Carson City is the capital of Nevada

Carson City, NV — 11 May 2007

Nevada is another of those places that I've traveled to against my will on more than one occasion. Prior to this visit, I had only been there once voluntarily. A good friend of mine lives in Carson City, so I took the opportunity to pay a social call and to explore the state's capitol(s).

Apparently we have the Great Orator to thank for giving us Nevada. Lincoln signed the territory into statehood.

To the right is proof that I actually was there. The legislative building is very modern with a glass-walled foyer. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

The capitol building was completed in the 19th century, and was constructed of the prerequisite marble and local sandstone. How is this considered modern?

As it turns out, there are two capitol buildings in Nevada. The old one that is very tiny and includes a small room for the Supreme Court, and the new one, just next door to the new, very large Supreme Court. I was a little confused at first, but it did explain why the Senate Chamber is being used as a gallery exhibition for historical artifacts. I had my suspicions that lawlessness runs rampant in the Silver State, but I didn't think they'd actually just do away with the government altogether.

There were no urinal fountains to be found either in the old building or the new.

These to the right were obviously added to the old one after it became a museum.

Above: Lights out in the Assembly. Thank goodness for long exposure.

Left: All the senators have flat panel monitors.

Below: I have no idea what this means.

This is more or less what the state of Nevada looks like from the moon, at an angle.

Above: Just in case you didn't know already . . .

Because Nevada cares about the health of its employees, they've installed this smoking building outside the legislative building. Inside, there is a big air filter and a window unit air conditioner. The glass is tinted, I can only guess, so that passersby do not have to lay eyes upon the tar suckers.

Because Nevada cares about equality, they insist its wheelchair-bound citizens take the stairs like everyone else.

I like this tree.

This phone speaks to me on some level.

The new Supreme Court building resides between the two capitol buildings, a bastion of mediation.

I usually try to eat the local enchiladas. This time, I made my own with cheese, sauce and tortillas from the local Trader Joe's. No, I did not eat all of those myself.

My hostess got a little rambunctious in the gift shop.