Pahrump

Pahrump lies 60 miles west of Las Vegas. Its name comes from the Southern Paiutes' language: pah means water and rimpi means rock. Flowing water emerging from rock. The population of the 20-mile long valley is 30,000. The area code (for all Nye county) is 775.

Pahrump is the nation's driest region, yet it sits over the third largest aquifer in North America.

In 1990 the Pahrump Valley Vineyards opened, located at 3810 Winery Rd. It offers tours, wine tasting, and has a restaurant and gift shop. One hundred thousand people visit this winery every year. See www.pahrumpwinery.com. For many years, the Pahrump Valley Vineyards was the only winery in Nevada; now there are two more: the Tahoe Ridge Winery in Genoa and the Churchill Vineyards near Fallon.

Hotels:

• Best Western Pahrump Station. 775-727-5100. www.bestwesternsi.com
• Pahrump Nugget Hotel & Gambling Hall. 775-751-6500. www.pahrump-nugget.com
• Saddle West Hotel, Casino & RV resort. 775-727-1111. www.saddlewest.com

Golf Courses:

• Desert Greens. 775-751-9006. www.desertgreens.com
• Mountain Falls Golf Club. 775-537-6553. www.mtfalls.com
• Willow Creek Golf Course. 775-727-4653. www.wcgolf.com