I've driven by this Ranger District Office several times without paying it much mind, other than…read morenoting that its location being in "The City". I also wondered recently whether Federal budget cuts would take their toll here. I stopped in today to buy a Lifetime Senior National Parks pass. It was only $80 and the friendly guy at the counter was more than happy to run the transaction. While I was waiting, I couldn't help but admire the huge selection of area "outdoors" books, maps, and gifts. It's also a nice information desk for an area that has a lot to offer.

I went here today, Wednesday, April 12, 2019. I have driven past here many times, but never stopped…read morein. I was very pleased with my experience here. It is an office that has an information desk and a small gift shop, similar to a chamber of commerce. Some of the maps and brochures are free. They sell mostly books about the national forests, as well as some clothing, mugs, and teddy bears. The office was empty when I arrived, but a gentleman came out and greeted me. He said they are the U.S. Forest Service, with is a branch of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). He kindly explained that they are different from the National Parks System (NPS), which is a branch of the U.S. Department of the Interior, but they do have national parks information here, as a courtesy. He must get these questions a lot, as many tourists pass through here. I asked him about this, and he said their busy season begins now. I also saw the fire advisory sign out front, so I asked him why they are now called "wild fires". When I was a child in the 70's, they were called "forest fires", and Smokey Bear used to give warnings: "only YOU can prevent forest fires". He explained that they sometimes also have grass fires on their lands, so they changed the term. I also asked where their district's boundaries are, and he said they control the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest along the California-Nevada border, from the Dog Valley northwest of Reno, to Alpine County in California, an area about 15 miles wide and 100 miles long. I said I would look the U.S. Forest Service up online to learn more about them, and the employee kindly gave me a brochure which explains everything. They have maps and other tourist information outside, as well as a boot cleaner by the door. Parking was easy, right in front.

We have been on a quest to visit all the state capitol buildings. This Nevada one was our 28th. I…read morealways enjoy the history of the area and the structure itself. This building was more museum like and less active use than others we have been to. They had several other buildings on the grounds where the assembly, senate, and state supreme court are actively working. The governor's office was still in the original main building. They had some nice museum displays that we walked through on our self guided tour. We came on a weekday and were able to walk through most every area of the building. The original rooms for the assembly, senate, and supreme court were preserved to be as they may have been in their early days of use. There was a lot of wood accents throughout the foyer area on the staircases and trim. The outside grounds had some monuments and statues to see, and a lot of lush green trees around the building. We could not get a photo of the exterior of the building with the dome due to the heavy tree cover. There was a scale model in the museum that shows what the structure looks like so we got an idea of the size and configuration. If in town, I'd recommend making this stop to experience the heart of US history.

We were in Lake Tahoe for the weekend and decided to visit the State Capitol on a rainy day. We…read morehad been to several other State Capitol buildings and had even toured several of them. Admission here is free and there was not really a tour so we wandered around on our own. The hallways have large portraits of prior Governors. The office of the current Governor and the Secretary of State are also located on the first floor. The second floor has the Supreme Court and the Assembly, as well as a very informative museum about the history of Nevada. It is not a very large building so you can get through it all in about thirty minutes.

Carson City and the Carson River that goes through the city are named after Kit Carson who explored…read morethe area and found a new route across the Sierras with John C. Fremont. Also referred to as the "Daniel Boone of the West," Christopher Houston Carson was a fur trapper, wilderness guide, Indian agent, and U.S. Army officer. He became a frontier legend in his own lifetime through biographies and news articles, and exaggerated versions of his exploits that were the subject of dime novels. I know all of that from visiting his home and museum in Taos NM https://www.yelp.com/biz/kit-carson-home-and-museum-taos?hrid=PkZ27jVvIExwkVMgK7tySA. The statue shows Carson on horseback. It also includes maps of Nevada showing his various travels through the state. The marker below reads, "It was in the winter of 1843 - 1844 when Kit Carson, along with the John C. Fremont expedition worked his way south from Pyramid Lake looking for an easy route across the Sierra Nevada. Carson, depicted here, tracking his way through the mountains east of this location, was considered one of the best mountain men of the day. His name is still synonymous with the wide-open spaces and lore of the American west, an image we still cherish as part of our freedom and heritage. It is the spirit and love of the West that we honor with this statue." [Review 17691 overall - 37 in Nevada - 1212 of 2022.]

What a cute little (and I really mean little) town. Although Genoa has a much larger residential…read morearea than the town itself, the town consist of a few shops, restaurants, town hall, museum and park in the "town" area. A quaint little place to stop on our way to Walley's Hotsprings.

It's was awesome and relaxing. A lot of exiting photos as well. I Absolutely love this app!read more

We took our grandson to the children's story time today. The book they was read was about two kings…read moreand multiple marriages. Then the play time was dump a bin of balls out on the floor for playtime. No structure play time. Luckily we were there to filter the content and do structure playtime. I would avoid.

