If you started singing my state song before even reading this post, then you are officially a Nevadan.
This week as people toss tomatoes at each other, crave tasty ribs and hike through the sage and the pine I can’t help but feel a little home sick. So for those of my new-found friends who see slot machines the second I say Nevada, here are some of the things I love (and miss) about my home state.
1. Mount Rose
A quick hike in the mountain air was bliss. We lived only about 30 minutes from the various trail heads of this beauty so after work some days I would go for a walk in the pines and just breathe. Screaming down some of its edges on a mountain bike, dodging evergreens as their fresh smell flew around you, was indescribably refreshing and exhilarating. There was also noting better than having every sunset frame your playground.
2. Balloons at the Crack of Ridiculous
Every September 10th, flames lick the inside of hundreds of hot air balloons, sending bright orbs into the air. As a child, I would come in my pajamas and watch the balloons fly from the window of mom’s car. As an adult, I would show up in my power suit at 4 a.m. for media day. September 10th also happens to be my birthday, so watching the huge mass of balloons float into the sky with the sunrise gained sentimental value. I will be watching the sunrise this year just to watch a glowing orb for my birthday.
3. Fireworks With the Fam
For as long as I can remember, we have gathered with friends and family on a little spit of grass on July 4th and watched pyrotechnics spit out of the top of Sparks’ two tallest buildings. Yes, it is a hotel/casino.
4. Tomato Fight!!!!
When David and I began dating, he took me to this:
We chucked tomatoes at each other and totally ruined our clothes, then went down to the Truckee River for a rinse. You will be happy to know that is the last time I hurled rotten fruit at my husband. I am frankly a little sad about the missed the opportunity this year though.
5. Summertime Barbecue
Sparks, Nev. hosts one of the world’s largest rib cook-offs every Labor Day weekend. About 24 award winning rib cookers from across the country fire up their grills below billowing tents. The ribs, roasted corn, funnel cake and fun tempt more than half a million people into the streets. It is sweet, juicy mayhem. For almost a week, the sweet smell of barbecue sauce and summer fun would float through my office just a block away. You can take a wild guess what I ate for lunch that week … and how many pounds I packed on. The last summer I was home, the Gin Blossoms played at the free concert. Ahhh, summer.
6. The Family I call my friends and the friends I know as family.
