What a fun place! The south shore of Lake Tahoe is brimming with people and we are proud to be among them. We took a most scenic route over the mountains coming into town from the south. We have set up housekeeping at Montbleu in the casino row that is only a couple of blocks long. We wasted no time taking a thrilling 2 1/2 mile ride on the Heavenly Valley Ski Resort gondola to over 9,000 feet with a breathtaking view of Lake Tahoe, Carson Valley, and Desolation Wilderness. We studied the map of ski trails and then finished a little shopping frenzy just in time for an early dinner at the Harrah's buffet at the bottom of the mountain. The 18th floor restaurant provided a fine view of the lake. The sky is a bright blue, the lake is brighter shades of blues, and the temperature at the summit was 60 degrees in mid afternoon. Can it get much better?
Tuesday morning we embarked on the 72 mile drive around the lake. Our first stop was an interesting tour of the Tallac Historic Site which includes a cluster of 100 year old summer homes on the edge of the lake. It is a fascinating glimpse into Tahoe’s past. During the August Great Gatsby Festival volunteers dress in period costume and the buildings are all open for touring. Further along the south shore we stopped at Emerald Bay for the most picturesque scene imaginable that looks out across the lake’s emerald green waters across the only island in the lake, Fannette Island. Nearby is the Vikingsholm, a 38 room Scandinavian castle built in 1929. After a nice lunch in the parking lot we took the steep 1 mile walk down to the beach and mansion. We continued driving around the lake stopping at several vistas. There was so much eye candy that I think I gained 5 pounds on the tour. It is amazing how crowded and developed one section can be and not far around the corner you are driving through cedars and pines in the Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest. There are plenty of beaches and forest service campgrounds all around the lake. It must be one of the country's most scenic drives! And then there are the casino buffets! I think it is time to leave.
Tuesday morning we embarked on the 72 mile drive around the lake. Our first stop was an interesting tour of the Tallac Historic Site which includes a cluster of 100 year old summer homes on the edge of the lake. It is a fascinating glimpse into Tahoe’s past. During the August Great Gatsby Festival volunteers dress in period costume and the buildings are all open for touring. Further along the south shore we stopped at Emerald Bay for the most picturesque scene imaginable that looks out across the lake’s emerald green waters across the only island in the lake, Fannette Island. Nearby is the Vikingsholm, a 38 room Scandinavian castle built in 1929. After a nice lunch in the parking lot we took the steep 1 mile walk down to the beach and mansion. We continued driving around the lake stopping at several vistas. There was so much eye candy that I think I gained 5 pounds on the tour. It is amazing how crowded and developed one section can be and not far around the corner you are driving through cedars and pines in the Lake Tahoe Basin National Forest. There are plenty of beaches and forest service campgrounds all around the lake. It must be one of the country's most scenic drives! And then there are the casino buffets! I think it is time to leave.
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