DonMac's Blog

With the series of snow events we have had this January and the over cast skies lingering day after day, I have been working on a stored up energy factor which is commonly known as “Cabin Fever”. Fortunately, I have looked out the window to see BLUE sky overhead on a few days. So, I grabbed my camera, a cup of coffee, a couple of cookies and yelled “road trip” on the way out the door.
I stayed close to the Carson City area on some 2-3 hour round trip drives.I drive slow! The first nice day brought me to Genoa and the Carson Valley. There was a light dusting of new snow from the night before on the foot hills and summits.

The Carson River was glowing from the reflection of blue sky and the willows along the banks.

Near Genoa, the Sierra’s stood out vividly with the new snow on them.

It was quiet and the view was wonderful. I could have stood there all day.

There was very little auto traffic on the roads, obviously luck was with me. Views such as this may have been overlooked if it was a busy time of the day.
The very next day I drove through Jack’s Valley on the south end of Carson City. Route 206 follows the Sierra’s down to route 88 at the California line. These photographs are north of Genoa along Rt. 206.

In the area of Eagle Ridge a buck came out of the brush to say hello and was checking to see if it was safe for the Doe. They are used to seeing people and accepted the fact I was hanging around them. This is what I call deer hunting!

I'm not sure who was more at peace with this afternoon.

Further down the road I stopped for a conversation with a friendly horse. A bit one sided though! I suppose that’s a good sign that my fever didn’t get too high!!
I was taking pictures when my new friend decided to check me out. Sure is a handsome horse.

Last Thursday, the 14th, the sun came out again so I decided to go up to Washoe lake area and explore there in the afternoon. The lake is definitely showing signs of low water but the good news is this years snow pack should bring it even higher than it was last spring. Another quiet location where you can sit and enjoy nature and it’s beauty.
I continued along Eastlake Blvd. to Jumbo Grade Rd. on the right heading north. The road leads to a trail head which was once a continuation of Jumbo Grade. It was a mining route which connected with others, such as Orphir Grade, leading to Virginia City. Mines which dotted the route have all but disappeared. Some articles left behind can be found in the brush but the buildings are gone completely. It was too muddy to take the walk on this day but it is on my things to do list. In researching the Jumbo Grade I discovered there used to be a toll bridge across the lake to Franktown. The mill in Franktown would process the ore from the mines on the Jumbo Grade.

This is the view going up Jumbo Grade. Looking west back toward Slide Mountain. The road is in good condition and does not require a 4 wheel drive. Good thing because I don’t have one.

Well, today I took off again at day break to see if I could catch the sun shinning off the east slopes of the Sierra’s. Another fresh snow left the area south of Genoa and down Rt. 88 from Minden just glowing in the morning sun. I’m very happy the “Cabin Fever” is settling down.

Brine ice sparkles on the branches of a tree on Route 88 in Minden

I made it to the California line and could clearly see the storm moving in.You can see the clouds on the summits here. It moved in fast. The Highway was posted with chain restrictions so I decided to head back to the blue skies of Carson City.I welcomed the new snow from my rear view mirror. Happy and content on breaking the “Cabin Fever” once again. What a beautiful place we live in! Yes?

The spirit and joy of Christmas and the Holiday Season lives on in the hearts of Carson City residents. For twenty years Maxine and Fred Nietz have been working and planning on the annual tree lighting ceremonies held each year on the Capitol Grounds.
It begins tonight at 5:30 pm with the lighting of the state tree and runs to 6:30 pm. The lighting is put in place by the Capitol Building maintenance and the Carson City Public Works Department. Throughout the years Maxine and Fred have worked with three governors to put this together. The city begins the holiday season with the sparkle of lights, song and the smiles of children and adults alike.
This year the 5th grade Music Students Singing Ensemble will be singing with 300 students. Mary Law heads the group of music teachers in preparing what is sure to be a cheerful and memorable performance. The Carson Middle School Handbell Choir will be adding the charming sounds of bells to ring in the spirit and joys that Christmas brings to each of us.
Reindeer will again will be returning to Carson City thanks to Willow Bill. The herd will be resting on the capitol grounds. You can see the reindeer heading there on Route 395. The herd stretches for 45 miles. Each one of the reindeer are in sight of another. The willow reindeer were made by the proud elementary school children throughout Carson City. Great Job Kids and thanks Bill! Willow Bill hopes to build this herd to cover 80 miles of Route 395 with the help of the school children.
Hoofbeats N Carriages has supplied the transportation for Santa and Mrs. Claus. It’s a Victorian horse drawn carriage! Watch for their arrival… I hear they have candy canes!
The Governor and Mayor will be joined by 2 lovely ladies, Christina Keegan -Miss Nevada and Angelina Ligouri -Miss Carson City at the ceremonies. It sounds like a nice night out tonight. Why not pick up a cup of hot chocolate and join us for the fun. Photo courtesy of Maxine and Fred Nietz and thanks to Santa‘s special helper Ray Smith.

Hello to the readers of Around Carson! I could not resist sharing my thoughts of Carson City and the beauty that lies in the valleys from Reno through Gardnerville. I’m a transplant from the east coast. Having found this area on an exploratory venture six years ago. I have rated this area one of the most beautiful in the country after being in 49 states.
I have found though, in talking to many people, that the beauty is lost sometimes by the goal driven lives we live. So, I think it’s time to remind everyone how our home sparkles with beauty all around. The title Photo proves this. I was told that Nevada is a bland collection of browns and grays with a splash of sage thrown in. Of course, on the east coast if someone is talking about Nevada, they are thinking of the glitter of the lights of Las Vegas. I did ! Having been to Nevada’s playground, I had a focused view of what this state had to offer. Then I came to Carson City. I know now there are many playgrounds here in Nevada. Arriving here at night on Route 50, I was thrilled to see the city lights as I came over the hill. I stopped for a short rest and found the people I encountered to be very welcoming to me.I stayed for a while and eventually moved here.
I started exploring the area with my camera. Day after day I found so many interesting places. Intriguing my interest in history and finding so much beauty in the little things I used to walk or drive by every day. We glance at the decorations of local merchants, but have you stopped to look at the work put into them. We see the pretty flowers at intersections out of the corner of our eyes as we drive by. To take a walk down town or your neighborhood for no particular reason, you will see what is there and changing from season to season. I make it a point to get out at least once a month to photograph something beautiful here in Carson City and the valleys. I started this over six years ago by printing different picture on an envelope used to organize my home papers. It made me go out and look. Every time I think I found the best picture a better one is there on the next envelope.
The wonderful things and sites can be found in Cityscapes, Parks, simple walking trails, along the roadsides, in residential areas, ranches and rivers. Everyday is an adventure in some way. In these tough times we are all looking to save and still enjoy our lives. As autumn gives way to the cold winds and snow of winter another phase of the beauty of Carson City begins. The snow lights up the summits and slowly creeps down to the valley floor. Have you noticed how it shows the contours of the mountains. The creek beds, that bring the spring water to the rivers stand out as if drawn onto the side of the mountain.I am personally thilled when Springtime arrives and paints the hills a wonderful colection of green colors.
I suggest that we all take some time to collect the beauty that is ours. Here and when we travel. Stopping for a moment to look. The times are making us work harder and longer to keep what we have in our lives. No matter what happens we still have this area to rest our minds and leave our troubles behind if only for a few minutes.