Teri’s Notebook: Nevadans still sharing love for state

In last week’s column, I shared some responses to the question of what makes Nevada so special to those of us who live here.

There were some great answers, but too many to fit into one column.

So rather than let the surplus fade away, I decided to make a Nevada Day column, part 2, and continue the love fest for our Silver State.

There’s a sense of exclusivity to being a Nevadan, said Maryanne Dahl Johnson, who lives in Starr Valley where she was raised.

“I think coming from Nevada feels like a secret club,” she said. “I mean, half the country can’t even pronounce it right. So many people think that all Nevada is Las Vegas. Living in beautiful mountains with independent people feels like a well-kept secret.”

George Custer spoke of the vastness of the state, both in acreage and interest.

“It’s the seventh largest state, and while we can travel all over it, nothing ever gets boring,” he said. “Even the epic long drive from Reno to Las Vegas has many cool towns like Hawthorne, Goldfield, Tonopah and Beatty — and great historical things to see along the entire drive.”

Ruby Valley native Nancy Neff Livingstone likes the freedom that vastness affords.

“I love all of Nevada’s wide open spaces!” she said. “We like to explore on our own and not have people or convenient signs telling us what we can and can’t do or what we should be seeing, and Nevada delivers. Even though I’ve lived in Nevada most of my 40 years, I’m sure I’ll need the next 40 to see it all.”

Growing up, Jennifer Waldo-Speth and her family would take monthly trips down Highway 50, America’s Loneliest Road. “I love the ghost towns and the history that saturates our state. I even love the barren landscape of sagebrush, mountains and blue endless skies. It really is the Wild West, and no matter where I am home means Nevada to me!”

For a lot of people, sagebrush epitomizes the spirit of Nevada.

“You can wake up to the dust devils or the smell of the sagebrush breeze,” said Samantha Sharpe. “I’ve lived in many places but Nevada is definitely the best.”

Thelma Dahl Davis said, “My favorite part of Nevada is the sunsets. Then I love the way everything turns the same gray-green as the sagebrush after the sun goes down.”