Virginia City in Nevada thrived in the 19th century gold and silver mining boom and was famous for transforming men from poor to prosperous overnight. Although I started out from Lake Tahoe (on the border of California and Nevada), only 40 miles away, at noon time, I did not reach Virginia City until 4:30pm, after a short break at Fort Churchill and the spiral mountain drive.

At first glance, I felt as if I traveled back to the 1860s. I could vividly imagine the glory of this once boisterous town, where millions of dollars were made from the gold found in every hill. Now in a snow covered winter evening, it looked like an old wounded man left unattended.

Nevertheless, Virginia City is home to the writing career of Mark Twain, who spent his early career as a steamboat pilot, traveled on a stagecoach across the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains to the west, and settled in Virginia City as a not so successful miner, but a great journalist, lecturer and writer...

As much as I believe things happen for a reason, I believe everyone exists for a purpose.  Maybe not all of us are born to be a successful miner, but if we follow our own faith and passion, we sure will be successful somewhere.  Somewhere that truly represents our purpose.  

With Mark Twain's travel journey, he inspired so many of us by his quote:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Nevada, USA

December 2007