Town of Genoa

We took a short trip to the town of Genoa.  It was a quaint town nestled on the eastern slope of the Sierra's.  It is the first recorded settlement in the state of Nevada, 1851. 

 While in Genoa we visited the Mormon Station Memorial State Park.  Some things we found most interesting in the museum...

The woman to the left is Eliza Mott.  In 1852 she was the first woman to settle in the area.  In 1854 she started the first school which was held in her kitchen. 

To the right is a pair of skis belonging to "Snoshoe" Thompson.  He would brave 20-50 foot snow drifts with a 50-100 lb mailbag strapped to his back.  He made his own skis and only used one pole in his travels.  Not only did he deliver mail, he also delivered medicines, newspapers, and has been given credit for many daring rescues.
Interesting medicine remedies-
Baldness: Smear your head with fresh cow manure.
Cuts:  Pack the cut with axle grease.
Coughs:  Put some cow dung in water and bring it to a boil. Gargle the water three times per day.
Crick in the neck:  Go down to the hog pen and find where a hog has rubbed his neck against the fence, then rub your neck in the same spot and the crick will be gone.                                          

 While we were in this adorable town we decided we would do some geocaching.  It was a fun trip!

The Mark Twain Museum

Tom Sawyer was on Sweet Girl's literature list this year.  She really enjoyed the story.  While we were shopping in Reno a few weeks ago, there was a statue of Mark Twain at the outlet center.  She started telling us what she had learned about the author.  We decided it was a good time to go back and visit the Mark Twain Museum in Virginia City.  

The writing desk used by Mark Twain when he was a reporter and the city editor of the Territorial Enterprise in 1862.  

 The printing press used by the newspaper. 

A proof press.  Newsprint paper was placed on the type after inking.  Then the huge roller was pushed over the type to make the impression.

 Nevada's first switchboard(1901).  

  . 

 A water wheel which was used to power the printing press.

Yes, I took a pictue of a toilet .  Sweet Girl thought it was funny they had a sign on it that read "Mark Twain Sat Here".  
It was interesting to learn about the tools and history of the trade.

Nature Hike

We headed back to Fort Churchill this time with my husband for a nature hike.  This place is becoming a family favorite.  It was beautiful to see the change the season has brought.  Last time we saw about four different kinds of lizards.  We didn't see a single lizard.  However, the desert was full of rabbits.  They were running and jumping everywhere we walked.  The dogs were going crazy with all of the scents.  Roxy our boxer would point and then a rabbit would jump.  We haven't trained her to do this so it was kind of funny. 

This plant has probably seen better days. I loved the way the sun reflected off of it.  It was breathtaking. Taking this picture made me realize something about myself, why I love to take pictures.  When looking through the camera lens I am able to slow down, observe, pay attention, and appreciate these little things I find so beautiful.  

 The kids spotted this hole in a rock which looked like a pretty comfy winter home. 

 As we were walking we saw... 

 a mule deer.  She surprised us when she just popped out of the brush. Pretty neat!

It was a great hike:)

Pyramid Lake Hike

About a month or so ago we went to Pyramid Lake.   

It is one of the largest natural lakes in Nevada.  It is the biggest(125,000 acres) remnant of the Ancient Lake Lahontan.  
 
Very peaceful and serene.   It was huge and there is much more to explore. 

    

To Fort Churchill

Silly Guy had a project to go on a dry seed hunt.  I wanted to take him somewhere we would find a more native selection.  I thought...the lake.  We hopped in the van across 10 miles of desert.  The drive was nice and much shorter from our house than the hotel.  The lake is such a peaceful place so the kids and I are excited it isn't far from home.  As we were driving we saw three herds of wild horses grazing. It's like seeing sea turtles swimming in the ocean...beautiful.
Once we reached the lake and since we got there so quickly we decided to go a little further to somewhere we hadn't been-Fort Churchill.  We were so glad we did!  It was a neat place!
A little history...

The fort was established in 1860, as a United States military post.  The fort was established to protect against Indian raids along the Carson River.  Also it was an important factor in preserving Union allegiance in Nevada and California during the Civil War.  The fort was constructed of adobes made from material from the river flood plain.  Rocks for the foundations were taken from nearby hill and lumber was brought in from the Sierra's(hauled by mule).  The total cost to build the fort was near $180,000.

The fort had one surgeon in a 20 bed hospital.  The hospital remained full most of the time due to small pox and measles.  There were also two storehouses, a powder magazine, and a guardhouse. 

The Mess Hall- The diet of the typical frontier soldier consisted of beef, beans, saltpork, coffee, and some condiments such as sugar, salt, molasses, and vinegar. The men rarely were able to eat vegetables. Gardens were cultivated to supplement their diets. Each company had their own cook rarely trained. The favorite cooking method was boiling. They would combine meat and vegetables into stews called "slumgullion" or just "slum". The company cook was called the "slumburner". Sound yummy?

Barracks...Enlisted life was tough on the fort. The fort was an isolated, dreary outpost with a $13.00/month pay day.  The hardships and low pay caused many of the men to desert.  Enlisted barracks(lower right)had dirt floors were furnished with bunks and chairs.  Unlike most of the frontier post, soldiers had the luxury of their own bunk.  The bunks were furnished with a blanket and made of straw.  However, the officer quarters(lower left)were excellent.  Each had a parlor, dining room, two bedrooms and an attached woodshed with an indoor privy.  The officer quarters were described in 1864 as "the most comfortable quarters on the coast.  Many of the officers had their families living on post with them too.

We saw a nature trail path and the kids were begging me to go.  I am just not comfortable enough with the area yet(especially without dad) and because of these guys...

I felt like such a chicken but I can't help it.  I have a BIG fear of snakes.  Ever since childhood I've had this fear.  My brother used to have fun with it and put rubber snakes under my blankets.  I can remember it like it was yesterday.  So yeah, then you throw in the factors...no one around for miles, hospital an hour and a half away, barely a cell phone signal, poision, venom...no thank you!! I told them next time we'll bring dad and go on the nature hike.  Not that my husbands presence will change the factors but having him with me makes things better:)

Learning more about our new home...Great find! 

More From Virginia City

A quaint little town...

The Way It Was Museum- Historic Virginia City

We took a field trip to Virgnia City.  This is such a neat little town.  As you walk down the board sidewalks you are taken back in time. 
In the 19th century this was a booming mining town.  The mountains were full of gold and silver and  turning folks into millionares.  It was the most important settlement between Denver and San Francisco. 
We stopped in The Way It Was Museum to learn something new.  This museum was full of artifacts from the period. 

I am not sure if you can tell in this picture but the water pipes were made of wood and then wrapped in wire. 

Timbers used in building this "Square Set" and thousands like it came from Lake Tahoe region.   Most of them were floated down the mountains in "V" flumes to the Carson River(and other locations along the river).  Then they were hauled up the mountains to Virginia City. 

This "cage" is one of the older ones used to lower miners into the comstocks.  No safety features here...they were added later.  Men would just hold onto the iron bar in the middle.  More men died from accidents on the cage than on the mine floor

Don't think anyone could get into that safe. 

Okay...my biggest fear!! Snakes and not just any snake...the rattlesnake.  I am hoping to NEVER run into one of these guys.  So far so good.

Nevada's state flag at the time it was admitted into statehood.  October 13, 1864

Now I thought this was the sweetest thing.

I am not sure I would've been brave enough to sit in this dentist chair.  Notice the tools(on the tray)!! Yikes!!