Lake Tahoe report
1 July 2011 18:38![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kmusserSo last week ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
zammis and I went off to the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada for my family reunion. Shortly before the trip we were both sick and not fully recovered by the time of our flight, but we figured we'd rather be sick in California than home. Zammis was pretty much recovered by the time we got there. I had a lingering cough throughout the trip and had trouble adjusting to the altitude, but fun was had nonetheless.
Day 1 - Saturday
We had an evening flight to Reno via Salt Lake City, a rather bumpy trip, but arrived safely. No problems finding our rental car and hotel and promptly crashed for the night.
Day 2 - Sunday
We have a day to spend in Reno and go for a stroll along the Truckee River, the river is raging - normally I believe there is rafting on this stretch, but doesn't look like it would be safe now. Then it's time for the Auto museum which is pretty neat, lots of old cars and cars of famous people, the car that won the 1908 New York to Paris race. Made me want to go back to work on my Dad's car game - I'll get there at some point. Lunch was had at Men Wielding Fire - seriously how are we supposed to pass up a place named that? The BBQ is decent, the fries were truly awesome, and I say that as someone that grew up near Parkys. After lunch we go for the scenic route over to Lake Tahoe via the Mt. Rose Highway - a beautiful drive, still plenty of snow in the mountains - an especially stunning view as the lake comes into sight. The whole drive down the west side of the lake was lovely.
We get to South Lake Tahoe by late afternoon and find our vacation rental and settle in. In what's to become regular for the evenings we have a big family dinner - overall there are around 40 of us, taking up 5 rental houses with 4 generations of the family present - the dinners can be a little chaotic, but it's good to see everyone, especially the California side of the family which I don't get to see often and it's my first time meeting some of the little ones.
Day 3 - Monday
We join my sister and family for a hike at nearby Emerald Bay to see Vikingsholm. The guide book listed the hike as easy, but it's still a little tough on our out of shape selves. The "castle" is pretty neat if not especially castle like and the views of the lake are great. Also always nice to get some time with the nephews. Sadly we forgot the camera today, so no pictures. Lunch is at the Burger Lounge which is very tasty, especially the pesto fries. We get in some obligatory grocery shopping and then more family time for the evening.
Day 4 - Tuesday
Today we ditch the family and go over the mountain to Carson Valley and the little towns of Genoa, Minden, and Gardnerville. Genoa is Nevada's oldest white settlement and more importantly to us, it has Nevada's oldest bar, founded in 1853 - and it looks it, layers of dusty posters, I figure the faded Jesse James wanted poster is actually from the 1860's. We have our token drinks and let the atmosphere soak in. The it's off to the Tahoe Ridge winery, because we can't have a vacation without stopping at a winery. The wines are quite good and we let them talk us into staying for happy hour and half price appetizers. I think I'll just copy this from their menu: Warm Manchego Cheese cubes breaded in Panco bread crumbs and ground almonds sauteed and topped with sherry, garlic, sliced almonds and butter - just as tasty as it sounds, if not more so. Then with some time to kill we stop at the local casino. I actually have a Blackjack table to myself for awhile which is nice, I have fun chatting with the dealer and even manage to win some money. For dinner we go to a family-style Basque place, just because we don't have many Basque restaurants near home. The food is plentiful and hearty and the wine included - we're going to need wheelbarrows to go. Back over the mountains to our home away from home and in the evening we get some cards in, amazing that it's taken us this long, for us the family game is Shanghai rummy (our rules not quite the same as on wiki) andzammis takes tonight's game.
To be continued. Pictures are located here.
zammis and I went off to the Lake Tahoe area of California and Nevada for my family reunion. Shortly before the trip we were both sick and not fully recovered by the time of our flight, but we figured we'd rather be sick in California than home. Zammis was pretty much recovered by the time we got there. I had a lingering cough throughout the trip and had trouble adjusting to the altitude, but fun was had nonetheless. Day 1 - Saturday
We had an evening flight to Reno via Salt Lake City, a rather bumpy trip, but arrived safely. No problems finding our rental car and hotel and promptly crashed for the night.
Day 2 - Sunday
We have a day to spend in Reno and go for a stroll along the Truckee River, the river is raging - normally I believe there is rafting on this stretch, but doesn't look like it would be safe now. Then it's time for the Auto museum which is pretty neat, lots of old cars and cars of famous people, the car that won the 1908 New York to Paris race. Made me want to go back to work on my Dad's car game - I'll get there at some point. Lunch was had at Men Wielding Fire - seriously how are we supposed to pass up a place named that? The BBQ is decent, the fries were truly awesome, and I say that as someone that grew up near Parkys. After lunch we go for the scenic route over to Lake Tahoe via the Mt. Rose Highway - a beautiful drive, still plenty of snow in the mountains - an especially stunning view as the lake comes into sight. The whole drive down the west side of the lake was lovely.
We get to South Lake Tahoe by late afternoon and find our vacation rental and settle in. In what's to become regular for the evenings we have a big family dinner - overall there are around 40 of us, taking up 5 rental houses with 4 generations of the family present - the dinners can be a little chaotic, but it's good to see everyone, especially the California side of the family which I don't get to see often and it's my first time meeting some of the little ones.
Day 3 - Monday
We join my sister and family for a hike at nearby Emerald Bay to see Vikingsholm. The guide book listed the hike as easy, but it's still a little tough on our out of shape selves. The "castle" is pretty neat if not especially castle like and the views of the lake are great. Also always nice to get some time with the nephews. Sadly we forgot the camera today, so no pictures. Lunch is at the Burger Lounge which is very tasty, especially the pesto fries. We get in some obligatory grocery shopping and then more family time for the evening.
Day 4 - Tuesday
Today we ditch the family and go over the mountain to Carson Valley and the little towns of Genoa, Minden, and Gardnerville. Genoa is Nevada's oldest white settlement and more importantly to us, it has Nevada's oldest bar, founded in 1853 - and it looks it, layers of dusty posters, I figure the faded Jesse James wanted poster is actually from the 1860's. We have our token drinks and let the atmosphere soak in. The it's off to the Tahoe Ridge winery, because we can't have a vacation without stopping at a winery. The wines are quite good and we let them talk us into staying for happy hour and half price appetizers. I think I'll just copy this from their menu: Warm Manchego Cheese cubes breaded in Panco bread crumbs and ground almonds sauteed and topped with sherry, garlic, sliced almonds and butter - just as tasty as it sounds, if not more so. Then with some time to kill we stop at the local casino. I actually have a Blackjack table to myself for awhile which is nice, I have fun chatting with the dealer and even manage to win some money. For dinner we go to a family-style Basque place, just because we don't have many Basque restaurants near home. The food is plentiful and hearty and the wine included - we're going to need wheelbarrows to go. Back over the mountains to our home away from home and in the evening we get some cards in, amazing that it's taken us this long, for us the family game is Shanghai rummy (our rules not quite the same as on wiki) and
zammis takes tonight's game.To be continued. Pictures are located here.
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Date: 3 Jul 2011 01:51 (UTC)