It Was Awful And We Loved It!

Reno is famous for a lot of things; gambling, great events and festivals, and great winter skiing, just to name a few.

But when the Travel Channels "Food Wars" voted Reno Nugget's "Awful, Awful Burger" the "Best Burger in Northern Nevada" for the past 10 years, you just gotta go see what all the hype is about!



And that's just what Stijn and I did shortly after we moved here. 

To get to the Awful, Awful you can walk through the Nugget Casino on S. Virginia and make your way to the back.  But why do that when you can go down an unassuming alley and walk right into the narrow dining/kitchen area.

 

 

Make sure you bring "CASH" and "Patience".  Awful, Awfuls are made to order!

 

And most importantly, bring an appetite!  Not only is the Awful, Awful huge but they also give you a pound of fries to help fill those void spots in your tummy!

 

 

 

 

 

Bon Appetite'

 

 

 



Lake Tahoe Sunset

The sunsets over Lake Tahoe can be so magnificent!

 

 

"Skywatch Friday"



When Did I Start Liking Snow?

I never thought that after living in Central Nevada for 30 years that I would ever like the snow again!  Winters were long and cold in Tonopah and the snow just annoyed me to no end.

After living in Las Vegas for 9 years I became spoiled with the absence of the white stuff.  And I knew that moving to Reno I would once again have to endure snow!

I like snow.  I think it's pretty.  I just don't want to be buried in it 5 months out of the year!

Lucky for us 2011/2012 our first year here, Reno had a very mild winter.  As my son said to me "Mom, you're having a sissy winter".   December past and then January and I thought, wow I'm digging winter here!  A couple of cold days, then a couple of warm days.  This isn't bad at all!

Now in case you didn't know Reno lies at the base of the Northern Sierras and they get plenty of snow!  Just the way I like it.....on the mountains!

But then I found an event, "North Lake Tahoe Snowfest" in March. And it's only 1 hour away!  This is a week long event with all sorts of  "snow" events taking place.  And one of those events peaked my interest.  The "Wine 'n Ice Carving Competition".

DRATS!  As I am writing this post and waiting for my dear friend to arrive, I have discovered that this very event is happening TODAY!!

Okay, back to last year.  When I read that the event was being held at the Truckee River Winery in Truckee I knew it was going to be great!  Sipping on wine while watching chainsaws cut through blocks of ice!

 



 

As I sipped on my wine I walked from block of ice to block of ice trying to figure out what these guys were trying to create

 

 

 

And it seemed that chainsaws weren't the only tools used

 

 

It was an absolutely beautiful day for watching my first ever ice carving competition

 

 

And then I could start to see images of swans, penguins, dragons and wine presses

 

 

I decided to have a little look around this cute little winery while the guys continued to create their masterpieces

 

 

Back outside the guys are putting their finishing touches on their creations

 

 

And finally about 4 hours later, they were done!

 

 

Oh there were others, like this self portrait of the guy on the right who was injured in a skiing accident

 

 

So which one was your favorite?

 

I left this wonderful event with a whole new outlook on winter and snow!  Snow doesn't always have to be miserable and annoying.  You just have to learn how to get out in it and enjoy the white stuff!

 

And that is when I started liking snow!

 

CHEERS!

 

 

 



Hello From Reno!

For quite sometime now, over one year to be exact, I have contemplated starting another blog.
 
Maybe you know about my travel blog "Traveling On A Budget With Debbie".  Maybe you're a follower.  I know I'm guilty of not sharing my travel stories as often as I should, or as you would like me to.  I will still be writing stories about my travels on my travel blog because oh believe me, I still have plenty of travel stories to share. 

But, after moving to Reno Nevada in November 2011, I have been having way too much fun living here!

And all that fun has lead me to want to share with you, why I love living in Reno! 

I've been coming to Reno for the past 40 years while living in Central Nevada.  It was always to either do some shopping or for doctors appointments.  I never really liked Reno all that much.  I thought! 

So why did I move to Reno Nevada then?  Well while living in Las Vegas, Nevada I was diagnosed with Melanoma Level 4 in June 2010.  And you all know how ridiculously hot Las Vegas can be, for way too many months.  And I love to be outdoors, cycling, hiking, etc.  And wearing long sleeves, long pants, and big hats is not the way you stay cool during 110 plus degrees!!

My husband and I decided that moving to a cooler climate would make me very happy!  My husbands that way, what makes me happy, makes him happy!  So after thinking of a couple of places where I could dress like a movie star in disguise and not be miserable, we settled on Reno.

Yes, Reno can have some pretty warm temps too, but they don't last for 6 months out of the year!!

So here I am, finally starting this blog that I have thought about for over a year!  And I already have so much to share with you! 

We have been

 

Hiking

 

Cycling

 

 

Fishing

 

 

Water Skiing

 

 

Snow Skiing

 

 

And my new favorite

Snowshoeing

 

Yes that's beautiful Lake Tahoe behind me!

 

We've also been to San Francisco, California Gold Country and going to events like Hot August Nights, The Great Reno Balloon Races, The Rib Cook Off.....the list goes on forever!!

I hope you follow along as I share with you "Why I Love Living In Reno"