Exploring the Carson Valley/Nevada

Thursday - „Adventure Day“. Participants of the tourism conference had a choice of several day excursions arranged by Go West, and, we chose the one called „Hidden Gems of the Valley“. The weather was beautiful again, only a bit chilly in the morning, but warming up during the day. In a big bus we were well treated and provided with fresh baking goods and coffee first, before we drove to Carson City, the Capitol of Nevada, about 30 min. away from Reno. Accompanied by an actress/reenactor in historic costume, we explored the architecturally gorgeous neighborhood around the Governor’s Mansion (pic above and below).  

On to the Capitol (below), which everybody can visit without security or vaccination checks. Besides paintings, seals, flags and statues, there is an interesting exhibition on the 2nd floor about the State’s history. 

Possibly the most interesting stop en route was the newly opened Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum nearby Carson City (photos below). Starting at the end of the 19th century the U.S. Government gathered Indian kids (without knowledge or agreement of their parents) to „educate“ them the „right way“. There were in total over 350 such schools in the U.S. and this one - a huge complex of different buildings, e.g. dorms, gyms, dining hall, school etc. - tries to explain with an informative exhibition in the former administrative building, how horrible the Native Americans were treated and how this genocide influences many Native Americans until today. 

Next: a beautiful drive on Hwy. 395 through the Carson Valley, the photo was taken in the bus - with stops in Gardnerville for delicious lunch at TJ’s Basque Restaurant, and on to Genoa, a tiny little town which is considered the oldest town in Nevada and dates back to 1851. Also, the bar (pic below) is considered the oldest, from 1853, and calls itself elegantly a „Thirst Parlor“. The Mormon Station State Park (pic on bottom with wagon) nearby also deals with the early roots of the town and region: a group of Mormons constructed a station to supply settlers on the California Trail with provisions. 

Another famous character in town is the Norwegian Mailman „Snowshoe Thompson“, who delivered mail from Genoa twice weekly over the snowy Sierra Nevada to California on skiis. Lake Tahoe (in NV and CA) is directly situated beyond the mountain chain seen on pics. So close, but couldn’t go there to visit. Daniel’s was our last stop in the tiny, pitturesque town, a fine dining restaurant with a new bar, where we got drinks served. What a nice end of an interesting and sunny day.