When we think of Nevada, one place immediately comes to mind—Las Vegas. For us, Nevada has always meant bright lights, incredible entertainment, amazing restaurants, a little gambling, and some of the best people-watching anywhere in the world. Las Vegas has been one of our favorite destinations for many years, a place where we’ve celebrated milestones, created traditions, and shared unforgettable experiences with friends and family.
One of our most memorable trips was celebrating Tracey’s 50th birthday in true Vegas fashion. Nearly 75 friends and family members joined us for the occasion, making it one of the largest and most special gatherings we’ve ever experienced. That celebration sparked a tradition of returning to Las Vegas each year to celebrate both Tracey’s birthday and the birthday of our good friend Michelle. Every trip became an opportunity to try a new restaurant, see a new show, and create another collection of memories together. Whether it was a world-class performance, an unforgettable meal, or simply laughing with friends late into the evening, Vegas never seemed to disappoint.
These days, we don’t visit quite as often as we once did. There are simply too many other destinations calling our names and too much of the country left to explore. Still, Las Vegas remains a place that holds a special place in our hearts and will likely always be part of our travel story.
Outside of Las Vegas, our experience in Nevada has been surprisingly limited. The one exception was when our oldest son and his family lived in Reno for a year. We didn’t have much time to explore the area, but we do remember one thing very clearly—it was cold and snowy! While Nevada will probably always be synonymous with Las Vegas for us, we know there is much more to discover beyond the neon lights. From mountain ranges and desert landscapes to small towns and hidden treasures, we have a feeling Nevada still has plenty of surprises waiting for us someday.