhills Before You Die (2023), and the forthcoming tile, Secret Nebraska Sandhills: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure (March 2026).
In 2025 Alan received the Friend of the Byway Award from the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway, and the Friend of Tourism Award from the Nebraska Tourism Commission.
A past governor bestowed Alan with the honorary title of Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska – quite a feat considering Nebraska’s triple landlocked location.
When not writing, lifelong Nebraskan and US Army veteran Alan J. Bartels works a day job devoted to natural resources conservation. He’s been published in National Geographic, USA Today, Smithsonian’s Air & Space magazine – and was the editor...
Where in Nebraska can people explore a Stonehenge-inspired sculpture made from old cars, watch the night sky from one of the darkest places on Earth, float downstream in a livestock water tank through a more-than-century-old cattle ranch, and dive into a bottomless spring that some say is impossible to sink into?
The Sandhills is an approximately...
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Some destinations claim colorful monikers like Big Sky Country, Sportsman’s Paradise, the Sunshine State, Land of Enchantment, or the Last Frontier. The Nebraska Sandhills, which makes up about a quarter of the state of Nebraska, can honestly claim all of that–and a whole lot more. Paddle past more than 200 waterfalls while kayaking the Niobrara...
Read moreJoin author Alan J. Bartels at Plains Trading Company Booksellers in Valentine, Nebraska on April 10 for the OFFICIAL BOOK RELEASE event for his new book, Secret Nebraska Sandhills: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure.
This will be the inaugural event for Plains Trading Co.'s brand new event center!
Plains Trading Company Booksellers is located at 269 N. Main Street in Valentine.
4p.m. - 6 p.m.
The Thomas County Library welcomes Alan J. Bartels, author of Secret Nebraska Sandhills: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, on April 11 at 11:00 a.m. Alan will talk about the new book, show some of his Sandhills photography, and answer questions from the public. The new book will be available for purchase. Alan's previous book, 100 Things To Do In The Nebraska Sandhills Before You Die, will also be available.
Alan LOVES signing books!
Get occasional updates about my upcoming books, photography exhibitions, and other projects.
Order signed books directly from me by emailing 100ThingsSandhills@gmail.com