Ya know, most city public works departments as responsive as any gov't agency ... like we'll get to…read moreit when we get to it, whatever your problem is. Well, this review is for the Public Works Street Maintenance Dept. They really do get on problems if you just let them know what it is and it's a real hazard. Example, there was a huge pot hole in the neighborhood that need fixing. I called in and it was fixed in a day. But my latest call was for a big pile of glass in the street that was causing a real hazard. Called in at 8am and by 8:15 (15 min later) there was a sweeper running up the street cleaning up the glass .... dang 15 min response time! Now, that service .... that would never happen in a big city like LA or SF.

I went here today, Tuesday, May 28, 2019. I was planning to go to Carson City Parks & Recreation,…read morebut my GPS led me here, so I went in to ask for the location. I was very happy. It was a nice office with two sets of doors in the entryway; and with a large, modern waiting room, complete with a fish tank. When I told the employee who came to the front desk I was looking for Parks & Recreation, she jokingly said "you're close!". She then pulled out a laminated map to show me where it was. They must have people get lost like this a lot, lol! The office I was seeking was a few hundred feet away. I thanked her as she was very nice. When I told her my GPS led me here, she laughed and said the opposite is true when people input Public Works' address. They end up going to Parks & Recreation. I then asked her about the Public Works open house which they had a few weeks ago (see my Yelp tip posted here or this pic: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/carson-city-public-works-carson-city?select=GZl7-D04tab1QjDIvmJrug&utm_campaign=www_photo_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) ). It was held on a Saturday with all kinds of family activities and the Bus Boy Mobile Cuisine on site. I had planned to add it to the Yelp events, but I didn't have time. I also wanted to go, but again, I just couldn't make it. I asked if they would have it next year, and she said definitely yes. They had held in in September 2017 for the first time, but people complained it was too hot. Then they didn't have last year. For 2019, they moved it up to May, and it went really well. I promise I will add this to the Yelp events next year. I am looking forward to going. As I was about to leave, I noticed there were also a ton of freebies on the counter, like refrigerator magnets, fans, pens, and paper rulers. I asked if I could take some, and she said that is what they're for! She explained voluntarily that they had two types of pens, and I could have one of each! She also asked me if I had gotten my free voucher for landfill disposal. I said I didn't need one, but was glad she offered it I thanked her. As I left, I noticed there was a wall of business cards for many of the employees. I took a pic of these for Yelp. I had a great experience here and will be sure to return if necessary!

I went to this plaza on Saturday, March 23, 2019 to go to Jamba Juice. I also stopped in Starbucks…read moreand Panda Express. I should have stopped by Payless ShoeSource, as they are closing nationally and have good deals, but I didn't have time. I have been here many time over the past four plus years. This plaza is located at the southwest corner of US Route 395 and Topsy Lane, just past Clear Creek Plaza and the Carson City limit. It is technically in Douglas County, but has a Carson City postal address, as it is served by that post office. It has two entrances on US Route 395, one entrance on Topsy Lane, and a back entrance on Vista Grande Boulevard (by Costco). It is also right next to Clear Creek Plaza to the north, on Topsy Lane. This shopping center has a variety of useful and somewhat higher-end stores than the neighboring Clear Creek Plaza. The stores are: Armed Forces Career Center AT&T Bank of America Bed Bath & Beyond Best Buy Bike Habitat Boot Barn China Jade Horse Cost Plus World Market Dollar Tree EyeZone Nevada Famous Footwear Farmer's Insurance GameStop GNC In-N-Out Burger Jamba Juice La Salsa Grill Marshalls Mattress Firm Maurices Michaels Panda Express Payless ShoeSource (going out of business soon) Petco Pier One Imports Play It Again Sports Qdoba Mexican Eats Roger's Carpet One Floor & Home Round Table Pizza Senior Care Plus Sierra Sewing, Quilting, & Vacuums Starbucks (with drive-thru) TeamClips The UPS Store Ulta Beauty Verizon Wireless There used to be a Claire's, Quiznos, and Styles for Less here, but they closed. I love coming here as I always feel safe and have plenty of stores to choose from. I have always found there to be plenty of parking. It is a clean and well-maintained plaza, with just a few vacancies. The views from this plaza are also spectacular, as you can see the mountains on the west end and hills and desert on the east end.

4/8/2023 One of my…read morefavorite scenic drives through small towns.. Love traveling to Mammoth Lakes via Minden.. Living in Elk Grove, Ca. The drive would be very long, especially on Highway 50- but coming down to Highway 89, and seeing Minden!.. Seeing open land and the mountains brings tranquility.. lol.. Minden is fun to walk around.. visit small shops and just relax.. Can't wait until the fishing trip!

Scenic drive from South Lake Tahoe, surprisingly short (approx. 30 minutes). Hubby did all the…read moredriving, and I was distracted by its beauty, taking tons of pictures as usual. Love this little quaint town. I love to visit such cute towns, just to check them out. I like getting away from the SF Bay Area occasionally, who doesn't? The warm welcome from all the people in this town has made our mini family vacation a memorable one. 'Til next time!