Val in Real Life LLC

Tag: camel races

Nevada: What You’re Missing
I admit it—I never gave Nevada more than a passing thought before George requested a birthday geocaching adventure back in 2012. With that trip, limited to the southern part of the Silver State, I had no idea the breadth of what Nevada has to offer. At least until beginning to explore it in earnest a couple of years later. Since then, I’ve criss-crossed the state exploring via car and motorcycle.
And now I’m a resident of the 36th state. As a new Nevadan, and having discovered the virtues of the landscape here, hearing Nevada referred to as “flyover country” is my cue to explain what you’re missing. As much as I love my former home state of Georgia, the vastness to explore here is entirely different. I’m still just scratching the surface here but what I have discovered so far leaves me wanting more.
Great Basin National Park is like the Great Smoky Mountains of the west with unparalleled ecological diversity.
The Nature of Nevada
Most of the state falls within the basin and range province which is characterized by narrow north-south trending mountain ranges with flat valleys in between. This is a result of tectonic extension, pulling the earth’s crust apart. Pretty cool, huh? Even if you’re not a former geologist.
What that geologic activity does for the landscape is create dramatic contrasts in what is the most mountainous state in the lower 48. The elevation in Nevada ranges from 481 feet above sea level to over 13,000. Most of the state falls within the “Great Basin,” the largest desert in North America. In addition to the Great Basin, a small southern portion of Nevada falls within the Mojave desert and the western portion of the state is bounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains, including Lake Tahoe. That means you have everything from alpine ecosystems to pinion-juniper and sagebrush steppe within its massive 110,000 square miles, making it the 7th largest state in the U.S.
In spite of being the driest state in the U.S., Nevada has a multitude of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. Those, combined with the variety of ecosystems means Nevada is filled with wildlife, from antelope to mountain lions, desert tortoise to western diamondbacks, red-tail hawks to sage grouse, as well as wild horses. The list goes on. Of course, much of Nevada is desert and to the casual observer, it might seem a barren wasteland. Hardly! Much of our wildlife lives in the “sagebrush sea,” which is amazingly green in the spring.
Doesn’t sound like a land of desolation, does it?
The iconic wild horses of northern Nevada.
The sagebrush sea meets the Sierra Nevada mountains.
History
Nevada has an eclectic history. The Nevada Territory was carved from the Utah Territory, its statehood coming a few years later as a result of the building tensions over slavery. Nevada’s slogan, “Battle Born,” reflects its birth during the Civil War.
While the Civil War spurred Nevada’s statehood, its history spans the breadth of our understanding of human existence in North America. In fact, the oldest petroglyphs in North America are found in Nevada. And before that, it was home to creatures like mammoths and ichthyosaurs.
Mining is what put Nevada on the map in modern times, though. And along with that boom came the characters who became legends of the wild west, including the likes of Mark Twain and the Pony Express. Not long after that sudden influx followed the railroads needed to serve the demands of mining. That connection cemented Nevada’s place in U.S. history. Sadly, the inevitable busts that accompany mining booms left once-vibrant hubs to fade into the lore of our many ghost towns.
In recent decades, Nevada has become more known for its entertainment and casinos. Yet most of the state is still largely viewed as a wasteland. That perception led others to deem it an ideal location to test powerful weapons. In my mind, that aspect of Nevada’s history was the turning point into the modern wild west. One in which atomic bomb testing, casinos, and brothels co-exist alongside cattle ranching, wild horses, and vast wilderness.
Nevada was nearly uninhabited before the discovery of the Comstock Lode.
Adventure
Over 80 percent of Nevada is public land, largely under the care of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It’s an outdoor adventurer’s paradise. The landscape is highly variable, more so than most people realize. Which is why Nevada gets so overlooked as an adventure destination. For those who embrace Nevada, there are lots of different ways to get your adventure on.
The wide range of elevation, landscapes, and ecosystems provide the framework for every type of outdoor pursuit. You name it, you can likely do it in Nevada. Hiking, climbing, camping, snow sports, water sports, cycling, wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, off-roading, and motorcycling, of course. All of that with spectacular views.
While we have our portion of Lake Tahoe and the adventures that can be had in an alpine setting, adventuring in Nevada does mean embracing the desert. Keep in mind this is high desert or “cold” desert which means nights are surprisingly chilly. Not to worry, we’ve got a multitude of hot springs for you to warm up in, thanks to the geology here.
