A Tribute To My Home State: Nevada

Facts about Nevada:

Named for the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Found in western part of the U.S., in between California and in between the "four corners of the U.S." otherwise known as Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.

Sierra Nevada means "snow-covered mountains" in Spanish.

Has more mountain ranges than any other state.

It is a very dry state; its desert is known as the Great Basin Desert.

Population: 2.7 million, most live in or around Vegas.

Nevada was the 36th state to join the Union.

Places to go

Lake Tahoe,which we share with California,is always a good option. I went there just a few days ago, and the water was crystal clear. It was so clear you could drink straight from it. However I must caution you, do not dive or cannon ball into the water. The water is so cold that when people put their whole body into the water, the cold puts them into shock, they sink to the bottom and they die of drowning. We have had several cases of this happening. I think all of the victims weren't from here or else they would've known not to do that. If you want to go in the water, go in slowly.

We also have our own Loch Ness monster, named Tahoe Tessie.

Reno, Nevada is known around the world as the biggest little city in the world. Reno has everything for everyone. You can catch a UNR game; however, if you're a UNLV fan, don't let people know that. UNR hates UNLV. In fact, UNR fans may pour their beer on you. There are great casinos to go to, and Tahoe is a short drive away. Once you get out of the city, you can go for a hike. Theres great places to eat, and you can catch a Reno Aces game.

The rivalry between UNR and UNLV is insane. Every year when the football teams for UNR and UNLV play, the ownership for the Fremont Cannon is on the line. When one of the teams win, they get to keep it for that year, take it their college and paint it their team colors. Here's a picture of the cannon in blue in silver. Like it should be. Right now, UNLV has it. Damn them. #keepthecannonblue

Seriously, it is getting out of hand.

Vegas

This one is an obvious choice. Just think of the weirdest thing you can possibly think of, and Vegas will have it. There is a ton of stuff to do in Vegas. You can try one of our 24/7 casinos, go to the strip, one of our famed hotels, go to the hoover Dam, go to a shooting range, the Mob Museum, the Titanic Museum, get a shotgun wedding, Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam, go see a live show, the High Roller this is a 24/7 Ferris Wheel, which is also the biggest in the world, a nature or wildlife tour or helicopter tour. The possibilities are endless.

Amazing food

Awful, Awful

This is an Awful, Awful — it's emphasized that you eat one before a UNR game.

The Heart Attack Grill

This is Nevada's own version of Hooters, but with a Nevada twist. This is on Fremont Street in Las Vegas; you cant miss it. They have a cattle scale out front, and it even says anyone weighing over 350 pounds eats for free. The food here is incredibly greasy, the waitresses are dressed in sexy nurse outfits and everyone gets a hospital gown to wear when they eat. You have to eat all your food, or else you get the paddle. Eat here for the ultimate Las Vegas experience

Ghost towns

We actually have more ghost towns in our state than people who living. One ghost town I highly recommend is Bodie. Even though it's in California. But it is 75 miles southeast from Tahoe. Bodie was a gold mining town in the 1800s. It had a very high period of glory but that only lasted for three years. Its population even reached 10,000 people. It was left behind after the gold rush. It is no understatement that its frozen in time. There are beer bottles still on bar counters, school books left on desks in the school house, poker chips still on casino tables and coats on coat hangers. It look like the residents didn't plan to leave, but that they just randomly stopped what they were doing and just left. Due to Prohibition and the Depression, the decline for Bodie came quickly. Today it is a state park and is rumored to be haunted.

I also would recommend Virginia City and Genoa. Both of which are in Nevada. Virginia City, Nevada, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places thanks to its wooden boardwalks, dusty graveyards that are supposedly haunted, classic western style saloons and haunted buildings like Piper’s Opera House. Or you can time your trip to catch the kooky camel and ostrich races.

Fly Geyser

Surprisingly enough, this is near Las Vegas and is considered one of Nevada's best kept secrets. It was accidentally created by a farmer in the '80s. Due to the colorful algae in the water, it makes it colorful. It's even prettier at night because you can see all the stars.

The creepy and demented side of Nevada

Mackay Mansion

Mackay Mansion has years of paranormal activity. It's considered the most historic and haunted house in the state. Mackay Stadium was named after the original owner of the house. One famous haunting includes a little girl waving at what appeared to be nothing. When her father asked who she was waving at, she said at the man who was making funny faces. Even though her father said no one was there. Ghosts of this house are considered to be the original owner and his wife. It's even rumored that Johnny Depp saw a little girl dressed in white. It is claimed that this little was the original owner's daughter; she fell down the stairs to her death. Some people claim to hear footsteps on the same staircase, which is claimed to be the servant of the house. Other ghosts include the colonel, who haunts the kitchen and Mrs. Mackay, who haunts her bedroom.

If I were to get murdered anywhere, the Clown Motel would be it.

In the sleepy, central Nevada desert town of Tonopah, you'll find one of the creepiest places to spend the night — The Clown Motel. Tonopah, which was once a gold-mining spot with a population of about 50,000 is now home to just 2,500 people. You will be greeted by a lobby full of creepy clown dolls the minute you walk through the door. After that, each room in the hotel has a haunting clown theme, portraits of some of the most famous clowns decorating the rooms. There is also a graveyard next door.

Festivals

Night in the County

This is a three-day "modern" country music festival that takes place in Yerington. If I had to bluntly explain it, I would say it's a three-day festival where people get stupid drunk and listen to what they call country music. Even though we all know what they call country, everyone else calls pop. Below there is a first-timers guide and the official video for the year of 2015. As an introvert, I would never go. I don't like loud places to begin with, plus the country music of today makes me wish I was born with the ability to not hear music. If I did go, I would want leave as soon as I got there. But people seem to like it and are willing to pay a ton a money for just three days. And even more money for VIP tickets. Plus i can accurately predict when Night in the Country is happening as my Facebook becomes flooded with people pictures.

http://nevadamagazine.com/home/inside-the-magazine...

Burning Man

Burning Man is a whole different world. Burning Man takes place in the Black Rock Desert. It is an annual gathering this year; it takes place between Aug. 28 and Sept. 5. It is considered a safe haven for self-expression. Some of these things include experimental and interactive sculptures, buildings, performances and artistic cars among other mediums, often inspired by the yearly theme, chosen by organizers. People make huge efforts to stand out in the crowd, which draws in more than 60,000 people. This festival also includes the annual burning of a man. Here's a link for a survival guide as well as some of the best art.

http://www.alexinwanderland.com/2013/10/21/survivi...

If you're thinking of stopping by, know how to pronounce it right. The locals will vehemently insist this is how its pronounced.

So next time you are in the western side of America, stop on by in Nevada. Because there's something for everybody.