The Great Plains Bunk House

06/18/2026

Many of you know us through The Great Plains Bunk House. What began as a family dream to create a place of hospitality and share the beauty of the Great Plains has also become a place where we’ve shared many of the things we love most—animals, wildlife, gardening, practical life skills, dark skies, nature, and the unique heritage of prairie living.

Over the years, many of you have followed along as we’ve shared those passions, and today we’re excited to share how all of those pieces are coming together.

We’re proud to officially introduce Prairie Life Learning Initiative Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, conservation, and community here on the Great Plains.

If you’ve followed this page for very long, you’ve probably noticed that we love sharing the things we’re passionate about—whether that’s caring for animals, identifying birds, growing a garden, preserving food, learning practical skills, exploring the night sky, or simply appreciating the beauty of the prairie.

Over time, we realized all of these interests and experiences were connected. They weren’t just hobbies or things we enjoyed sharing—they were pieces of a larger vision. That realization eventually led to the creation of Prairie Life Learning Initiative Foundation.

Our goal isn’t simply to teach information—it’s to create experiences that inspire curiosity, stewardship, compassion, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

Our hope is to create opportunities for people to connect with the land, the animals, and the practical skills that have shaped life on the prairie for generations. Through hands-on workshops, educational programs, community events, and online resources, we hope to inspire confidence, learning, and a deeper appreciation for the world around us.

We envision families, homeschool groups, guests, and community members having opportunities to learn together—whether that’s through practical life skills, conservation education, wildlife experiences, agriculture, nature exploration, or even dark sky education.

Whether someone visits for a weekend at the Bunk House, attends a workshop, follows along online, or uses one of our educational resources at home, our hope is that they leave with a greater appreciation for the Great Plains, the natural world, and the practical skills that connect us to both.

In addition to workshops and in-person learning opportunities, we will also be creating educational resources that families can access from anywhere. We plan to share educational content through the Great Plains Bunk House page, our website, and books and learning materials available on Amazon, making it possible for people to continue learning long after they leave the property.

One of the most exciting parts of this journey is that we are now an officially licensed Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, serving our county and surrounding communities.

Wildlife rehabilitation provides temporary care for injured, orphaned, and displaced native wildlife with the goal of returning healthy animals to their natural habitats whenever possible. In rural areas like ours, those resources can be limited, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to help fill that need.

To us, wildlife rehabilitation isn’t separate from this mission—it fits perfectly alongside it. It provides opportunities to care, to learn, and to develop a deeper appreciation for the wildlife that shares our prairie home.

Many of you may not know that our family recently moved on-site at The Great Plains Bunk House. This move allows us to be more available to our guests, care for wildlife around the clock, and continue developing the educational opportunities we envision for both the Foundation and the Bunk House.

The Great Plains Bunk House will always remain a place of hospitality, rest, and connection. At the same time, it provides a beautiful setting where people can learn, explore, and experience prairie life firsthand.

We believe some of life’s most valuable lessons happen outside the classroom—while caring for an animal, planting a garden, watching a sunset, identifying a bird, learning a practical skill, or standing beneath a sky full of stars.

We’re also incredibly grateful for the individuals who have agreed to help guide this mission as members of the Prairie Life Learning Initiative Foundation Board of Directors:

• Lindsey Cortese – President
Providing leadership, overseeing daily operations, and guiding the Foundation’s vision and educational programming.

• Arron Cortese – Vice President
Supporting operations, facilities, agricultural initiatives, and hands-on project development.

• Jennifer Adee – Secretary & Compliance Officer
Helping maintain organizational records and ensure nonprofit compliance and accountability.

• Talisha Valdez – Education Overseer
Providing guidance and oversight for educational content and learning opportunities.

• Jarod Allen – Farm & Ranch Practices and Heritage Advisor
Sharing insight into agriculture, ranching traditions, practical skills, and the heritage that has shaped life on the Great Plains.

We certainly don’t have all the answers, and we’re sure there will be plenty to learn along the way. But we have a vision and a dream and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Whether you’re a guest at the Bunk House, a volunteer, a supporter, a community member, or simply someone who enjoys following along, we’re grateful you’re here.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We can’t wait to see where it leads.

Above all, we thank God for this opportunity and pray that He will always be honored as the Creator of the land, the wildlife, and the incredible world around us.

Prairie Life Learning Initiative Foundation
Learning from the land. Sharing its story.

06/01/2026

One of my new favorite apps is Merlin.

It allows you to record the birds around you, and in real time it identifies each species by sound. As a bird sings, its name on the screen turns yellow so you know exactly which bird you’re hearing at that moment.
This evening I sat by the pond at The Great Plains Bunk House for about 10 minutes and listened. These were the beautiful birds that graced me with their presence and songs.
What I find especially fascinating is how different the bird activity is depending on the time of day. The birds I heard this evening weren’t exactly the same birds I heard this morning or in the middle of the afternoon. It reminds me that nature is constantly changing, even when we’re standing in the same spot.
I think even if you’re not a huge bird enthusiast, you would find this fascinating. It’s amazing how much life and beauty surrounds us every day when we simply slow down long enough to notice it.
Nature has a way of reminding us that some of God’s greatest masterpieces aren’t found in museums—they’re right outside our door.

Which birds do you notice most often where you live?

05/18/2026

Years ago, I had a vision… that one day the pile of rubble we now call The Great Plains Bunk House would be enjoyed by people, travelers, star gazers, and those seeking quiet, nature, and simplicity. People who would appreciate the history, the hard work, and the unique themes woven into each room.

Most people thought I was crazy. First, how could old broom corn johnnies that had sat abandoned for years ever become a place people would want to stay? And second… why would anyone want to stay in the middle of nowhere?

But we believed this place was meant to be shared. We believed our way of life, the dirt roads, the dark skies, the quiet prairie sunsets, would not only be visited, but deeply appreciated by people from all over the world.

Today, 12 years later, that vision has become reality. We now host guests from near and far who often leave as friends.

This photo was taken last night by guests staying here at the Bunkhouse. Moments like this remind us that dreams really do come true. And sometimes… they keep growing.

What started as restoring a forgotten place has slowly grown into something even bigger than we imagined. We are now beginning the next chapter through Prairie Life Learning Initiative, a nonprofit focused on education, nature, prairie life, agriculture, dark skies, and giving children and families opportunities to reconnect with the land, creativity, and simple living.

Turns out, the middle of nowhere was exactly where this story was meant to begin. 🤍

Photo by: Bobby Ford
LuShane Maness Parker Lee Maness Lindsey Maness Cortese

05/06/2026

Out here on the Great Plains, you never know what’s going to come down the dirt road next.

One of the best parts of running The Great Plains Bunk House is meeting people from all walks of life—and seeing the incredible, creative, and downright unforgettable vehicles they travel in. From classic rigs and adventure builds to one-of-a-kind creations like this, every guest brings a story with them.

We’ve met travelers, dreamers, builders, stargazers, road-trippers, and families making memories together. And honestly, we wouldn’t trade it for anything.

There’s something special about a place where strangers gather under big skies, swap stories around a fire, and leave as friends.

To everyone who has made their way down our dirt road: thank you for making this little place in the Oklahoma Panhandle so interesting and full of life.

04/24/2026

04/09/2026

Pat has stayed with us several times over the years and he brings friend 🙌🏻
Always a great time!
TAT season is fun!