We do have one national park to claim as our own, Great Basin. The ecosystem and landscape diversity in the park is nothing short of astonishing. And yet it’s the least-visited park in the U.S. in spite of having peaks reaching over 13,000 feet, caves, and a surprising variety of wildlife. The advantage of its remoteness is that we have a breathtaking park without the crowds.
Add in Nevada’s growing state parks system and the opportunity for outdoor adventure of all kinds awaits. Personally, as I’ve gotten to know Nevada, I’ve found the weather to be more volatile than any place I’ve experienced to date. That makes for challenging adventures that make you think ahead.
Nevada hot springs soothe the weary traveler.
Soul-stirring motorcycling will leave you wanting to explore more of Nevada’s expanses.
People and Places
The people of Nevada are fiercely independent. But in a measured way; not with the bluster like Texans proclaiming their superiority. It’s a quiet confidence and friendliness with no need to posture. Maybe it’s the wide open spaces and ruggedness of the state that breeds independence in Nevadans. Living here requires self reliance.
With only a couple of large urban areas and the vastness of the landscape, towns can be pretty sparse in Nevada. That creates a unique and quirky mix of places to embrace history and culture. Explorers, adventurers, and sight-seers have access to an array of experiences: rural ghost towns to top-notch museums, spectacular shows to hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and events spanning the range of the Cowboy Poetry Festival to motorcop competitions and Burning Man to camel races. It’s that kind of breadth that makes Nevada difficult to define. Throw in oddities like the E.T. Highway and Rhyolite and you’ll realize that a sense of humor is alive and well in Nevada.
Racing camels in Virginia City
The town of Belmont is an “almost” ghost town.
Find out more
If you didn’t already notice, I’m quite smitten with Nevada and what it has to offer. I’ve learned the Nevada is a land of extremes and is truly no place for wimps when it comes to the outdoors. When you embrace the ruggedness of this state, you are rewarded with amazing adventures. I hope I’ve convinced you this is no fly-over country.
Having only discovered the wonders of Nevada in recent years, I’m hardly the go-to expert, though. To find out more, head over to the Travel Nevada website. Lots of info from the folks who know where the good stuff is.
Nevada will make you feel small, especially at places like Diana’s Punch Bowl, a vertical-walled hot spring so fierce, it’s not suitable for soaking.
Land of desolation? Think again!

Adventure on, friends!
Until next time, here’s some more Nevada for you.
October 24, 2017
A Camel Walks into a Saloon
It’s another severe clear summer day on the Comstock. I’m at the end of the bar nursing a cold beer. I’ve earned a drink or two to quench my thirst after racing camels all day in the high desert. Gazing out the picture window, I contemplate the vastness of the Nevada desert from the comfort of the dark saloon. On my barstool, safe from the glaring sun outside, I consider the majesty of the rugged landscape. A landscape that pioneers seeking their fortune in precious metals once braved with far less resources than I have at my disposal today.
As I take my next sip of frothy goodness, in strolls a camel. Quite nonchalantly.
Celebrating an unexpected victory at the 57th annual Virginia City Camel and Ostrich races.
The serene late-afternoon atmosphere at the Bucket of Blood Saloon is no more. Patrons fawn over the beast, burying their hands in his soft fur. He doesn’t stay long. It’s already been a long day and he needs to rest up for another round of races tomorrow. He’ll return to C Street and his adoring fans at the saloon tomorrow for another appearance.
This scene might surprise a lot of folks but it’s par for the course in Virginia City, especially after 57 years of camel racing history here. The fact that the saloon in question is an icon of the west, notorious for its bloody past during the mining boom of the mid-1800s, is also the norm.
It’s also a place that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Because here you can race camels. Or ostriches, or zebras for that matter. And it all started as a practical joke by the editor of the Territorial Enterprise, the same publication that gave Mark Twain his start. In an environment as unforgiving as Nevada, having a sense of humor is a must.
I knew I had to be a part of this tradition the moment I learned about it, oddly enough, thanks to a moving truck with a mural of the races emblazoned in its flanks. Three years later, I found myself clinging to a camel’s saddle rail with one hand while pumping my fist in the air as I crossed the finish line, having vanquished my challengers.
Truthfully though, I climbed onto the camel’s back in the rickety starting gate simply hoping I wouldn’t end up dead or injured. Between the warnings of possible death and destruction by the camel handlers and watching riders fall all day, my turn in the final round left me plenty of time to reconsider my life choices.
And now, sitting in the Bucket of Blood, celebrating my unexpected camel-racing victory, I’m utterly taken in with this place. The combination of Virginia City and camel racing is a modern-day twist on the old wild west. The textures of the old buildings, the volatile history, the quirky experiences, and the genuinely friendly locals—this is why I keep coming back.
