A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-22-03....Nevada - "Battle Born"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine, FreeTheHostages ~

It's FRiday and we hope you will join us once again as we take a cyber-tour of another state in this great Union of ours. As we present and celebrate each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'. Over the coming months each "Finest" hostess will profile her own home state - I will be presenting all the others in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your insight and input on what you would like to see highlighted.

To date I have presented Alabama, Maryland, Vermont and Utah, and Billie has taken us on a cyber-tour of her home state, Texas. Please join us today as we head back out west and visit "The Silver State".

In 1848 the United States acquired the land that was to become Nevada in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and on October 31st 1864 - Nevada became our 36th state. Since this was the time of the Civil War the state motto of "Battle Born" was adopted. The Union needed the minerals which were abundant in the state. As far back as 1857 many names were used to refer to the area that became Nevada, IE: Sierra Nevada Territory; Washoe Territory; Carson Territory; Eastern Slope; Humboldt; Esmeralda; Sierra Plata; Oro Plata and Bullion. But in 1864 the land emerged as "Nevada" a Spanish word meaning snow-covered. Nevada is also known as "The Sagebrush State".

C'mon along, let's explore old Nevada...

What I find most interesting about presenting the western states here at the 'Finest' is the history and lore of the "wild west". There is a certain mystique about the desert and the rugged men and women who trekked across this barren land searching for gold, silver, religious freedom, or the elusive "land of milk and honey" that promised to be just over the horizon.

(If you aren't into exploring and want to head straight for the casinos, scroll down. We'll catch up with you. (Just leave your cash and credit cards with me.) ;-)

Hardships and Tragedy
The stories recorded about the early pioneers and explorers of what is now the state of Nevada; Jedediah Smith, Captain John Freemont, Christopher "Kit" Carson, Antonio Armijo, and Joseph Walker, are fascinating studies in survival and fortitude. As history records, one of the most tragic incidents that took place during the migration west was in 1846 when the Donner-Reed Party, an ill-advised group of emigrants delayed their journey too long in the Truckee Meadows near the present-day City of Reno, Nevada. They subsequently became trapped in the heavy snows of the Sierra Nevada when they attempted to follow the "Hastings Cutoff" through the mountains into California. 47 out of 87 perished.

The Gold Rush
It is estimated that 22,500 settlers passed through the Truckee Meadows in 1849, then 45,000 in 1850 and up to 52,000 in 1852. Gold and silver prospectors began combing the barren lands of Northern Nevada. Towns began springing over night along the prospectors trails, many becoming ghost towns as the mines dried up. One of the most colorful towns to spring up during this time was Virginia City, made famous in recent years by the long running "Bonanza" TV show.

Virginia City and the Comstock Lode still maintain the flavor of the highfalutin mining days, when Mark Twain roamed the streets and everybody wanted a piece of the "Richest Place on Earth."

Carson City
Carson City was confirmed as Nevada's permanent capital with statehood in 1864, and development thereafter was no longer completely dependent on the health of the Comstock mines. Until they began to decline in the 1880s, these mines provided Carson City with most of its economic importance as a freight and staging center, and as a marshalling point for much of the timber harvest in the Lake Tahoe basin.



That was Nevada THEN,
this is Nevada NOW....

Now that we have had our brief history lesson for the day, let's hop in our limo and see the sights in Las Vegas.....

Casinos, casinos....EVERYWHERE!

From the tacky and garish to the truly elegant, one hotel casino after another lines the Las Vegas strip. There is no place on earth like it!






If you aren't into gambling you can surely find a pool to suit you. The Las Vegas hotels have some of the most beautiful pools in the world!


Or, there is always golf...



Before we leave Las Vegas...

An interesting bit of trivia.....The first mechanical slot machine, the Liberty Bell, was invented in 1895 by Charles Fey, a San Francisco mechanic. Fey's machine housed three spinning reels, each decorated with diamonds, spades, hearts and one cracked Liberty Bell per reel. When the bells lined up, they produced your biggest payoff: 10 nickels. The original Liberty Bell slot machine can be seen at the Liberty Belle Saloon & Restaurant in Reno.

Thank you to the following websites for
historical information and graphics....

"The Big Bonanza"
"Nevada's Past - A History Timeline"

I hope this quick trip through Nevada has been as interesting for you as it has for me. I also hope that I have presented a "Nevada" that is much more than neon lights and one-armed bandits. From the breathtaking grandeur of Lake Tahoe to the Pioneer and Las Vegas Territories in the south, Nevada is a state with beautiful parks and recreation....something for everyone.

Thank you for joining us today,
have a nice FRiday!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-18-03...Military Monday 08-19-03...Finest Pets on Vacation 08-20-03...Freepercise 08-21-03...John's Two Cents

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Calpernia]

Very nice!

[Calpernia]

Great post Mama_Bear! Been to Nevada several times. I do hate what developers do to beautiful land. I use to love riding my Uncles horse out to the mountains. Now it is all homes.

[Temple Owl]

Good morning Mama and all: Thank you for a very interesting post about a great state.

