And you can get as wild indoors as out, winning or losing on the turn of a card. Stronghold of Basque Culture Basque shepherds readily took to life in the American West, particularly in northern Nevada. The Basque people orginated in the Pyrenees Mountain provinces of France and Spain. Some Basques migrated to Argentina and from there made their way north, especially to California during the gold rush. Following the silver exodus east, many mined in Nevada until that work dried up.
Basque festivals are an enduring cultural tradition in most of northern Nevada's larger towns.
Festivities include folk dancing, a sheep rodeo, and strength and endurance competitions. These provide adequate cover for field mice, jackrabbits, pronghorn, and bobcats. Once in creosote country, watch for the distinctive Joshua tree, its many thick arms holding what look like shaggy pom-poms. Wildllife includes the desert bighorn sheep, various snakes, and lizards. Inc. All rights reserved.