Travel agent finds niche

There aren't too many places where someone can book a trip and buy luggage under the same roof but it's possible at Horse'n Around w/Travel in Gardnerville.

Pat Gage combined her 25 years' experience as a travel agent in her own business surrounded with collectibles she finds interesting.

After she worked as a travel specialist for Rite of Passage for nine years, Gage had considered retiring. She was inspired on a pack trip at Leavitt Meadows on Sonora Pass.

"I was lying under the stars thinking I wanted to do something like that," Gage said.

She decided to start her own business specializing in women's adventure tours - pack trips, raft trips, fishing trips to trekking in New Zealand.

When the little old house behind Sharkey's came up for sale, Gage's idea came to fruition.

Even in the age of the Internet, Gage said people still have an appreciation for a live travel agent.

"Some people are too busy to book their own trips, to be on hold for three hours," she said. "A lot of people don't want to do that."

The gifts in the store - shirts, pile jackets, jewelry, kitchen items, candles, purses, prints and collectibles - have a decidedly western theme.

"The boots were a hit," said Barbara Andrade, already a fan of Horse 'n Around w/Travel. "We had a pajama party at my house and a friend took the boots right off my feet and went home with them."

The slipper boots she was talking about are deluxe slippers in colors like black and red, pink and brown, chartreuse and fuchsia.

"I love this place," said Andrade. "Cowgirls will get in a wreck trying to get in here."

Horse'n Around w/Travel is at 1216 Gilman Ave. in Gardnerville. For information call 782-8940.

What: Horse 'n Around w/Travel

Where: 1216 Gilman Ave., behind Sharkey's

When: 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday

Info: 782-8940