May 20, 2011 Day 15 Reno, NV
This morning we took care of business and then headed to Carson City to see Nevada?s capitol. I had done the phone survey at Chevy?s and they gave me $5 off on my next meal. Using my I-phone, I discovered there was a Chevy?s on the way to the capitol. Bad news! We got to the right address, but the building was vacant. Good news! There was an Applebee?s across the street, and they have great weekday lunch specials. We had a lovely meal.
The GPS took us through beautiful countryside on the way to the State capitol. Dean forgot the camera, so there aren?t any pictures today. Nevada has the most brilliant yellow bushes and trees called scotchbrush. I liked them so much that I was thinking about planting one at home, and I researched them on my I-phone. Oops! In California they are labeled an ?invasive species?, so I guess I?ll just have to enjoy them in Nevada.
We have passed by the historic Capitol about 30 times in the last 40 years, and we never were impressed enough to stop. So, we went into our visit with low expectations. We were so wrong! We visited both the historic working capitol (built in 1871) and the new working capitol. Both capitols have bright silver domes because Nevada is the Silver State. All the buildings in Carson City, even the new capitol, must be at least 1 foot shorter than the historic capitol, which only has 4 floors, so they have no high-rises. Nevada is the largest producer of gold in the United States and is 4th in the world behind Australia, China, and South Africa. They also produce many other minerals.
Each area of Nevada is very proud. They put letters on their mountains, like in LA they put up the HOLLYWOOD sign. The mountain with an E is in Elko County, R is Reno, and C is Carson City. They also have interesting county flags that are on display in the capitol and flown over county buildings. Nevadans are independent people, and they even formed their own political party, the Silver Democrats, which endured for 5 years. They wanted to have a silver standard for our money instead of a gold standard. There was an interesting border around all the walls by the ceiling about 2? wide which showed all the minerals they mine (lots of different ones!), crops they grow, ranch scenes, sheep, and their state seal. There was a gorgeous quilt of the state seal with tens of thousands of beads.
They are trying to restore the assembly chambers, which is currently a museum with exhibits, like an assemblyman?s desk. I couldn?t find a place to leave my check, so I stopped at the Capitol Police, who didn?t know, then the State Treasurer?s office. The office manager tried her best to figure out how to accept it, but it has to have a tracking number, coding, etc. Anyway, there?s a sign soliciting donations, but no way to make one. Government efficiency??
We strolled through the pretty grounds between the two capitols. There is an iron fence around the capitol. It was erected to keep livestock out. The committee who awarded the contract to H. Clapp was displeased when they found out the H stood for Hannah. They thought it would be a man. The bidders were 2 teachers, and they built a good fence.
By this time it was 4:00 on a Friday afternoon. We walked over to the new capitol, expecting it to be very quiet, but it was abuzz with activity. There were lots of lobbyists, and many of the assemblymen and senators were still there working because the session ends around June 8. We saw a committee listening to speakers, and everyone was working hard. The assembly and senate only meet for 120 days every 2 years.
As we were strolling the halls looking at all the art work and one amazing wooden sailing ship in a glass case, we happened upon the lieutenant governor?s office. He came out and started chatting with us. His name is Brian Krolicki. He says California has a 25% shortfall in our budget, but Nevada has a 40% shortfall. He and the governor are both Republicans and believe in being fiscally responsible, but cutting 40% out of a budget is a daunting task. I liked him a lot. He spent about 10 minutes with us, and we can?t even vote for him. He is promoting tourism, Nevada?s biggest industry, because he is the Chairman of the Commission on Tourism.
In the informational booklet you get when you come in, it talks a little bit about Fly Geyser. Has anyone been there, or does anyone know anything about it? It sounds fascinating.
Dean is boondocking at Paramount RV Repair, and I am enjoying a free room at Harrah?s.
Pretty day with the high in the low 70's.