We Invite You to Discover Your Nevada

By BRIAN K. KROLICKI | May/June 2012

Photo: Matthew B. Brown (Tonopah Historic Mining Park)

Dear Friends,

On March 1, I had the pleasure of standing with Governor Brian Sandoval as we kicked off the Discover Your Nevada campaign, challenging Nevadans to explore their own state and discover their favorite destinations. Through my travels around the state, I have compiled a list of my own.

One of my favorite “uniquely Nevada” treasures is the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko. For 27 years, this world-class event has attracted visitors from across the state, nation, and world who come together to celebrate rural lifestyles and the West.

A favorite outdoor recreation area of mine is Pyramid Lake, which sits completely within the Pyramid Lake Indian Reservation and is a must-visit for any outdoor enthusiast. The lake offers something for everyone—camping, bird watching, fishing, and boating—and is a perfect place to spend a weekend with friends and family.

One of the newest treasures in Nevada is the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, which links Nevada with Arizona just downstream from Hoover Dam. In October 2010, I had the honor of attending the grand opening of the bridge, the second highest in the United States, towering nearly 900 feet above the Colorado River. The bridge was named in honor of former Nevada Governor Mike O’Callaghan and Pat Tillman, a former Arizona Cardinals defensive back who enlisted in the U.S. Army after the September 11th attacks and was tragically killed in Afghanistan.

The center of the state, and a great place to stop on the drive between Reno and Las Vegas, is home to the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, located at the site of the original mining claim that brought prospectors to the area. The park encompasses more than 100 acres and allows visitors to experience what life was like at a working mine more than a century ago. The eastern side of the state is home to the only national park solely in Nevada—Great Basin National Park.

No trip to the north would be complete without a visit to the Carson City Mint. The U.S. Mint opened the Carson City branch in 1870 to make it easier to mint silver coins using ore that came from Virginia City’s Comstock Lode. The Mint closed in 1893. Coin Press No. 1 is housed in the Nevada State Museum, which hosts a monthly coin-press demonstration.

These are just a few of my favorite treasures in a state that has an abundance of charming locations to discover. I encourage all of you to find your own. For more information about Discover Your Nevada, visit discoveryournevada.com.

Brian K. Krolicki
Lieutenant Governor
Chairman — Nevada Commission on Tourism
ltgov.nv.gov