Want to join in the fun? Get your fill of Virginia City’s Camel and Ostrich Races during this year’s event running from September 8th-10th.
The Bucket of Blood Saloon as dusk falls on Virginia City.

August 14, 2017
Riding in the Virginia City Camel and Ostrich Races
Joe Hedrick wasn’t kidding. Camel racing isn’t for wussies.
That’s what he told us in our introduction at Virginia City’s 57th International Camel and Ostrich Races. Along with my fellow media-types, I listened intently to Joe’s warnings and admonitions to recuse ourselves at any second until the gate opened if we had any doubts.
We laughed nervously at the possibilities for death and dismemberment that Joe assured us were rare but very real. He made certain we were absolutely clear about what we were getting ourselves into before we signed lengthy liability waivers.
This is rodeo level hurt.
Joe Hedrick
No, camel racing is clearly not for wussies.
Camel selfies are more challenging than you’d think! Buddy the camel was not ready for his close up.
What Joe didn’t tell us
Joe then sent us off to ride camels at a walking pace to help us begin to understand what were getting. When my camel handler asked if I was nervous I answered with a confident “No.” Then after a couple of seconds, “Well, not yet.”
Even at a walk, the camel’s lumbering gait throws you forward and backward as well as side to side all at the same time. It’s not at all like the rhythm of a horse’s gait. I’m familiar with that from earlier experiences in English riding and show jumping. No, a camel is a different beast entirely.
Joe told us balance is the key to successful camel riding. So perhaps my motorcycling and yoga would be more useful than my long-past equestrian experience. We were advised to keep both hands on the “saddle” (I use the term loosely) and simply hold on. The other task was to keep our legs forward so we weren’t thrown onto the camel’s hump and left to teeter off the side.
The starting gate looms large. Until you’re six feet up on a camel’s back and you realize part of the starting gate is below your head. Then it feels quite small.
Beyond that, it was a matter of letting the camels do their thing. They know the drill; there’s not much for the rider to do but stay on. The caveat is that the animals sometimes decide to explore the far reaches of the track rather than cross the finish line.
I was scheduled to ride in the last heat of the first day of the races. All day I watched other riders struggle, or fall off, or back out. By the start of my race I was simply hoping to stay on. Winning just wasn’t a priority as I wobbled up into the starting gate in the blazing afternoon sun.
When a former bull rider in an earlier heat commented on the difficulty of staying on the camel, I thought, “Wow, I’m up a creek.” Doubts about my injured leg’s ability began to surface. I’ve come a long way since last year’s life-threatening injury but my leg isn’t what it used to be at all.
At one point I began to think my media pass would instead be a pass to my demise.
Buddy the camel sizing me up. I think he was skeptical.
In the starting gate.
My heat
Before setting us off on our racing adventure Joe introduced the riders in the center of the arena to the crowd. The three of us gave Joe the nutshell version of how we ended up there that day and set off towards the starting gate.
I was the last to mount up so I had the least time to get mentally prepared. For all the instruction we had on how to ride the camels, how to get on them wasn’t explained much other than “Be on or be off, don’t be in between.” Um… ok.
And we’re off… or we hoped we wouldn’t be.
Focused mainly on the actual racing of the camels, I didn’t realize that to get on them, we had to climb up the thin, wobbly starting gate walls with only one foothold along the way. Then balance on the one-inch wide metal wall, swaying in the wind until you attempt to launch yourself onto the camel’s back.
Once I was on my camel—named Georgia, coincidentally—Monty the camel handler put the lead in my hand and told me to duck so I didn’t whack my head on the starting gate. Then he asked me if I was ready. After my less-than-confident “yes” the gates burst open.
The camels jolted through the gates with a burst of energy. After 20 yards or so, all of the camels decided they were more in the mood for a jog or stroll than an all-out race. The rider to my right disappeared from my view as his camel decided to take the scenic route around the track. The rider to my left somehow ended up stalled in front of me at the turn. That’s when I decided to be more than just a passenger. I pulled Georgia’s lead to the left so she wouldn’t take the long way around my stalled competitor. She complied and picked up her pace a little as well.
I was in the lead with winning on my mind.
I couldn’t see the other riders to know if they were on my tail or wandering in the far reaches of the arena. As we approached the finish line at a semi-trot, Georgia began drifting off to the side of the track. I gave her a little verbal encouragement and pulled her lead back to the left to straighten her out. She complied yet again and we triumphantly crossed the finish line.
