Last Few Shots - Reno/Sparks NV, and Surrounding Area, Part X

This is part X of my series of photo blogs detailing my recent trip to the Reno/Sparks area.  These shots were all taken August 1-4 in the Reno/Sparks area.  They didn't really fit in any of the previous blogs and make up the last of the pictures from the trip.

This is the former Fitzgerald's Casino where my Grandmother used to work.  Now it's called Comm Row and  has climbing walls on the outside.  Oh, and that's the Reno Arch in the foreground.

This was the view from our window at the Nugget.

Flowers in my Mom's backyard.

Lockwood area East of Sparks.

Lockwood area.

These dudes were all over!

In case you REALLY got to go!!!!!!

Another of my favorites from the trip.

EXTRA heavy-duty flag poles!!!!!

Sunset in the Sky Ranch area reflecting off the smoke of a nearby forest fire.

This completes my "Reno/Sparks NV, and Surrounding Area" series.  I hope you've enjoyed the shots or at least found something that perked your interest in the area.  Thanks for looking!!

Wild Mustangs Near Sparks (with video) - Reno/Sparks NV, and Surrounding Area, Part IX

This is part IX of my series of photo blogs detailing my recent trip to the Reno/Sparks area. 

On August 2, 2012, we took a drive out near Lockwood, NV, to look for Wild Mustangs.  We came upon these guys partially up a hill and I was able to slowly approach and get this video and some amazing shots!  

Although wild horses are commonly thought to have been introduced to Nevada and other Western states by European explorers and settlers, controversial new evidence (including DNA evidence) has genetically linked the horses we see today to the those roaming the West as far back as 1.5 million years ago! 

I took a video of the mustangs too and posted it on youtube here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRCDWj2XI68  

If you look closely on the hill to the right, you can just make out some more Mustangs.

As we drove away, we found several more Mustangs!  They seemed to be everywhere now!

It's incredible to think these horses just roam freely in the area!!!

Virginia City - Reno/Sparks NV, and Surrounding Area, Part III

This is part three of my series of photo blogs detailing my recent trip to the Reno/Sparks area. 

These shots were all taken the afternoon of August 3 in the Virginia City area. Virginia City sits just up the Geiger Grade Rd. from South Reno, across the valley from Mt. Rose and Lake Tahoe.  It's known as home to multiple silver mines, a real Old West Main Street, several old cemeteries (which I'll post more on later) and for the last 50+ years, the home of yearly camel races.  

(From http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com),  Once a vital settlement between Denver and San Francisco, Virginia City influenced the entire country. During its boomtime, Virginia City's mining proceeds amounted to millions of dollars, equaling billions today. Every inch of this picturesque, Victorian-era town, celebrates this colorful history.

Signs of VC's mining history are everywhere.  There are new mines opening to this day. 

Rommie named this truck "Mater" after the one in Cars.  

Bailey and Rommie goofing off....

This scene was in the window of a candy store.  I thought it appropriate!

I had to pay this old dude $1 to pose for some pictures!  Well, my dad did because I was far too cheap!!!!!

This is a large mound of silver ore serving as a monument to the silver strikes in the area. 

This working train was in the Gold Hill area on the way toward Carson City.

Victorian Ave (B-Street) - Reno/Sparks NV, and Surrounding Area Part II

This is part two of my series of photo blogs detailing my recent trip to the Reno/Sparks area. 

These shots were all taken the afternoon of August 1 in the Downtown Sparks area.  Victorian Avenue as it's now known used to be called 'B' Street.  Several of these pics are from the railroad museum at the corner of Victorian and Pyramid Hwy. 

John Ascuaga's Nugget has been a Sparks staple since 1955 and I have numerous memories of going there as a kid.  Most people know it as the place where the Hells Angels and Vagos squared off last year but I remember it as the place where we saw Bertha and Tina the elephants, ate an Awful Awful hamburger and got to pick our favorite numbers on a Keno ticket each time we went for dinner.  We stayed here this trip and had an awesome time!  

This shadow is in front of the shuttered Carls Silver Club on Victorian across from the Nugget.  

This sign marks the distance from Sparks to main outposts West and East.

Passenger cars at a recreated station.

This old school building was moved to Victorian Ave. in Sparks several years ago.  I remember it used to sit at Kietzke and Virginia St. near the convention center.