Sunday, September 25, 2011

Wild Horses or Crime Scenes? Remembering Nevada


I love Nevada and picking it as my home state had nothing to do with sex and violence.
Sly campaigns promising "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," have been successful, but in the face of the IHOP shootings, Air Race deaths and brewing motorcycle gang war, it strikes the wrong attitude.
Potential vacationers reading Nevada tourism prompts like "take the survival challenge" and "escape to incredible Nevada" will feel an ironic chill as they recall September visitors scrambling to escape from the Silver State.
Nevada needs to confront safety and security issues, of course, but we must also revive love for Nevada's wide skies and open spaces, rural towns and wild life.
Visitors to the white horses of the Camargue and "Misty of Chincoteague" ponies contribute millions to the tourist economies of France and Virginia, while Nevada ignore the worldwide love affair with the West's wild mustangs.
Only the most dedicated travelers stumble upon wild horse adventures and other eco-tourism attempts.
"You'll always remember seeing your first wild horse," evokes feelings that overshadow ugliness, while building small business and letting the life long appeal of our state shine through.
The real Nevada, the classic West, is still here, waiting to be appreciated.


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Read a first-hand account of Nevada wild horse hikers

Nevada news: deadly tragedies in Reno

Labels: wild horse tourism

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Posted by Terri Farley @ 12:58 PM

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Comments: I often wonder why Nevada chose wild free-roaming horses as the design for their state quarter when they seem to be going out of their way to ensure that eco-tourism through wild horse viewing will not be an option in the near future. What a missed opportunity. When the mustangs are all gone will they have to re-design their quarter?
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