My Mom was born in Las Vegas and lived there until she was 12. I still have family there. Of course some of them moved to California (in the Central Valley). My Mom remembers field trips up to Carson City to see the Silver Capitol Dome.
I saw it on my way out to move to Oakland, and I have to say that the silver dome is impressive. I've only been to Las Vegas once, when I was seven to visit Grandpa (my Mom's Dad) who is now buried there. A few family members helped to build Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam). My Grandfather was a carpenter and helped to build the first Casinos. He did the fine wood-work in them. One of his master pieces was The Dunes. It's long gone now.
Mom also remembers growing up during the time of Nuclear Testing in the Nevada Testing Range. She remembers that they had to crack their windows when the government told them there would be a test before they went to bed at night. The tests usually took place before dawn. She said that it would seem like the Sun had risen when it went off. The house would shake. Then they would get up out of bed to watch the mushroom cloud rise. She said the mushroom clouds were pretty. (Remember, she was younger than 12).
So, I feel a special connection to Nevada myself... | 
