Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: A sensible, fun vacation

Tuesday, May 28, 2002 | 8:52 a.m.

VACATIONS ARE ON THE HORIZON, and now is the time to adjust your schedule to get the most relaxation for your dollar and limited time away from work. Believe me, this isn't the year to begin and end your vacation spending several hours in tangled airport security systems. If ever there was a summer that should encourage driving and not wandering too far from home it's the coming months. The cost of fuel hasn't returned to the punishing prices experienced during some past vacations but it may again rocket upward come the summer of 2003.

A person who hasn't spent time in northern and eastern Nevada or southern Utah may be pleasantly surprised to learn that there's something other than Reno, Carson City and St. George outside of Las Vegas. Actually there are a lot of natural wonders and high cool places to enjoy during the months that Las Vegas gets hot, hot and hotter. These spots aren't all around Lake Tahoe but hiking that lake's Rim Trail can be a great family experience for those who want both a healthy and pleasant vacation.

A few days fishing in the Ruby Mountains or hiking in the wilderness area of Jarbidge near Elko can exceed your fondest dreams of a great vacation. When driving home, a night or two in Ely and a visit to Great Basin National Park can send you on the way refreshed and with photographs that can match those featured in National Geographic magazine.

Just as important will be the rural Nevadans you meet along the way. I don't believe there are more friendly or interesting people in the world than those who inhabit that part of Nevada. Most Americans born and raised in rural areas have a different view of people and society than many city dwellers. They trust their neighbors and most strangers until this trust is violated. For example, if you wind down your car window and ask directions there is a good chance a friendly conversation will follow. They don't pretend they can't hear you and rush down the street or step into a store.

Every town has some special event or events during the summer months and they are loaded with interesting history and folklore. The Hearts O'Gold Cantaloupe Festival at Fallon and the Basque festivals of Elko and Winnemucca have always been some of my favorites. You haven't tasted anything more delicious than a Heart O'Gold cantaloupe.

There isn't enough room in this column or the entire newspaper to tell about what is out in the rest of Nevada waiting for visitors. The Nevada Magazine is full of information and great stories and pictures for your enjoyment. A copy can be found at your local library or you can subscribe by calling 1-800-495-3281. This monthly magazine is an exceptional piece of work that you may want to send to friends out of state.

After returning to Clark County you will know that the entire Silver State is your home. It's a big territory covering 110,540 square miles. The 87 percent of this land controlled by the federal government makes you an important shareholder. No longer will you accept comments that describe Nevadans from the south and north as "us" and "them." "We" will be used to reflect your feelings.

By the way, if you are interested in history, a new publication will be out next month. "My Virginia City" is a collection of columns written by the late Ty Cobb. Nothing in the history of the West is more exciting than the birth and life of Virginia City. Few writers have the touch and skill to tell these stories. Ty was a lifelong friend of the Sun's Ruthe Deskin.

Ty Cobb? That's right. He was raised on the Comstock and was named after the famous baseball player Ty Cobb. Editor Michael Sion has selected the Cobb columns that give the reader a seldom experienced taste of mining and Virginia City. He has skillfully tied Cobb's memories of the distant past with happenings in the recent history of the Virginia City.

Getting to know the rest of Nevada by book and/or travel can make this summer an exciting family experience.