Even though no one can explain Reno's
convoluted slogan, Reno is an oasis and a fun place
to stop. This is especially true for westbound travelers
who have just crossed Nevada's beautiful yet imposing
desert. For the travel weary, Reno is an oasis. Reno
is Las Vegas in miniature. Like its big sister to the
south, Reno is awash in neon, perhaps the largest concentration
of building lighting on all all of Route 40.
As is the case all over Nevada, you
can't spit without hitting a slot machine or video poker
game. I've seen them in just about every gas station
in the Silver State as well as in fast food restaurant
("Yes, I'll have a Jumbo Burger, fries, a Coke
and $10 in chips...").
In addition to gambling, Reno is also
home to some of the finest in roadside attractions.
A fine collection
of diners reside here as do many older hotels (though
their numbers are quickly dwindling). The National Bowling
Stadium also makes its home in Reno. And, don't forget,
the Ponderosa is nearby!
Another oddity you'll only find in Nevada
is legal prostitution. Yes, legal. And the Reno area
is home to some of the most notorious of the brothels,
including the now closed Mustang Ranch. I remember spending
a night at a major chain hotel in Reno and finding fliers
for the Mustang area brothels in my room as well as
in the lobby tourist attraction rack ("We'll pay
cab fare for carloads with two or more customers...").
For more on the brothel culture, check out NVBrothels.com
(a site with a very adult theme - kind of an online
Consumer's Report of the legal sex trade).
Front gates to the closed Mustang Ranch.
