Marilyn Foster: Traveling is fun, but there’s no place like home

Sometimes, it is just fun to just take a look around you and see the area in which you live through the eyes of a visitor seeing us for the first time. We don’t do that enough, for our daily routine takes us past places long familiar, making us blind.

I know this is a bit different from my usual column where I tout the beauty and cultural sites to be seen in wonderful places across the world. I will mention a few of places later, but for now, I just want to concentrate on our Northern Nevada region with emphasis on our storied Bonanza Country: Carson City, Carson Valley, Lake Tahoe and Virginia City.

With the summer just around the corner, there will be so much to do that you won’t want to roam anywhere but here. They call staying home a “staycation,” where you pretend you’ve never been out and about in the region before.

For those who love to travel via train, how about a nice relaxing excursion to Virginia City from the Eastgate Depot in Carson City. Once in Virginia City, meander the boardwalk to enjoy the touristic offerings for which this city is famous. On select weekends, there could be a parade or two and, of course, stop for a cool one at the Bucket of Blood to listen to the Comstock Cowboys on the weekend.

In Carson City, a leisurely stroll through the Kit Carson Historic District reveals much about our roots. Once known as the Blue Line Trail, the blue line is gone, but the historic houses are worth a stop just to see the incredible architecture from the 1800s. There’s nothing cookie cutter here.

Our charming state Capitol building is open Monday through Saturday and well worth touring. There’s a free museum on the second floor. The Capitol grounds identify the many plantings, and Legislative Park is worth strolling to view the wonderful statues. Bring a sandwich and sit on a bench as you ponder our blue skies or people watch.

Carson’s two museums are well worth exploring. The Nevada State Museum features a ghost town and a mine, plus so much more. The Nevada State Railroad Museum is a must for those who love anything trains. Many weekends, one of the cars is operating and on special occasions, ride the train pulled by Steam Engine No. 25. Kids under 18 are always free. The Children’s Museum offers a nice respite for parents and kids.

Genoa in Carson Valley is worth the stop to enjoy a cold one at Nevada’s Oldest Bar. Minden is now home to the Bently Heritage Estate Distillery. And, how lucky we are to have Lake Tahoe right at our doorstep! Visitors from all over the world come to put their toes in our lake.

For a list of what’s going on, just log on to the various Chamber or visitors bureau sites. You’ll be amazed how much there is to do – much of it free. Get off that couch and explore and enjoy.

After you’ve explored your own special area, think about travel to places far and away.

The Carson City Chamber Travel Club will be featuring amazing destinations I continue to write about. In the United States, the plan is to offer a chance to see the Iditarod Race in Alaska and experience life as it once was for the rich and famous during the time of the Rockefellers at the famous Jekyll Island Club. Who wouldn’t like to stroll the streets of Charleston, S.C., San Antonio or Santa Fe, N.M.?

Internationally, there’s nothing more thrilling than to climb Machu Pichu or to enjoy a relaxing cruise along the Adriatic and Dalmatian Coasts on a private yacht. If it’s exploration, the European river cruises can’t be beat and, this year, the Chamber is featuring top of the line cruising – with free air – that will rival almost any other cruise line.

Our next free travel meeting is scheduled for June 22 at the Chamber office. Call them for a free brochure and to rsvp, 882-1565.

Everyone knows I love to travel and will continue to do so as long as I can.

Marilyn is 90 and just returned from a trip to Kentucky and Tennessee.