The Great American Road Trip
Destination: Nevada (Genoa)
Movie: Charlie Varrick (1973)
Lake Tahoe may be one of my favorite places in the United States, but it will not do for an example of Nevada for the road trip, since it is split between two states (California/Nevada). In order to get a little more taste of pure Nevada, Ken and I took advantage of a stay in a Lake Tahoe resort to explore a back road over the mountain and down to the oldest town in the state, Genoa.
Kayakers on Lake Tahoe
Yes, we have been to Las Vegas many times, and NO it is not Nevada–in fact it is such an anomaly that it represents an adult fantasyland rather than the state in which it happens to be located. So on our road trip to Nevada, after spending a couple of days circling Lake Tahoe and immersing ourself in its incomparable beauty, we decided to get back on the road. Getting from Lake Tahoe to Genoa seems like a short hop–just 22 miles–but the drive is one of the most beautiful I have experienced. Up over the pine-covered mountain tops near Stateline at Lake Tahoe and down a curvy mountain road with views over miles and miles of….well….miles and miles. Genoa hides at the bottom of the mountain, tucked securely up against the Sierra Nevadas.
Genoa NV, Main Street
The first thing we learned about Genoa is that it is not pronounced like the city in Italy. Like so many American place names, it has its own unique slant. Say “juh-NO-ah” if you want to sound like a native. The second thing we learned about Genoa — despite its importance in Nevada history, it is practically unspoiled. It is, indeed, a quaint town with tree-shaded streets and historic battered board buildings. Mormon settlers started the first permanent trading post in Nevada here in 1851, to accomodate pioneers on the Overland Trail. If you want to follow the trail through town, just stay on Main Street.
You can visit the old courthouse, the cemetery, and a hanging tree. But there’s also an entertaining saloon, The Old Genoa Bar, “oldest continually operating thirst parlor in Nevada”–since it didn’t shut down during Prohibition.
Genoa Country Store
Eating on the front porch
Two beautiful parks and Genoa Country Store where you can pick up delicious sandwiches to eat on the front porch also make life delightful for the visitor.
When I went looking for a movie to represent Nevada, Hollywood offered me plenty of Las Vegas sagas, but the one I found, Charlie Varrick, claims to be showing you New Mexico. Don’t you believe it. The movie was shot in the flat country between Genoa and Reno, and on the mountain roads leading down to Genoa.
Walter Mattheau plays the tile role, a clever 2nd-class con-man/bank robber who prefers to hit small town banks holding a couple thousand dollars. The bank robbery that opens the film is shot in Genoa. Varrick gets worried when he see how much money hides in this little bank, and figures (correctly) that is is Mafia money. How he plots to survive being a target of the Mafia, a much more dangerous foe than the law, takes up the rest of the movie.
I’ll admit that this is not the greatest bank heist movie I’ve evern seen. Although I liked Mattheau in his role, the rest of the actors seemed to be over-emoting, playing for laughs, or simply not able to handle the directorial style of a documentary feel. But Genoa, on the other hand, acted its role of New Mexico to perfection.
I own all the photographs here. Took ‘em myself. The last three are scans of older shots (before digital), but capture the essence of Genoa. Also in the mode of full disclosure, I should mention that nearly all the reviews I found on the Internet disagreed with me and thought this was a fantastic film. You can look it up.
Have you visited Nevada–not Las Vegas, mind you–Nevada? Know a favorite little “undiscovered spot”? Perhaps Mark Twain’s hang out of Virginia City? Or old abandoned mining towns? Or a guest ranch? [To give a listen to another part of Nevada--cowboy country--check out Music Road where Kerry Dexter provides us with the sound track for this road trip to Nevada. ]Or maybe you’d like to disagree about the merits of Charlie Varrick? Leave a comment below.
You might want to read about another trip to Lake Tahoe.
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About the Author:
A freelance writer who loves to travel. When she is not traveling she is reading about travel. When she is not reading or traveling, she is sharing with the readers of A Traveler's Library, recreating her family's past at Ancestors In Aprons. She writes frequently for Reel Life With Jane and other websites. Also co-author of a biography, Quincy Tahoma, The Life and Legacy of a Navajo Artist. Contact Vera Marie by e-mail.
Vera Marie Badertscher – who has written 684 posts on A Traveler's Library.
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Tags: bank heist movie, Charlie Varrick, Genoa, lake-tahoe, Las Vegas, Nevada, Reno, Road Trip, scenic movie BLogSherpa, USA, Walter Mattheau
Anybody who doesn’t like the movie Charlie Varrick is in the minority! This movie is one of the best crime thrillers of all time bar none. The bloggs will verify that. This movie always scores a 7.5 to 10 on movie reviews. I rest my case.
I admitted above that I was in the minority. Fun movie, yes. But you’ll never convince me this is one of the best crime thrillers of all time. More laughs than thrills with the bumbling characters, and some high class over-acting from everyone but Walter Mattheau.
I’ve found that the scores on movie reviews rarely reflect a critical eye, so that 7.5 out of 10 doesn’t do a thing to change my mind. I rest my case.
So glad to hear there are other people who have explored more of Nevada than just Vegas. And Connie–you gotta do a road trip!
I can’t remember the name of the town, but I love the area of the eastern Sierras further south where the old hot springs resorts are. But really, I love the whole eastern Sierra; definitely a hidden gem!
Melanie Haiken would like you to read..Seeking Health and Solace in Chimayó- New Mexico
Thank you for letting me know that Las Vegas is NOT Nevada. I always equate them and it is good to SEE that there is MORE to Nevada than the city of Las Vegas.
Great pictures.
A pet annoyance of mine is people who travel all the way from Australia to go to Las Vegas and don’t ever get beyond its city limits. They have no idea what they are missing within a few hours drive of this beautiful part of the US.
Mark H would like you to read..Exploring an Historic Botanical Gardens Pamplemousses- Mauritius
Sounds like a great little spot. Any place good enough for Sam Clemens is worth a look in my book.
Frugal Kiwi would like you to read..Gold Thieves- Honey Heist
Although I didn’t expressly say so, young Sam, in his gold mining days, allegedly drank at the original saloon in Genoa. Wonder what the future sojourner in Florence, Italy, would have thought about the pronunciation of “Genoa”.
I see we’ve both decided to look at Nevada away from the tourist trail for this part of the road trip — and I am not surprised. My soundtrack idea introduces the cowboy side of this western state.
which has me wondering — are there western movies which were shot in Nevada?
Kerry Dexter would like you to read..Celtic Connections 2011- images
Hi Kerry: Love your cowboy music post at Music Road. That cowboy poetry festival in Elko is the largest one in the west, and every western state has several, so that is an accomplishment for a remote place.
Yes, I almost chose the Marilyn Monroe-Clark Gable classic, The Misfits. Another famous one is John Wayne’s last movie, The Shootist.
This sounds beautiful! Thanks for sharing. -r