It’s official. According to Blue Rhino, a company that sells propane tanks, Reno ranks No. 2 among U.S. cities as a great place to grill. It trails only Sacramento in a study based on summertime weather conditions.

In my opinion, Sacramento can’t hold a piping hot briquette to Reno’s wide open spaces, close proximity to Lake Tahoe and skiing, and ever evolving downtown scene complete with a whitewater park right smack dab in the middle.

So with that being said, what other reason do you need to pack up your Weber and move to Reno, Nevada? It’s time to crack a beer and throw some shrimp on the barbie.

They are everywhere!

It’s like something out of Better Off Dead – “I want my two dollars! I want my two dollars!” Except, they are not evil hell-bent newspaper boys that are out to get you. They are people that want to see Reno as more bike-friendly city with more bike racks, bike lanes, and greater awareness surrounding alternative means of transportation.

The Reno Bike Project and the Holland Project (website coming soon) are two organizations that are striving to make Reno a better place for bikers. Especially now that the weather has turned to longer days and warmer weather, you cannot go to downtown Reno without seeing several people either commuting, cruising, or tricking out on some type of bike.

This picture was taken outside of the Imperial Bar & Lounge the other night on Arlington and First. Imagine all the other parking spots they would have needed if they had driven cars.

I don’t know if it is global warming, or simply the fact that the Tahoe region is one of the most climactically diverse areas in the United States. Either way, it is one of the major reasons why I moved here almost ten years ago. I mean, where else can you bike, kayak and ski almost year round?

I am not especially proud of this video, but I don’t know what else to do with it except post it up as a reminder of the last powder day of the season. What it does show is that there can be fun skiing in Lake Tahoe even in late April. It has been one of the weakest winters in quite some time, but at least it was kind enough to provide one more excuse to slap on the fat skis and make some powder turns.

My mom, Kat Hastie just recently returned from a 3 week trip to Africa where she explored more than a half-dozen national parks, as well as a side excursion to Zanzibar. She captured countless photographs, but I cherry picked just a few to show here.

I am most proud of her because she did it by herself. My stepfather was not particularly interested in going to Africa, but she did not let that stop her and went anyway. I know she is glad that she did.

She is racking up the miles. Recent trips also include, China, France, and Argentina. I wonder where she will go next? Maybe I can coerce her into coming to visit me in Reno with plans of shooting clays, attending the rodeo, and hiking around Lake Tahoe. That is exactly what we did the last time she was here, and she absolutely humiliated me on the trap shooting range. Any other guys out there who’s mother is a better shot than you?

While she certainly seems to have some photographic skills, her primary creative outlet is painting. You can check out some of her artwork if you are so inclined by visiting her website at http://kathastie.com/

Here is some video I put together of the Reno-Tahoe Young Professional Network (YPN) Launch Party, which was held at 210 North in downtown Reno, Nevada on Thursday, April 5th.

There were more than 500 people in attendance, and the event featured flame throwers, dancers, and a fashion show.

It was a lot of fun, and I met numerous new people that I hope to get to know better.

There is undoubtedly a fantastic renaissance going on in Reno.