Thar's Gold In Them Thar Hills!

Destination from Vegas, LAKE TAHOE!

The drive was one of the most diverse scenery in Nevada.
Everything from dessert, gold mined out mountains, snow capped enormous peaks in the background, rich green ranch lands and then mountain passes to the beautiful forested Lake Tahoe.

Strange sitings in the dessert.

Jill hates clowns so I made her drive by this creepy Motel.

There is a huge lake in the background.  I didn't see one living thing.  No ducks, birds or people.   I googled to see what the problem was.  It's called Walker Lake and it is a natural lake fed by snow melt.  But there are mineral deposits from the surrounding hills that are killing the fish.

We passed several ghost towns which were boomtowns in the early 1900's when gold was discovered.  Town with names like Goldfield, Mineral, etc.... now have collapsed buildings and mountains in the background scarred with mining.

Another interesting place we passed SHADY LADY RANCH.  It is a legal brothel/prostitution house.  I can't believe men drive all the way out to the middle of nowhere to get laid!

Once you get through the dessert, you come across the greenest ranch lands with a winding river.  Picture the Ponderosa on BONANZA.

Then up through a gorgeous pine covered mountain and into the Lake Tahoe area.

We arrived in the early evening.  Our Hotel was set at the base of a mountain right by the gondola.  We both wanted to ride up the mountain in the morning.  Unfortunately, it was closed down for repairs and getting ready for the big Memorial Day opening!  Come to find out....almost everything was closed down for remodel, repairs, etc for the coming season.  Literally, benches were roped off, railings wet with paint, carpets being replaced.  We walked around looking for a decent restaurant and everything was closed.  Luckily, the Nevada and California border was just a few steps away.  On the Nevada side were 2 casinos so that's where we spent the evening.

The next day we found out there was one boat tour of the lake.  Luckily I brought my London Fog.  It was so cold on deck and at one point snow flurries!

The above photo shows VIKING MANSION built in the 1920's in the Emerald Cove.

So that's my brief tour of Lake Tahoe.  Would I recommend?  Yes, but make sure you check the schedule for closures.

Next stop...........SAN FRANCISCO!!!!!!