It isn’t just the strip. Here in central/northern NV, we have huge, wide open valleys with 10K’ mountains on either side. In the spring and fall, when the range isn’t burning up, we have crystal-clear air, with no humidity for haze.
Easterners will look across a valley if they’re out here hunting in October/November and say “Let’s walk over there (pointing to the mountains on the other side)” and the Nevadans with him/her will say “How ‘bout we drive over there and maybe get there today?”
Folks from back east are simply not used to being able to see something 40, 50... 70 miles away.
We left early in the morning (late Nov) and the trip across the high desert was one of the most enjoyable ones I have ever taken.
I would point out a spot to my wife to look at and a half hour later we would arrive. It seemed like it was just across the road
Truly every American needs to see where you guys live for the sheer beauty and surreal landscape.
It is hard to imagine native Americans lived there for thousands of years and people in horse draw wagons crossed it.
Like the next casino down the road!
Mark