Our escape to Lake Tahoe

• A December 2003 travel journal by Suzie1969
• Type of Trip: Pleasure
• Last Updated: December 25, 2003

The scenery is captivating. Everywhere you look is a snow covered mountain range, truly breathtaking!

Tahoe Seasons

by Suzie1969 on December 25, 2003

Our room was a one bedroom, but would sleep up to 4. Shoji screens surrounded a whirlpool tub to enclose for privacy; the tub is also your shower unit. The whirlpool tub jets were a little weak...so if you're into the really strong jets after a day of skiing, they were not in this room's tub! The toilet/commode area is about the size of a small closet and is confining. You step up to the dressing area which divides the bedroom and the living room. When the shoji screens are closed, it separates the living room unit which would act as the second bedroom if needed. There is not a kitchen, just a microwave oven, sink and apt size refrigerator. The best part of the room was the gas fireplace. The room had a nice view of the trees, really no scenery from our room. The concierge and staff were just great, the restaurant was wonderful and 24hr valet service. Room Service was also available. directly across from Heavenly tram.

Llewellyn's (at Harveys Lake Tahoe)

by Suzie1969 on December 25, 2003

We started with a crab dip appetizer and a bottle of wine. For our main entree, we chose chateau briand for two. We also ordered the house salad, which was a good size and fresh. The chateau briand was prepared at our table but not the usual way, served with the bernaise sauce on the side. The whole meal was really nothing spectacular. The service was excellent and the staff was accommodating.

Pacifica Seafood Buffet

by Suzie1969 on December 25, 2003

If you love seafood this is the place! This buffet has many different types of seafood prepared many ethnic ways: from Creole to Sushi, from Schezuan to on-the-half-shell. They served oysters, clams, crab, lobster, mussels, shashimi. Seafood in every form you could think of. What a delight. They also had beef and chicken for the folks who don't care for seafood. They also had a wonderful salad bar, and pastry/dessert bar. If in Tahoe you need to try this place out. They are closed on one of the weeknights, which I believe is Wednesday, so double check before you go... Enjoy!

Virginia City

by Suzie1969 on December 25, 2003

Since we drove to Lake Tahoe we decided to take off and explore Virginia City. What a great little town! Before you reach Virginia City you have to go through Silver City, but don't blink cause you'll miss it.

Once you're traveling up the mountain you begin to feel as if you're in the old west. Everything you see around you seems it like hasn't changed in 150 years. There are still mines and old abandoned wagons.

Once you reach Virginia City the main street is alive with shops and saloons from days gone by. There are many historical sights, one which was worked in by Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain). He lived and worked in Virginia City. It is still a bustling little town. If you're in the area you need to stop by and visit!

A really great adventure

by Suzie1969 on December 25, 2003

We drove nine hours to get to Lake Tahoe. The drive from Southern California was breathtaking. We stopped halfway and stayed in Lone Pine, CA. We woke up in the morning to a snow capped Mt. Whitney. We journeyed on to Lake Tahoe. It had snowed a few days earlier, but that's not why we were there. We checked into the Tahoe Season's Resort. The room was quiet, clean and comfortable.

Next morning after breakfast, we ventured out to take a tour of Lake Tahoe. We decided to drive around the lake via a side trip to Truckee and Donner. To Truckee from Lake Tahoe is not that far, 35 minutes tops...depending on the snow. We had no snow on the roads so it was a nice drive. We went to the Donner Museum run by the California Division of Forestry. What a great museum and very insightful! I was amazed at what the Donner party went through. This tour answered many of my questions.

We drove on back to the lake and picked up our route prior to our turn off. A full drive around the lake is 72 miles. So needless to say it took up most of our day. We stopped at one of the Casinos at Stateline for dinner and to try our luck.

We also took day trips on our own to Virginia City about 35 miles north. I have written a separate entry for this attraction. We also ventured to Reno about 50 miles away. It sure has changed...not the sleepy little town it once was.

We did not get a chance to ski as the slopes were not open yet. We missed it by about 4 days. Tahoe Seasons is situated right across the street from the Heavenly ski tram. The Heavenly gondola is about two miles up the highway, near stateline, which really is not that far. We did take a gondola ride up the mountain. It was $20.00 per person just for the ride. They have a halfway stop with a snackbar and gift shop. Just an FYI, it only stops on the way up. The return to the base of the mountain is with no stops. There was skiing there, but it was our last day there and we were not prepared. We had such a great time on this vacation..I am sure we will return.

Oh yes! I can't forget the Casinos...as always much to do there...trying not to lose my money (or my husband's!).

Any questions just Ask!

http://www.igougo.com/journal-j27690-Lake_Tahoe-Our_escape_to_Lake_Tahoe.html

©Travelocity.com LP 2000-2009