A camel-hump view of crossing the finish line!
Not only did I stay on, I actually won my heat. I call that a successful day.
I was exhilarated. Until I discovered another unknown detail about camel racing. To dismount I was supposed to just jump off. There was no platform or even a flimsy gate to work with. And it’s a long way down from a camel’s back.
My heart sank. I looked at the ground far below and thought of Frankenleg. “Shit, what do I do?” I thought.
With no other options, I took a deep breath and plummeted off of Georgia’s back, intent on having my good leg take the full force of the jump. It was my Keri Strug moment as I landed with a thud in the soft, thick dirt and stuck the landing on my good leg.
And, just like that, all of the drama and exhilaration of my camel racing experience was over. In less than two minutes.
Joining the International Order of Camel Jockeys seemed as good as anything to add to my growing collection of oddball accomplishments, right?
Adventure on, friends! And see you at the races!
October 25, 2016
Getting to know the Virginia City International Camel and Ostrich Races
When I first visited Virginia City, Nevada two years ago, I arrived just after the conclusion of the annual Virginia City International Camel and Ostrich Races. I enjoyed exploring Virginia City as the town seemed to be taking a huge, post-event collective breath.
But let’s face it — Camel and Ostrich Races! That’s something I knew I had to see. And now I get to. Next week I head back to Virginia City for what should prove to be a singularly entertaining life experience.
When I arrived in Virginia City in 2014, the races had just concluded. The races happen every September after Labor Day.
First, a little background
All of this camel hilarity started, not surprisingly, as a practical joke. The credit goes to Nevada’s first newspaper, the Territorial Enterprise. It has a unique and colorful history dating back to its start in 1858. To give you an idea of the publication’s tone, it was during his stint working for the Territorial Enterprise that Sam Clemens became Mark Twain. The camel races didn’t start until long after Twain’s time, but he was not the only sharp-witted jokester in the paper’s history by a long shot.
The story of the race’s beginnings certainly fits with the legendary city and newspaper’s long wild-west history. Of course, legends are not bound by the facts of history so the details tend to vary a bit depending upon which source you consult.
The condensed story as I’ve gathered is that in 1959, then-editor Bob Richards ran a fictitious news story about camel races as a practical joke. Tall tales and made-up stories were a common occurrence at the Territorial Enterprise so many knew not to take the story seriously. The San Francisco Chronicle picked up the story and, either having fallen for the hoax or to expose it, showed up with a team of camels to race. Not to lose face, Richards made the race happen, a tradition was born, and we now get to reap the benefits.
The shiny new arena for the ever-popular International Camel and Ostrich Races. (Photo courtesy of Virginia City Tourism Commission)
Fifty-Seven years later
The event’s history may be the stuff of legend but even today the races are generating new stories for a modern age. As part of this adventure, I’ll have to opportunity to ride one of these beasts. That will be quite a sight, I’m sure. I’m also really looking forward to watching the professional camel and ostrich racers work their magic.
The event continues to increase in popularity as you can imagine. So in 2015, Virginia City unveiled its new arena to accommodate the ever-growing crowds that throng to see camels, ostriches, and zebras race. Yes, zebras. Just when you think this couldn’t be any more over-the-top!
The races seem to be universally appealing. Everyone I talk to about them asks me countless questions, the last ones usually being “When is it?” and “How do I get tickets?” When I told 13-year-old George what I’d be doing, he said “Ostrich races might be the best thing ever!”
I hope you’ll stay tuned as I bring you all of the excitement, including Val on a camel. I’ve ridden a lot of things in my life but never a camel. I really see no way for this to go except pure comedy. Promise you’ll laugh with me, not at me, ok?
For more information on the races and all of their unique event offerings, head over to Virginia City’s website!
The 2014 Virginia City Camel and Ostrich Races (Photo courtesy of Bad Dog Photography)

August 30, 2016
Virginia City: Historic Nevada Delight
Where do you go after you’ve been to hell and back?
My post-Hell Hike and Raft destination of choice? Virginia City, Nevada.
Last month at the end of my epic Hell Hike and Raft adventure, my crew mates headed back home but I grabbed a rental car and pointed myself towards Nevada and the legendary Virginia City. The good folks at the tourism board helped me get set up to explore the city, its history, and people. And I tell you what, it invigorated me in a way few city destinations have.
Equal parts history and legend, Virginia City deftly straddles the divide between its authentic past and it’s future as a tourism destination. Having risen from the wild west as a mining town, the city has reinvented itself with a dignity many other historic places have not.
