Spring 2024

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Spring is busting out all over and it starts at the Yellow Petal Flower Farm in Fallon, our latest Uncommon Overnighter. There’s no more beautiful way to welcome the season than with a stay at this working flower farm. It’s also a great time to visit southern Nevada and its perfect seasonal temperatures, and we’ve got a few stories to help plan that trip. First, grab your binoculars and head to the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness to discover a wonderful birding opportunity. For those who love to climb, we’ll share with you some super southern spots for rock climbing, and we’ll also tempt you with one of the area’s best barbecue joints. We have a fantastic feature on the Tuscarora Pottery School, and if you’ve never heard of it, be prepared to plan a trip once you read our story. A couple of intrepid coworkers took a road trip to and along the ET Highway, and we have their delightful story—complete with paranormal twists and turns—for your enjoyment.

What’s Inside

Rural Wranglers: Tonopah

Located halfway between Las Vegas and Reno, Tonopah is a welcome stop for road-weary travelers. But this old mountain town is no mere rest stop. Tonopah is the perfect weekend getaway to wander Sahara-like dunes, dine in luxurious haunted hotels, and take in some of the darkest skies around. ... read more

Washoe Lake State Park

Nestled within one of Nevada’s most picturesque valleys, Washoe Lake State Park is a picture-perfect basecamp for exploring the Reno-Tahoe area. From the towering peaks of the Sierra Nevada to piney foothills and lush meadows, the park and surrounding landscape provide limitless outdoor fun. In addition, its location 30 minutes from the state’s oldest settlements—Virginia City, Genoa, Reno, and Carson City—places it at the center of Silver State history. ... read more

The Sagebrush School

In 1861, Samuel Clemens left his home in Missouri to adventure in the American West. In Carson City, he became obsessed with finding gold and spent 11 months galivanting across the desert. When he ran out of money, Clemens moved to Virginia City to be a newspaper reporter for the “Territorial Enterprise.” Three years later, he left Nevada with bright prospects and a brand-new pen name—Mark Twain. ... read more

Exploring the Extraterrestrial Highway

It started as a joke. Or maybe more of a bad pun. “A Rachel in Rachel, Nevada.” Unexpectedly, the little quip snowballed. “Ali at the Little Ali-Inn,” playing off the legendary Little A’Le’Inn near Area 51. Before we knew it, the two of us were packing up the car, topping off the gas tank, and departing Carson City. Bound for the Extraterrestrial Highway, we were ready for a true Nevada road trip. ... read more

Getting Home Safely

Picture a beautiful day where the sun shines, uninterrupted views unfold one after the other, and the destination is second to the journey. I’ve been lucky enough to encounter many days like this during my travels across Nevada. But I’ve also encountered impassable roads, wrong turns that led to dangerous conditions, mud that acts like glue in tire wheels, snow that dumps quickly…you get the idea. The best laid plans are no match for Nevada’s capricious weather or a well-hidden hazard that leaves not one but two of your tires flat. Despite potential hardships, Nevada’s 48 million acres of public land beg to be explored, and with a solid plan and plenty of supplies, there’s no reason to ignore those wide-open spaces. ... read more

Tuscarora

In 1962, a Washington D.C.-based potter named Dennis Parks stopped in Tuscarora during a cross country road trip. He had heard about the remote Nevada community—located an hour north of Elko—from a friend who had recommended it as the perfect artist retreat. Upon arrival, he found what looked be a ghost town of crumbling brick chimneys and weathered homesteads. ... read more

Gettin' Saucy

The origin of barbecue in America has been oft debated, with the South claiming dominion over the tasty style of cooking meat and even how it’s seasoned, but one thing is for sure: Barbecue is as close to being our national food as apple pie. Every state, heck, every restaurant puts its own spin on grilling, smoking, and slow cooking tasty cuts of meat, and Nevada’s barbecue restaurants are no different. You’d be hard pressed to travel to any city and not find barbecue on the menu, but we’ve got a sample of the delicious delights that await your visit. ... read more

Uncommon Overnighter: Yellow Petal Flower Farm

Just an hour east of Reno on U.S. Route 50—you might know it by its nickname, the Loneliest Road in America—is the town of Fallon. It, too, has a nickname, thanks to its nearby naval air station: Top Gun. Pilots come to this small town to hone their aviation skills. Tucked just 10 minutes outside of town is the Yellow Petal Flower Farm, which has no other name but would still be as sweet if it did. ... read more

Birding Among The Ancient Ones

Scaly Joshua trees sweep by in shades of brown, green, and gold on the route to the Wee Thump Joshua Tree Wilderness, now part of the 500,000-acre Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. Located west of Searchlight on State Highway 164, this hushed landscape gently slopes down from the base of the McCullough Range. At 6,050 acres, the wilderness provides critical habitat for many species of plants and animals, including more than 100 species of birds. ... read more

Rock On

The past decade has seen a massive rise in rock climbing popularity, and for good reason. The sport is relatively inexpensive, it promotes outdoor exploration, and it’s a perfect excuse to get in shape. It’s also a great mental workout, requiring climbers to think critically as they move their bodies in and out of compromising positions. To enjoy the sport, there’s no better place than the Silver State. Not only is Nevada home to popular climbing meccas like Red Rock Canyon, its public lands beckon advanced climbers with hundreds of mountain ranges. If you’re new to climbing or want to brush up on your skills, both of our major cities offer world-class climbing gyms. ... read more

Rock Hounding Roundup

Millions of years of geological activity have made Nevada the perfect place for mining gold and other precious minerals. They have also formed countless rockhounding sites loaded with unimaginable diversity. Getting down—and maybe dirty—in the hills of Nevada is one of the easiest, least expensive, and most rewarding pastimes you’ll ever find. ... read more

The Final Word: Krysta Palmer

Our conversation with Nevada-born Olympian Krysta Palmer, who won the bronze medal in the 3-meter Women’s Springboard at the Olympic Games in 2020. ... read more