Look up! If it’s nightime, that faint band of light stretching from horizon to horizon is the Milky Way Galaxy, of which our little planet is a part. The Milky Way is not easy to see from Reno, or any city where artificial light interferes with the view, but Nevada has plenty of places where the stars shine unimpeded. Here’s a look at few — and they’re pretty cool in the day, too! Continue reading “Wish upon a star: Nevada’s night skies”
Fly the coop this January: Look for eagles (and other raptors) in Genoa
Birding in Nevada generally centers around areas with water or marshland, but in the Carson Valley, about 50 miles south of Reno, birds are drawn to ranches. If we’re getting really real, the draw is afterbirth from the winter calving season. Raptors — eagles, hawks and falcons — visit the area to feed during the months of January and February. Continue reading “Fly the coop this January: Look for eagles (and other raptors) in Genoa”
Day trip to the Black Rock Desert
Millennia ago, it was the bed of Lake Lahontan, which covered 8,610 square miles of western Nevada. Today, it’s the stunning, massive Black Rock Desert, a smooth expanse of silty, buff-colored playa that provides the foundation for the annual Burning Man festival (which wrapped up earlier this month), as well as such lesser-known activities as model rocket launches and land sailing.
The Loneliest Road in America: Five stops along U.S. 50 in Nevada
Thirty years ago this month, Life magazine published its America the Wondrous issue, which referred to U.S 50 in Nevada as the Loneliest Road in America.
Readers were warned not to travel the 287-mile route unless they possessed survival skills.
It wasn’t exactly a rousing endorsement, but the state of Nevada, ever resourceful, developed a travel campaign around it.
Continue reading “The Loneliest Road in America: Five stops along U.S. 50 in Nevada”
Wildflowers and zombies
Recently, I took a few bloggers, social media influencers and a newspaper reporter on a trip through rural Nevada (From Reno to Ely via U.S. 50 — also known as “the Loneliest Road in America,” — and then to Elko and back to Reno via Interstate 80). I was impressed with their creativity, stamina and the content (videos, photos and more) that they produced. It kind of got me interested in creating my own videos. So I’ve been messing around with Moviemaker, filming Jack and myself on our weekend adventures. Here’s my second attempt: http://bit.ly/231QifT
Ghost towns: three abandoned Nevada towns to check out
A Nevada road trip usually includes a ghost town, by design or by accident. The state has more than 600, according to my colleagues at Nevada Magazine, so it may be impossible to drive any distance in Nevada and not see a ghost town.
This is a plus. You’re seeing the remnants of people’s hopes and hard work in those abandoned brick buildings and crumbling stone fireplaces. You’re seeing part of the story of the American West.
Continue reading “Ghost towns: three abandoned Nevada towns to check out”
Get schooled: three day trips from Reno that involve old schoolhouses
Everyone loves day trips. Not so much schoolhouses.
Blame it on the general lack of awareness of Nevada’s amazing old schools. Because if there’s any reason to drive miles into rural Nevada, it’s these historical beauties.
Continue reading “Get schooled: three day trips from Reno that involve old schoolhouses”
Grab that pickaxe: Three places to go rock hounding in Nevada
Before it was known as the place for quickie divorces, legalized gambling and the Las Vegas Strip, Nevada was about mining. In 1859, before Nevada was even a state, gold and silver was discovered in Six Mile Canyon, near what would become Virginia City, opening an era of silver mining and mining in general. Mining continues today in areas such as Elko and Carlin, home to some of the world’s top-producing gold mines.
Enough history. It makes you want to grab a pickaxe and hit something.
Luckily, you can: there are three places to rock hound in Nevada, and most of them will open for the season this spring.
Continue reading “Grab that pickaxe: Three places to go rock hounding in Nevada”
Spring fever: Five things to do and see outside of Reno
Winter’s not done yet, but this recent spate of sunny, spring-like days have caused the tulip bulbs in my yard to sprout. The warm temps also bring to mind road trips, hiking and hot springs. In a nod to the upcoming season, here are five places outside of Reno with the word “spring” in the name. Continue reading “Spring fever: Five things to do and see outside of Reno”
Warm Up: Five Things to Do and See in Nevada
Reno has been experiencing a winter this year — thanks El Nino! — a welcome change from the last few years of drought and higher-than-average temperatures. Still, gray skies and cold conditions can bring on a case of the winter blues. Luckily, a cure can be found right here in the Silver State. To warm up, head for one of these southern Nevada destinations:
Continue reading “Warm Up: Five Things to Do and See in Nevada”
Chris in Nevada 