This Week >> 12/04/2008
This week Susi and Michael go from Reno for some "down-home grub," to Lake Tahoe, "where the boys are," to Carson City, the state's capital, to Virginia City, "where the gold was," and back to our home base at the Grand Sierra Lodge in Reno where we learn about gambling and when to "hold 'em."
To view the Official Visitors and Vacation site for Reno
and Lake Tahoe, click here
Where We'll Be Exploring
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the State of Nevada. Its population was 52,457 at the 2000 census. Carson City is now an independent city and is its own Metropolitan Statistical Area. Like many towns in Nevada, Carson City was founded in the early boom days of mining. A center of silver mining, Carson City was the county seat of the former Ormsby County and was named for explorer Kit Carson.
Carson City has the distinction of being the smallest of the 363 Metropolitan Statistical Areas as designated by the United States Census Bureau (as of July 1, 2007).
The largest nearby city to Carson City is Reno, about 30 miles (48 km) to the north. Carson City is one of only two capital cities in the United States that borders another state (the far western edge of Carson City borders California); the other is Trenton, New Jersey (bordering Pennsylvania). Alaska's capital city, Juneau, borders British Columbia, Canada.
Virginia City is an unincorporated community that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada, United States. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is one of the oldest established cities in Nevada. Like many cities and towns in the state, Virginia City was a mining boomtown; in fact it is one of the most famous boomtowns in the Old West as it virtually appeared overnight as a result of the Comstock Lode silver strike of 1859. During its peak, Virginia City had a population of nearly 30,000 residents. When the Comstock Lode ended in 1898, the city's population declined sharply.
Adolph Sutro built the Sutro Tunnel in support of the mining operations. Conceived in 1860, it wasn't completed until many years later, after much of the silver mining had already been completed. From its creation in 1859 to 1875, there were five widespread fires. The 1875 fire, dubbed the Great Fire of 1875, caused $12,000,000 in damages. Virginia City was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961. This in effect created a Virginia City Historic District.
Today, Virginia City is but a shadow of its former glory, however, it still draws over 2 million visitors per year. It is one of the nation's larger National Historic Landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Keeping with tradition, Virginia City does not have any chain stores or fast food restaurants.
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. A 2006 estimate indicated that the city's population had increased to 210,255, but ranked Reno as the fourth largest city in the state following Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Reno lies 26 miles (42 km) north of the Nevada state capital, Carson City, and 22 miles (35 km) northeast of Lake Tahoe in a shrub-steppe. The area of Western Nevada and the California Sierra Nevada anchored by Reno has a population of approximately 700,000 people. Reno shares its eastern border with the city of Sparks and is the larger of the principal cities of the Reno-Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), a metropolitan area that covers Storey and Washoe counties. The MSA had a combined population of 342,885 at the 2000 census. The MSA is combined with the Fernley Micropolitan Statistical Area to form the Reno-Sparks-Fernley Combined Statistical Area, which had a total population of 377,386 at the 2000 census.
Reno, known as "The Biggest Little City in the World", is famous for its casinos, and is the birthplace of the gaming corporation Harrah's Entertainment.
To hear more about Reno, Nevada, click here
While in Reno we stayed at the Grand Sierra Resort. Also be sure to check out Daughters Cafe, a great restaurant!
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada mountains of the United States. It is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City, Nevada. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is 1,645 ft (501 m) making it America's second-deepest.
The lake was formed about 2 million years ago and is a part of the Lake Tahoe Basin with the modern Lake being shaped during the Ice Ages. The lake is known for the clarity of its water and the panorama of surrounding mountains on all sides. The area surrounding the lake is also referred to as Lake Tahoe, or simply Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction for both California and Nevada. It is home to a number of ski resorts, summer outdoor recreation, and tourist attractions. Snow and skiing are a significant part of the area's economy and reputation. Mountain and lake scenery are attractions throughout the year. The Nevada side also includes large casinos. Highways provide year-round access from Reno, Carson City and Sacramento.
While in Lake Tahoe we stayed at the Cal/Neva Resort
Guests
Barbara Mackey, Executive Director
Historic Fourth Ward School Museum
537 South "C" Street
P.O. Box 4
Virginia City, NV 89440
Tel: (775) 847-0975
www.fourthwardschool.org/ic
Barbara Mackey is the Executive Director at the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in Virginia City, Nevada. Prior to accepting the position in 2001, Barbara worked as a historic archaeologist for cultural resource management firms and the National Forest Service in Nevada and Northern California. Before receiving a masters of arts degree in anthropology from UNR, she was a public school teacher and owned a retail business. These former "lives" have proven useful in the management of the diverse operations and restoration of the school building, an irreplaceable national treasure. She also serves as the President of the Nevada Museums Association.
About the Museum
To mission of the Fourth Ward Museum is to connect people to the relevance and importance of the Comstock story through its authentic preservation, interpretive exhibits and programs, and archival resources.
Stewardship of History through the Historic Fourth Ward School Preserving history is important as a connection with others through a shared heritage for understanding the present and as a gift for the future. The preservation of FWS, a National Treasure and centennial monument to public education, is important in the social, cultural, and economic life of the local, regional, and national community. FWS is the embodiment of the entrepreneurial spirit that built this nation.
Barb Giacomini, Chef
Daughters Cafe
97 Bell Street
Reno, Nevada 89503
Tel: (775) 324-3447
www.daughterscafe.com
From Barb:
I earned a Bachelors and Masters degree in anthropology while raising my three children...it took me 14 years! I worked as an archaeologist for 20 years enjoying projects such as my specialty, Cypriot Byzantine Medieval burials; I led surveys of the entire property of both Camp Pendleton and Marine Corp Air Station Miramar; I aided the First Marine Division in planning and executing a three-year training that prepared them for combat in Iraq. More recently, I wrote stormwater management plans for two Navy bases in California, a repair manual update for aeronautical antennae, and a clean up plan for torpedo fuel on Point Loma, San Diego. Three years ago, I quit my job and followed my grandchildren to Reno. I bought an enchanting abandoned Victorian home in the historic river district downtown and renovated it into a cafe named for my daughters, my mother, my grandmothers, my darling grandaughters. Everyday, I cook and serve the homemade food I grew up enjoying---and love how lucky I am!
A recipe from Barb:
Dutch Baby (my children's birthday breakfast)
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup flour
2 Tblsp butter
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
Place butter in a 12 inch non-stick ovenproof frying pan and set in oven for about 1 minute
Blend eggs in a blender for 1 minute
KEEP BLENDER ON and slowly add the milk; blend for about 30 seconds
KEEP BLENDER ON and sprinkle the flour into the liquid; blend for 30 seconds
Pour the mixture into the center of the melted butter in the pan and place back in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Check occasionally; the Dutch Baby will be golden and crisp on top when done. Remove from oven, drizzle melted butter on top, sprinkle powdered sugar and squeeze 1/4 - 1/2 lemon over the top. Serves 2-4
Pictures
Below are some photographs of our journey
(Click to enlarge)