[dixie sass]

Morning FTH, no calendar?

Something to make y'all smile:

Subject: Fw: New Definitions

The Washington Post's Style Invitational once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and supply a new definition. Here are this year's winners:

1. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize it was your money to start with.

2. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
3. Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding stupid people that stops bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows little sign of breaking down in the near future.
4. Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of getting laid.
5. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period.
6. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
7. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it.
8. Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
9. Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.
10. Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
11. Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a serious bummer.
12. Decafalon (n.): The grueling event of getting through the day consuming only things that are good for you.
13. Glibido: All talk and no action.
14. Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they come at you rapidly.
15. Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've accidentally walked through a spider web.
16. Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito that gets into your bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
17. Caterpallor (n.): The color you turn after finding half a grub in the fruit you're eating.

And the pick of them all:
18. Ignoranus: A person who's both stupid and an asshole.

[Aquamarine]

Good morning you two!

Hope you get to make that trip to Tahoe soon Dave, I've heard it's beautiful there.

[Calpernia]

Morning Aqua!!!!

[jwfiv]

Good morning, Mrs. Bear...a very nice overview of Nevada...makes me wanna hit the road...)

I went swimming in Tahoe once, along the Nevada side...it was like flying, the water was blue and clear like the sky...cold, too...55 degrees...it took me two days to warm up afterwards....brrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Here's a little something else to be found in Nevada:

Good mornng to all our Hostesses, and all the Finest...)

It's FRIDAY!

[Calpernia]

ROFL! Forgot about that! There is a freeper by that name too. I'll post a few pics of Area 51 before I run. Bookclub is today :)

[Mama_Bear]

I just love the bird song links you post. That was another pretty one.

I had to go get realplayer again in order to play it though. I thought I HAD realplayer. I don't know what happens to some of my programs....they just up and disappear.

[Calpernia]

Sorry about that! I could have posted the Windows Media Player version. Did mean to make you download another program.

Off to the bookclub meeting. We are doing Monet today. Be back.

[MEG33]

I'm enjoying the Nevada history lesson.

[Mama_Bear]

10 nickels!!

Yeah, that's one HUGE jackpot, huh? LOL.

Speaking of which, our very own JustAmy has left on vacation and is actually in Las Vegas today. She wanted me to tell everyone that if she wins a big jackpot she'll buy a laptop and post to us.

Good luck, Amy!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Friday !

http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/2002/07/20020703_a_main.asp

Listen

Howard Dean

Howard Dean says he's running for President, and on paper he's quite a candidate. He's the longest-serving Democratic governor. He signed the first law in the country to allow gay unions. And, he's got the endorsement of America's favorite president-that-isn't: Martin Sheen. In real life, most Americans would pass Howard Dean on the street without a second glance. Can a candidate with just about zero national name-recognition actually make a viable run for the nation's highest office? Tonight, Howard Dean, the invisible candidate.

[Mama_Bear]

Great post Mama_Bear! Been to Nevada several times.

Thanks, I enjoy bringing the states to the finest. I find a new appreciation for each state when I have finished doing the research and putting the post together.

It's been several years since we've been to Nevada. We have a time-share in Vegas (that we "inherited" - would never actually buy one of those things, LOL). It is about a block from "Paris Las Vegas" on the strip. Wish the time-share was at Lake Tahoe. I love it up there!

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, Sis. You are always so complimentary....and very much appreciated. Finest hugs comin' at ya'. :-)

Have yourself a wonderful Friday.

[Mama_Bear]

Good day to you, Owl FRiend. Glad you came along to Nevada with us. :-)

Happy FRiday to you!

[The Thin Man]

Howdy, Mama_Bear! I have to commend you on getting this thread posted so early, especially being on the West Coast. It puts a certain hostess (guess who) (hint..."howdy" is a clue) to shame. :-).

Nevada Laws

It's still "legal" to hang someone for shooting your dog on your property.

It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.

Clark County
An ordinance makes bringing a concealable fire arm into the county illegal unless it is registered with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. In order to register a handgun, however, it must be brought in to the police station. Furthermore, you may not register a gun on the weekends, but the police may prosecute you at that time.

Elko
Everyone walking the streets is required to wear a mask.

Eureka
Men who wear moustaches are forbidden from kissing women.

Nyala
A man is forbidden from buying drinks for more than three people other than himself at any one period during the day.

[Mama_Bear]

Mornin' jw. Area 51 is in Nevada? For some reason I thought it was in New Mexico.......I guess I am confusing it with Roswell.

"Use of deadly force authorized".........wow, that sounds seriously series! LOL.

I do know that radio personality Art Bell broadcasts from Pahrump, he claims to have seen some very strange things going on in the sky around there. Of course, he claims a LOT of very strange things.

[Mama_Bear]

Sorry about that! I could have posted the Windows Media Player version.

No, that's okay. I want realplayer, I had it at one time. Didn't know I didn't have it until the message came up that windows couldn't file a program to open the file. It's installed now and maybe it will stay put this time. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

We are doing Monet today.

Interesting choice. :-)

La Promenade, 1875