Touring a slice of old Nevada

In "Roughing It" Mark Twain describes being trapped in a flood after being lost in a snowstorm and trying to start sagebrush on fire with a pistol, spooking the horses. The horses found their way to shelter and were safe and warm when their riders finally found civilization.

While he's not specific about the geography, denizens of Western Nevada will recognize the classic weather pattern.

This weekend those folks attending Eagles and Agriculture will get a full taste of Carson Valley, eagles, agriculture, weather and all.

The hook for Eagles and Agriculture is the chance to see the national bird do what it does, but its purpose is to educate participants about Carson Valley's agricultural history.

Without agriculture, Carson Valley would just be another valley in Western Nevada, with a little bit of green along the river with the occasional stand of Frémont cottonwoods to mark its progress.

It was the Valley's first farmers who dug the series of canals, sloughs and ditches that brought water from the Carson River to thirsty fields.

Today's agriculturists are still finding new ways to irrigate, looking for ways to thrive off the land that has served their families for generations.

Those participating in this weekend's tours will get a snapshot of Carson Valley life that approaches the way it was.

And like Twain's horses, the buses know their way back to shelter.