Nevada

Vintage postcard of MGM Grand Hotel in Reno

When most people think of Nevada, the first thing that comes to mind is Las Vegas or Reno, the two cities that showcase casinos, magnificent hotels and exciting shows.  There is something about the constant “ding, ding, ding” of the slot machines that makes you want to try your luck.  There are some other really nifty places in Nevada even though these two cities may be the most famous. 

   

Vintage card The Mint Casino,  Las Vegas

 Almost 95% of the people in Nevada live in the general areas around Reno, Sparks, Carson City (the capitol city) and Las Vegas.  The vast majority of the state is unchanged from pioneer days with few people over a very large state.  Cattle and sheep are raised and the mining of silver, gold and other minerals are still a part of the state’s economy.

Vintage card of the Hoover Dam

 

Lake Mead National Recreation Area has become a popular tourist destination.  It was formed by the creation of the Hoover Dam in the 1930s.  House boat rentals are available and the views are spectacular.  Tahoe is another popular destination, especially for winter sports, with several resorts in the area.  Nevada has a number of other ski resorts including Squaw Valley where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held.

 

To explore Nevada is to see what the Native Americans, original settlers, miners and cowboys saw. It is a high altitude state and the driest in the country. There are almost 200 mountain peaks (second only to Alaska in the US) with high desert valleys between the mountain ranges,   Almost 80% of the land in Nevada is still owned by the US Government.  Settlers preferred land that could be farmed and so few homesteads were requested or granted.  Settlement of the territory only arrived with the discovery of silver and gold.  

Vintage card of Virginia City, Nevada

There are ghost towns and mines to tour.  For those who want to climb, ski, snowboard, hike or bike, Nevada has an abundance of “outdoors”.  There are two National Parks along with almost 70 wilderness areas or parks.  Death Valley National Park is divided between California and Nevada with many interesting places to explore.  The Great Basin National Park also includes the Lehman Caves which have some rare cave formations that appear to defy gravity.

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Where else can you travel on the Extraterrestrial Highway but in Nevada?  It is state highway 365 and runs near Area 51, the “Top Secret” nuclear testing site.  Rumors of “aliens” are plentiful.  Steam engine train rides, theme parks, local arts and crafts, historic old towns in addition to all those casinos – this is Nevada. 

Websites include both http://www.travelnevada.com and http://www.vegas.com .  Check these sites out to find the places you like best.  

At left is a vintage postcard of the Silver Queen painting.  It is adorned with silver dollars, a tribute to the Silver Mining Industry.   Virginia City, Nevada