Just the other (Nevada) side of fabled Lake Tahoe lies a beautiful, wide, scenic valley. Ringed by rugged mountains, snow capped much of the time. Clear blue skies. Full of western history and much as it was over 100 years ago. Pony Express. Emigrant Trail. Hot Springs. Mining towns. Railroads. Saloons. Cattle.

Not a lot of people or development but much outdoor recreation: hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, horse back riding — even world class soaring! And of course, gaming, Nevada style.

With all this available, your most enduring memory will be the serenity of just being there, experiencing the valley’s space between the mountains.

We tried to sample it all, however briefly, during a short visit. Here’s how we went about it.

About Jun03

About

Carson Valley – Where Nevada Began Imagine: to the west, rugged 10,000′ peaks of snow-capped Sierra Nevadas and to the east, the soft Pinenut Mountains. Between them, the tranquil Carson Valley unfolds, broad and green, fed by the Carson River and its tributaries. Before white men...

Day 1 Jun30

Day 1

7 am The Pony Express Re-Ride is going through Carson Valley so we get on the road early to see it. 11:30 am catch Pony Express riders as they go by Genoa Each year National Pony Express Association members ride the Pony Express National Historic Trail to keep the...

Day 2 Jun29

Day 2

Railroad train ride Carson City-Virginia City “Sisters in History” 8 am big breakfast Katie’s Country Kitchen in Carson Valley Inn full and hearty – to our preference 9:15 am arrive Carson City’s Eastgate Depot train station A 25 minute drive from...

Day 3 Jun27

Day 3

8 am another ginormous breakfast Katie’s Country Kitchen Carson Valley Inn Today we order the “special” ham/eggs breakfast and surprisingly get a 1/2″ thick ham slice that covers the entire plate. We noticed other diners consuming the entire platter...

Jun21

To all who helped create this fine experience Fun of Travel  Joseph Cillo Publisher & Editor in Chief  Mary Buttaro Creative & Photo Editor Weidinger Public Relations  Tiara Wasner   Christina Proctor               ...