Just curious: Why is everyone recommending Minden, which (on the map,
anyway) appears to be much farther from Reno than Carson City?

Something wrong with Carson City? Terrain? Runways? Ugly FBO clerks?

On paper, anyway, it looks like the airport of choice for driving up to
Reno...

Carson City is the armpit of Nevada!
Minden is only about 10-15 minutes from Carson City, and is MUCH more
beautiful.
Jobs Peak and the Sierras are breath-taking.
Minden is still very rural.
Like everyone else said, if you have the time you HAVE TO go soaring in
Minden.
It is the Mecca for all glider pilots world-wide.

As mentioned, if you stay in Minden, there are some good basque restaurants
and a couple of hotels.
Probably wouldn't be as much fun for the kids, though.