Other than the obvious, why would someone take a vacation to Elko?

[SMRKIA]

Had a work call and they asked if anyone was doing anything over the holidays, someone said they were going to Elko, NV. I mean, aside from the off chance he had family there, what other reason would someone have to take a vacation there? I didn’t have the balls to ask him, but I will say when someone asks where I’m going it’s either to Salt Lake City or Reno, I won’t admit to Elko. Maybe I’m paranoid, but i feel like saying I’m going to Elko is a dead giveaway to what I’m doing.

[largewalnut]

There really isn't any other good reason I can think of. Also, I think people might be less against sex work nowadays than you think they are.

[knitwit]

Ruby mountains and Lamoille Canyon are good outdoor areas for hiking or camping or hunting. If someone told me they were going to Elko I'd probably assume it was for hunting rather than brothels.

[knitwit]

Maybe I’m paranoid, but i feel like saying I’m going to Elko is a dead giveaway to what I’m doing.

When you are really into something, you always think it is more popular than it really is. Even most people living in Nevada have very little clue about brothels or where brothels even exist.

[Mr. Lloyd]

I guess it doesn't apply to the holidays, but there are some unique cultural events there that draw visitors as well. The cowboy poetry gathering seems to be the biggest one, not sure if the Basque days stuff brings in visitors or is mostly a local event.

Personally, while the brothels were the initial draw for me and certainly still the primary reason for my visit, I find the town overall pretty charming. It's a nice small town with a lot of cool public art and interesting cultural stuff going on. I know folks who I'm reasonably certain didn't swing by the brothels who visited for fun and had a great time.

[cactus Jack]

Lamoille Canyon and the ruby mountains are beautiful places to visit. They offer hiking, backpacking, hunting, and fishing. Ever notice the fly fishing shop between Stockmen's and Moan's? There is the Bask festival, the cowboy poetry event, and I think there is a fiddle event up there.

If you like dual sport motorcycling there are lots of places to ride including the last leg of the Nevada Back Road Discovery route, which goes through Elko to Jarbidge. The route starts in Oatman AZ and goes all the way to the Idaho boarder mostly on dirt and gravel roads.

I agree though, if a guy says he is going to Elko we know what's on his mind.

[RickScrabbler]

I agree that more people are into LPIN than we think. As we all know already, there are several casinos in Elko, plus a few museums (Northeastern Nevada Museum, Western Folklife Center, Cowboy Gear and Arts Museum, and also the Califronia Trail Interpretive Center several miles west of town), golf courses, and hiking trails (already mentioned above). And if they (or their friends) have a car, they can take some side trips to Eureka (with an underground mining tour) and Austin.

[SMRKIA]

I agree that more people are into LPIN than we think. As we all know already, there are several casinos in Elko, plus a few museums (Northeastern Nevada Museum, Western Folklife Center, Cowboy Gear and Arts Museum, and also the Califronia Trail Interpretive Center several miles west of town), golf courses, and hiking trails (already mentioned above). And if they (or their friends) have a car, they can take some side trips to Eureka (with an underground mining tour) and Austin.

Elko definitely has some other fun things to do. But a lot of those things, like casinos for example, can be found in much more accessible locations, and in those cases, are much better than the offerings in Elko.

I agree that Elko could be a fun place to vacation for someone who isn’t into LPIN, but with its out of the way location, I don’t think many would bother.

I just don’t want to risk having it hit the water cooler at the office.

[Mr. Lloyd]

I'll freely admit, I plan a lot of my trips to be short enough not to have to tell anyone I'm away. If I head to Elko and do need to let someone know I usually say Reno instead, as it's close enough to true that I don't feel too bad about the deception but definitely a more obvious tourist spot.

[RickScrabbler]

I agree that more people are into LPIN than we think. As we all know already, there are several casinos in Elko, plus a few museums (Northeastern Nevada Museum, Western Folklife Center, Cowboy Gear and Arts Museum, and also the Califronia Trail Interpretive Center several miles west of town), golf courses, and hiking trails (already mentioned above). And if they (or their friends) have a car, they can take some side trips to Eureka (with an underground mining tour) and Austin.

Elko definitely has some other fun things to do. But a lot of those things, like casinos for example, can be found in much more accessible locations, and in those cases, are much better than the offerings in Elko.

I agree that Elko could be a fun place to vacation for someone who isn’t into LPIN, but with its out of the way location, I don’t think many would bother.

I just don’t want to risk having it hit the water cooler at the office.

Yes indeed, most non-LPIN attractions Elko has to offer can be accessed more easily in Vegas and Reno, with more options available too. I am fortunate to have non-LPIN friends in Elko, so I can (still) justify up to 2 Elko trips per year without arousing suspicion. I am really hoping to squeeze in another Elko trip in the summer before my suspicion-free period ends...

And yes, I agree that it's best to not tell you friend and/or acquaintances about your LPIN hobby. If one person knows, the entire village will find out. You can't "untell" them once you have told them.

[Rabnut]

Lots of good information on here. I agree, Elko punches well above its weight (population) with the number of things to do, restaurants, hotels etc. and I really enjoy the town myself.

I too, have to keep this a total secret from family and friends and would be shunned faster than an Amish pimp if they find out. As it is, almost all of them suspect I am with someone somewhere when I disappear for an occasional weekend day, lol.

[JimDiGriz]

It's also one of the rare cities whose name starts and ends with a vowel, so that's nice - right?

[Rabnut]

It's also one of the rare cities whose name starts and ends with a vowel, so that's nice - right?

Very interesting, astute observation JimDigriz. I never thought of it that way before.

[RickScrabbler]

It's also one of the rare cities whose name starts and ends with a vowel, so that's nice - right?

You got me there. Off the top of my head, I can't think of another town in Neveda with a name starting and ending in a vowel. 

[RickScrabbler]

Lots of good information on here. I agree, Elko punches well above its weight (population) with the number of things to do, restaurants, hotels etc. and I really enjoy the town myself.

I too, have to keep this a total secret from family and friends and would be shunned faster than an Amish pimp if they find out. As it is, almost all of them suspect I am with someone somewhere when I disappear for an occasional weekend day, lol.

I have to time my weekend getaways such that I'm not leaving till Saturday late morning - with friend commitments on Friday night and Saturday morning - and returning late Monday night. I'm hoping nobody in the office thinks I'm going on job interviews, as long as I'm not taking too many Mondays off in quick succession.