The basics…
Nevada as a whole has a rugged, unforgiving reputation. Rightly deserved. It is not a welcoming environment for those looking for comfort and convenience. This is largely a place to find out what you’re made of.
There’s a different rhythm in Virginia City… and it’s fantastic.
As for Virginia City itself, there are luxuries to be had but they are not without the limitations of a town perched at 6,200 feet and only accessible by a few winding mountain roads. Because of the nature of the location as well as the independent spirit of its people, the residents of Virginia City don’t get their feathers ruffled if something goes awry and they don’t operate on the time-frame most of us urban-dwellers subject ourselves to.
A power outage? No complaints, just keep going about your business as best you can until it gets fixed. Operating hours? They’re sometimes more like suggestions. They are subject to change if something comes up. It’s nothing personal and not meant to be a slight if you are inconvenienced, just the reality of living in a place where those kind expectations don’t hold up. Please don’t mistake that mindset for standoffishness. The people of Virginia City were nothing but helpful, friendly, and welcoming but there are different rhythms and social conventions here.
A quiet evening in Virginia City.
Virginia City is the county seat for Storey County.
Once a mining boom-town, Virginia City drew pioneers seeking their fortune in the Comstock Lode.
Town pride in action. Virginia City residents are working on a mural that reflects their history.
Discovering Virginia City…
Virginia City is a visual feast of colors and textures. When I drove in at dusk on a Monday night, I was immediately impressed. Even in the failing light of the day I could tell I was going to be a very busy chick soaking it all in… but I couldn’t stop to admire it right away since my hotel hosts were waiting for me to arrive so they could go home for the night. (As you can see, that Nevadan flexibility about time goes both ways…)
The vibrant colors and textures of Virginia City are matched by the personalities of it’s people.
I slipped into town the day after the conclusion of Virginia City’s International Camel Races. I’d only learned about this wonderfully bizarre event a few months earlier, oddly enough, thanks to one of those graphic murals on the side of a U-Haul trailer. I’d known about Virginia City and its connection to the 60s music scene but learning about the races intrigued me enough to bump it to the top of my travel priority list.
Unfortunately, this year’s camel racing festivities conflicted with the Hell Hike and Raft but I knew I had to check out Virginia City in spite of that. The decision paid off. The town was in recovery mode after such a huge event so I’m really quite thrilled with my timing. In the quiet lull of the post-camel-racing tumult, I was able to walk the streets in the early morning and evening hours with few others to encounter.
I loved the feel of this town asleep. I had to chuckle that my evening strolls came complete with the metallic creak of a sign blowing in the wind as my lone footsteps echoed across the boardwalks, something straight out of a western movie before a duel takes place.
And during the busier mid-day hours, there’s still a good vibe here. With a town like this, where tourism has become a thriving industry after a long history of pioneering and mining, there are a few things that lend a slightly tourist-y feel but it’s mixed with the authenticity of a town with a genuinely rich history. In talking with a few of the town’s residents, I got a great sense of pride and ownership. They truly love their Virginia City. By wandering off the main drag and onto the side streets, you can step into their world and get a feel for the place these folks call home.
Regardless of how you choose to explore Virginia City, by sticking to C Street or getting off the beaten path with activities like geocaching, you won’t find the ubiquitous and familiar franchises. The offerings here are as unique as the people.
If you slow down and take a good look, the details throughout town are a delight to the senses.
Virginia City was a glorious muse for shooting in infrared as well as for geocaching. Yep, there’s one somewhere in this shot…
Things to do in Virginia City…
My approach in visiting any new place is hit the common highlights first to get a basic understanding, then dig deeper. That’s why I’m a fan of stopping into visitor centers as a one-stop shop to sort out my plan of attack. They’re a wealth of information and Virginia City has the added bonus of the Ye Olde Virginia City app for your phone to help you as well.
“Diamond Jim” was my buddy at the Visitor Center. He helped me figure out how to spend my short time in Virginia City.
Virginia City has a lot to offer in terms of different museums and tours to explore. Fortunately, it’s fairly small and highly walkable so it was no problem ditch the rental car at the motel and explore on foot.
There is certainly more to do here than my two-ish days allowed for but I did manage to pack in a lot of activity in that time:
- Silver City Cemetery: I really enjoy soaking up the history contained in cemeteries. This particular one holds no world-renowned historical figures but it does hold the story of Virginia City. On the hillside below town, beautiful wrought-iron gate surround most of the grave sites. Different sections signify the diversity of the pioneers who made the arduous trek to Nevada, seeking their fortune in the Comstock Lode.
