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Exploring Our New Surroundings

After moving, quite literally, across the country, you’d think that we’d be tired of traveling. It was quite the contrary though and we couldn’t wait to get out and explore this foreign (to us) and spectacular landscape. Heading 30min to the west, we stopped visited a little town that some consider the sole reason for Nevada even being on the map, Virginia City. When I say this small town put Nevada on the map, I’m not kidding. When a massive silver deposit known as the Comstock Lode was discovered here in 1859, this place literally blew up overnight and is credited with supporting the growth of not only Nevada, but San Francisco as well. If the silver discovery wasn’t enough for people to remember this small town, then the 1960’s classic tv show “Bonanza” definitely was. This tv show ran for 14 seasons and 431 episodes, from 1959 to 1973 bringing the 1860’s Nevada silver rush to the living room of every family in America.

My dad used to watch reruns of Bonanza when I was a child. Never did I think that this small town boy from Minnesota would ever end up on the streets that this tv show depicted for millions to see. Another thing I didn’t expect, as we explored the streets of this historic western town, was another small town name from a Midwest town, Samuel Clemens. I know, I know. You’re like, “Who the heck is Samuel Clemens?” Well, let me tell you a little story. Samuel Clemens, of Florida, Missouri, moved out west like most folks after the silver was discovered in Virginia City. He had hopes of striking it rich, but ultimately had to seek other employment to make ends meet. He began his writing career by writing for the local paper in 1862 under the alias “Mark Twain”. In 1864 he left Virginia City and made his way to California where he wrote the literature that he is most famous for now. We run into another place that Mr. Clemens was at before he ended up in Virginia City a couple of months later but we’ll save that story for another time.

After exploring the streets of Virginia City and having some very unhealthy food to eat, we decided to go explore another locality that was 45min to the southwest. We made our way west on historic US Route 50 into Carson City, the state capital, and up and over the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountains to a place that I’d personally dreamt of visiting all of my life. Up and over the mountain pass and making our way down the back ridge paradise started to come into focus. I say paradise, because if you’d ask me to describe what paradise looks like it wouldn’t be too far from what we were seeing. Majestic green pines, granite boulders and outcrops, snow capped mountains all around and of course the crystal clear blue waters of Lake Tahoe lying before us. Paradise people, paradise. Unfortunately, this day we were only able to catch a glimpse from the shores near Glenbrook, NV due to the late hour of the day and the impending blizzard that was moving in from the west. We thought it best to head back over the mountain pass and back home before the winter weather made us temporary residents of the area, not that we would’ve minded too much. Rest assured though, as we’ll make our way back to Lake Tahoe once again in the future.

Viva Las Vegas

Leaving Tucson early in the morning, we had every intention of making the push to our final destination of Reno, Nv that day. However, sometimes in life you need to roll with the changes. We could’ve driven the entire 13hrs it was gonna take due to the weather system moving through the area, or we could use this as a sign that maybe it was an omen of some sort to seek out another option. Who knew that option would be Sin City…

Halfway between Tucson and Las Vegas, Jennifer and I had made the decision that because of the winter weather moving in along our route and the fact that we’d never been to Vegas, now would be a good time to stop and break this last leg of the trip up a little bit more. The girls were already excited because they knew we had to drive through or slightly around Vegas on our way north and they were hoping to catch a glimpse of the strip with all of its lights. Quietly, Jennifer and I discussed the surprise and located a suitable hotel not far from the strip. This was going to be a fun little surprise for the girls.

Finally crossing the boarder into Nevada, we pulled off at an observation lot to checkout the massive Hoover Dam. My parents had been here years and years before and I remember seeing their photos and wishing that I could’ve gone too. Finally, even though we didn’t have time to do a tour, I was there. Taking in the moment with Jennifer and the girls I had that sense of “oh crap, this is for real. We really just drove across the United States and everything is changing” moment. Funny that this was where it finally hit me, but that’s where it chose to pop up. Looking at Jennifer and the girls pointing out a the dam and checking out the new suroundings, I knew everything was going to be ok. After all, it’s just another one of life’s adventures right?

Leaving Hoover Dam we made our way into Sin City and settled in at our hotel. Well, we tossed our bags in and settled the dog in at the hotel. The kids were chomping at the bit to head down to the strip and take in the sights. First on their list was the welcome sign to Las Vegas. Thankfully we had both vehicles with and we were able to find a parking garage close to the strip to park Jennifer’s car in. We made our way down one side of the strip and back up the other, stopping in stores and checking out some of the more famous casinos along the way. Later that evening we had a splendid Italian dinner right on the strip at Giordano’s before making our way back to the hotel for some rest before our final push in the morning.

Tangier

Chesapeake Breeze out of Reedville, VA

On our latest adventure we made our way to the town of Reedville, Va where we boarded a ship, aptly named the Chesapeake Breeze, and traveled across the Chesapeake Bay to the little island of Tangier. Tangier is a special place that is chocked full of history, culture and a lot of character. Just talk to one of the residents and you’ll understand instantly what we mean. Pay particular attention to their accent or dialect, as you won’t hear anything like it anywhere else.

The island was originally discovered and named in 1608 by Captain John Smith and has had a very interesting history to say the least. It’s first inhabitants were thought to be the Pocomoke Indians long before the first English settlers arrived in the 1770’s. It’s said that after a good series of gale force winds, stone arrow heads can still be readily found on the beaches of Tangier. Later during the war of 1812, the island was used as a staging area for the British Fleet and was the base of operations for their attacks against our fledgling nation. Most notably, the sieges against Washington and Baltimore were launched from here. Another interesting little fact is that the British siege against Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor was the very battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to write a little jingle called “The Star-Spangled Banner”, which was later adopted as our National Anthem in 1931.

The community today is that of a sleepy little fishing village that springs to life every time a passenger ferry or tour boat enters port. The residents are quick to show up on their multi seater golf carts and offer guided tours of their unique community and share the rich history of this special island. Tourism is a vital part of the island’s economy, second only to the Waterman livelihood. So make sure you stop and visit the shops or one of the three restaurants on the island. Oh, and we highly recommend the crab cakes if you decide you want to taste the freshest seafood on the Chesapeake Bay!

By the way, did I mention that the only way to and from the island is by boat or private aircraft? That’s right, because of how far the island is from the mainland, it’s considered to be isolated. So isolated in fact, that the mail and supplies to this small Virginia island actually come from Crisfield, Maryland, since it’s the closest locality to the island. Don’t let its remoteness deter you from visiting though, the natural beauty and history of this little island, not to mention the amazingly fresh seafood make this place worth a visit. If you’re considering a visit to Tangier, we recommend that you do it sooner than later as the island is at risk of disappearing due to the sea levels rising. I know, we’ve all heard about sea level rising, but has anyone actually noticed it? Well, lets put it this way. Since 1850 the landmass on Tangier has been reduced by 67%. The island is predicted to be completely underwater or at least uninhabitable by no later than 2051, if the sea level continues to rise at its current rate. Pretty crazy, isn’t it.