To Nevada

By Feb. 25, restrictions on the passes were lifted and we left Tahoe following Rt. US. 50 into the broad Carson Valley east of the Sierras. At the junction with US 395 it was time to decide to turn north or south. I chose the scenic road south.


Several miles south a brown sign noted an historic site. "Let,s see where the road goes" and it landed us in Nevadas first city, Genoa. Today Genoa is a 4 corners, end of the road, laid back country village. But in 1851, when it was founded, it was a busy supply center on the Pony Express route.

A post office opened in 1852. snow in the mountains, 20 to 50 feet deep, kept the area isolated until Norwegian John Thompson came to town. Fashioning his own skiis, for 20 years, Snowshoe Thonpson carried mail across the Sierras to Placerville, CA twice a month rarely missing a trip . A bronze statue in the town park celebrates this man.

Genoa boasts "Nevada's Oldest Thirst Parlor". Dating from the 1850's, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as is the town. There is also an excellent coffee and candy shop, a healthy sandwich lunch store, antique and quality gift shops, and a gourmet dinner only restaurant.

La Ferme features French Country Cuisine though the Chef and owner is Basque which loudly proclaims is not French or Spainish. He has 2 giant Pyrinee dogs to prove Basque independence. Our chef boasts of his crab cakes which won first place in San Francisco competition over Maryland's second place.

The 100 year old Trimmer farm raises grass fed cattle. The hamburger I ate in the J T Basque resturant with Trimmer meat was the best meat I have ever tasted.

Genoa exudes a good feeling. It is a community that cares about itself. In May the town is hosting it's first Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival.

One mile out of town is Dave Wally's Hotspring that has been serving the public since 1867. It provided a place to stay and we did for four days. Sitting by the pool in the sun watching a snow storm cover the surrounding mountain tops white was one of the most incredibly relaxing experiences of the trip. It was hard to sat good-bye to Genoa, Nevada.