2018~Lake Tahoe, Part 3

One day, we came across a 2.4 mile Gondola ride that departed from Heavenly Ski Resort so up we went!  

The farther up we ascended...

...the more the ride lived up 
to it's "heavenly" name! 

South Lake Tahoe below.

The gondola stops at an 
observation deck about halfway up where 
majestic views and brilliant blues abound!

The observation deck includes the small 
Cafe Blue with places to sit outside 
and relish in the dazzling sights.

It reminded Middy of the Caribbean,  
and it does indeed look like it! 

These two signs on the 

observation deck explain those blues.

A glorious pano view!

We exited the gondola at this location
 where a lodge, ziplines, a tubing hill, 
a climbing wall, and more are 
offered as you can see from the sign.

We immediately purchased tickets for  

the ski lift and continued to the top.

Mountaintop view.

Jack & Middy opted to hike back down to where we purchased the tickets. Geo and I decided to take the ski lift back down to Tamarack Lodge and wait for them there. 

I'm taking a photo of Jack & Middy 
while she's taking a photo of us on the 
ski lift as we head back down to the lodge.

When we got back to the lodge it was late in the day, and the restaurant & bar had just closed. Thankfully, it was open to sit inside which we did for a little while before moving to the chillier outdoors.

Jack & Middy came along 

after about 30 minutes or so.

We loved this Heavenly place, and want to 
return another time but earlier in the day.

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On our final day, we drove to the tiny western town of bygone days, Virginia City, NV in the foothills of the Sierra-Nevada Mountains. The population is 855 as of 2010. It was a highly recommended destination by family & friends who previously visited. 

The Street Vibrations Fall Motorcycle Rally was in full swing when we arrived making it inconvenient to wander through shops and other businesses on the main street which is C Street (Hwy 341). 

You can view a map of the city here.

It was quite noisy as they raced

up and down C Street, mostly one at a time!

Perhaps to show off bikes?

Or riding skills?

According to one of the store owners, 

adult beverages have something to do with it!

We walked through 

The Way It Was Museum.

And hopped aboard a 35-minute train ride...

...on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

We also took a stroll through the 

Historic Fourth Ward School Museum.

 

While at the train depot, we had asked for a good place to eat that was away from the hustle and bustle. 

We were directed to 

Cafe del Rio. 

The restaurant was busy but the bar was empty so we spent some time there enjoying a tasty meal.

My lunch was served in a pot. 

I can't remember what I 

ordered and it's not on their 

online menu. It was very good though! 

After lunch, the owner was kind enough to show us the upstairs which was a boarding house back in the day. We took some photos out on the balcony while we were up there.

Looking back into town.

The other direction toward the school

(tall building on the left).

We saw several cute furry friends.

Since we weren't able to explore very many shops, museums, saloons and other interesting places, a return trip is in order! 

Tahoe was a spectacular trip! 
A visual party!
 A splendid journey!

AND

We look forward to returning!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Chewy & Elmer hope you had a 

Very Merry Christmas!

George & I do too!

See you soon.

May Your Day Be 
Smiley & Bright, 
D~~~~

2018~Lake Tahoe, Part 2

While in Lake Tahoe, we toured the Hellman-Ehrman Mansion in Sugar Pine Point State Park. It was a summer home named Pine Lodge and completed in 1903. It's situated on a mile and a half of perfect lakefront property.  

Look at that fabulous porch!

Be still my heart!

Can you imagine the delightful time 

that must've been spent savoring the  

lake view while relaxing on that porch?

I didn't get any lake pics from the porch.

Shame on me!

The spacious living area with an 
abundance of natural light shining through.

With outdoor beauty in every direction, 

I imagine the windows brought 

great joy to the residents.

The equally spacious dining area.

We enjoyed a walk around the lovely grounds.
Aha! There's the lake!

We took a peek inside the
boathouse and found this beautiful vessel!