Trust me when I say Virginia City is a friendly place. These two were a hoot and in the time I got to chat with them I discovered that Trolley Tour Bill (left) even graduated from high school not far from where I did in South Florida. How’s that for a small world?
- Silver State Peace Officer Museum: This surprise little gem wasn’t initially on my radar. What drew me to it was a geocache. I didn’t need to enter the museum to nab the cache but the host at the desk was so enthusiastic about it, I had to check it out. It proved to be a very interesting and remarkable collection of law enforcement memorobilia and artifacts. They even have a children’s corner where little ones can color and dress up in uniforms.
- The Way it Was Museum: Outwardly, this museum appears to be a cheesy tourist-trap but I was surprised to find a very nice collection of Virginia City artifacts ranging from household items to mining equipment. There’s a video to watch if you care to but the items on display alone are worth the small admission. If you want to be blown away, take the time to ponder the scale model of the mining shafts constructed to mine a portion of the Comstock Lode. Mind boggling. Trust me, that’s coming from a geologist who understands what’s involved here.
The Mark Twain Museum holds some unique treasures. This is a sense of humor I appreciate.
- Mark Twain Museum: This museum is housed in the basement of the original Territorial Enterprise where Mark Twain got his start. It’s filled with the printing equipment used as well as other furniture and various pieces of the time, including his original desk. And the “Mark Twain sat here” toilet? How can you resist?
- Trolley Tour: As an indy traveler, hopping into a tour trolley full of people is usually not my idea of a good time. In this case, however, I got to chat with the hugely entertaining trolley driver, Bill. And the tour was well worth it. I was able to get a quick overview of the history of Virginia City as well as a feel for the lay-of-the-land which was really helpful in figuring out what I wanted to go back to visit on foot.
- Road side historic point on Hwy 341: On the outskirts north of town, this is one of the best roadside historical markers I’ve encountered in my travels. This little stop offers some mining history as well as a very pleasant picnic stop overlooking the Silver State Cemetery.
With only a couple of days to explore Virginia City, I left a lot of museums and attractions unvisited but they include the likes of train tours, ghost tours, mine tours, more museums, and even a wild west show. As you can see, there’s plenty to keep you busy here for many days. And if Fred and George were with me for this trip, I would have counted it as a roadschooling feast. There is a good deal of unique shopping as well but since that’s not my cup-o-tea, I’ll leave that to someone else to detail for you.
I’m certainly late to the game in discovering the fun to be had in Virginia City but now I’m hooked.
Intricate wrought iron and tombstones tell the story of pioneers who came seeking their fortune and never left.
The Silver State National Peace Officers Museum holds and impressive and thought-provoking collection of law enforcement artifacts.
Wildflowers and history greet visitors at this roadside stop on the outskirts of town.
The Way It Was Museum holds a wide array of historic artifacts covering everything from mining to medicine and daily living.
Final thoughts…
Like with any place, how deeply you’d like to explore is up to you. For myself, I knew I was interested in more than a casual passing-through or day-trip that would only allow me to skim the surface of what Virginia City has to offer. My surprise was that my three-night stay wasn’t sufficient to sate my Virginia City appetite. This is a town worth repeat visits to experience various seasonal offerings of festivals and events like the International Camel and Ostrich Races, World Championship Outhouse Races, Christmas on Comstock, and wine tours.
Bring it on, indeed!
Beyond the attractions and events within Virginia City itself that I missed on my visit, there are also nearby places I will be sure to check out next time around including outdoor destinations like Washoe and Dayton State Parks as well as the Lake Tahoe area.
I hope what you’ll take away is, not only that Virginia City is really groovy, but that Nevada is so much more than Las Vegas or Burning Man. I know, I know, I was surprised, too. Nevada wasn’t on my radar as a travel destination either until George decided he wanted to geocache the ET Highway.
If you’ve underestimated Nevada like I have, be sure to take another look and discover the surprises the Silver State and Virginia City have waiting for you. And you don’t have to simply take my word for it, check out these stunning Nevada images.
So count me in to get back soon. This Georgia girl is sold on Virginia City and Nevada. And I still want to see those camels race…
Coming up…
Next up, my take on Virginia City’s food and lodging options. Until then, check out my Virginia City video on YouTube:
And now for your moment of green…
Rethink Nevada… it’s a delight of colors, textures, and opportunities.
October 13, 2014