Day 3 - Lake Tahoe Area

Visiting the Lake Tahoe area on a holiday weekend has been interesting for sure.  It has been as if everyone from Northern California and Nevada is here.  Long lines, traffic, and cars parked along the highway everywhere were the norm.  People here sure do enjoy their outdoors, which is easy to understand, but boy did they come out today.  We attempted to stop at two Starbucks, but both had lines way too long, so we ended up getting a few snacks from Safeway and then we headed north.

We were soon treated to some amazing views off the left side of the car as we passed Zephyr Cove and Cave Rock.  The lake was busy with boats, kayakers, and parasailers even at mid-morning.  Our road veered east and we started to descend back into the Nevada valley.  Our first stop this morning was Carson City, the capital of Nevada.  The city limits themselves are quite large, extending all the way back over the mountains and halfway across Lake Tahoe.  The "regular" part, however, can best be described as high desert.  The only real trees are in the residential areas where are some very attractive Victorian-like homes.  We soon discovered the state Capitol Building which has a silver cupola on top, instead of a dome.  After a short driving tour, we headed back towards Lake Tahoe, with a quick stop at a gas station.  Prices for unleaded around the lake are about $4.00-$4.50 per gallon.  In Carson City, however, it was about $2.95.  We took advantage to fill up for sure!

After getting back up over the mountains, we turned north towards Incline Village.  Again passing many, many folks parked on the side of the road and walking down to the lake.  I had been to Incline Village once before when I was a kid on a trip with my family so I was interested to see how it looked so many years later.  It's held up well and we decided it really does look like a ski resort town.  We had some struggles finding lunch, but eventually landed upon Brewforia.  They have a kitchen, but also 6 or 8 upright coolers full of craft beer that is available as well.  We were soon treated to some of the best pizza we've ever had.  Full of great flavor and an amazing crust.

After lunch, we continued our driving tour around Lake Tahoe passing many homes that had to be multi-million dollar abodes.  One small village ran into another and the further west we got, traffic finally started to clear up.  Late in the afternoon we ended up at Emerald Bay.  The water in this bay turns from the normal deep blue of Lake Tahoe into an emerald color (thus the name) and it's home to the only island on the lake:  Fannette Island.  The ruins of a small stone building stand on the island:  the former "Tea House," constructed by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight, the owner of Vikingsholm, a 38-room mansion built in 1929 along the shore.  Stopping both along the road and at Inspiration Point offered amazing views, which I finally had the chance to capture!  Prior to this, the roads were so busy I wasn't able to stop to get some shots.  And just as we were leaving Emerald Bay, a lenticular cloud appeared over the mountain to the west!  I've always wanted to see one.

We ended our day with some down time back at the hotel and then a lovely dinner at a restaurant perched above the lake.  Our seats provided an amazing opportunity to watch the sunset over the lake.

Another great day of adventuring.  We move on to the north and west tomorrow!