The lake from the front of the property.

As you might expect, the 
entire estate is a very neat place!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the mansion tour, we hiked Eagle Rock.

Here we go!

It was a nice path until we neared the top. 

At that point, a bit of climbing over and 
around rocks was required but not a problem.

It took about 15 minutes to get to the top.

The stunning view!

Jack found a spot to sit and take it all in!

The road below from which we arrived!

Do you see the photographer to the right? 

Don't you know that he probably 

shot some mighty special photos!

A closer view of the road below.

Headed back down.

As you can see, the views were awesome!

Up next in the last post:
The Heavenly Gondola Ride
and
Virginia City

 Big Smiles,
D~~~~

2018~Lake Tahoe, Part 1

In September, we met up with Jack & Middy in Lake Tahoe for a few days. It was late in the afternoon when we arrived, and oh my, what a magnificent place! 

The waitress at the restaurant 
where we ate dinner, directed  
us to stop at the lookout over 
Emerald Bay.
Found it!
And it is stunning!

See the little island to the 

right of the tree trunk?
That's Fannette Island. 


Closer.

It's the only island on Lake Tahoe. 

It has an interesting history too--some folks 

believe that the island is haunted. This

Fannette Island link 

tells that story and more. 

It's quite intriguing (or it was to me)! 

There's a castle in Emerald Bay too.
It's on the widest part of the white, 
sandy beach between the trees.

It's Vikingsholm Castle to be exact.

Here's a closer look but it's hard to see.

Hiking is the only way to get there
and it's a mile down.

Tomorrow we'll hike to it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning Middy discovered these 
large pine cones out behind our cabin.


Wow!
Very cool!

We both took some big pine cones home.

In the background is the cute 
A-frame cabin where we stayed.

We booked it through the VRBO site.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After breakfast, we took a nice stroll 
along the lake in Tahoe City.
 where there's an abundance of
striking blues in the lake and the sky!

Along the way.

At one point during our walk, we were  

approached by a Ranger who calmly told us to 

walk on the far left side of the walkway because

a bear was sleeping 

in the trees on the right side!

She let us take a few pics but rushed us along.

Can you see the sleepy head?

Much to our delight, the walk took 

us through a Farmer's Market too!

After buying some vegetable goodies for an 

evening cookout, it was time to hike down to 

Vikingsholm Castle

 in 

Emerald Bay.  

It's a perfect weather day too!
Here we go.

Starting out the hike, we had a 
clear and closer view of
 Fannette Island.
The white spot at the top, far end
 of the island is a tea room. 

Lora Josephine Knight purchased 240 acres of land and Fannette Island for $250,000 in 1928 to build her summer home that would be called Vikingsholm Castle.    

Emerald Bay reminded Mrs. Knight of the fjords she had seen while in Scandinavia so she commissioned her nephew by marriage, a Swedish architect, to build it and it was completed in 1929.   

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Once we arrived at ground level, 

some very cool trees were screaming,

"Photo op!"

And when cool trees scream, we listen! 

Here's a ground view across the water of 

Fannette Island. 

It's just to the right of the tour boat.

Jack & Middy drew a heavenly 

aura sitting in front of the castle 

while heavenly aura music could 

be heard floating from above!

We've all heard that two heads are better 

than one but this pic begs the question: 

Are two hats better than one?

Waiting to take the castle tour.

A couple castle exterior pics.

Part of the living area.
It does say Scandanavia!
We heard it.

Kitchen with giant fridge.

A 1936 Dodge in the courtyard garage.

The hike down was a breeze (of course) coming back up, not so much. Jack & Middy made it back up about 15 minutes before we did. Not going to say who but somebody (maybe me) had to take baby steps and stop for a few minutes every once in awhile but it was still fun! 

At last, we emerge!

We all enjoyed the hike and the castle tour.

 Actually, the entire day was really neat! 

Part 2 soon.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone,

D~~~~