Sometimes No Plan is THE BEST Plan!

When we left Timber Cove on April 19, 2019, we had no plan.  We were originally not supposed to leave until April 29, 2019.  We had planned so well.  We would have a couple of days to get the dogs to their annual vet appointments-Kiya needed teeth cleaning and both needed shots.  Mike and I would both get hair cuts and I would get my grays taken care of by MY longtime hairdresser, Sara!!!  Woohoo.  We had appointments set and then we would take off to Pyramid for our 1 month reservation. 

Well, losing our spot at Timber Cove put a huge wrench in that plan.  I started texting and making calls to hair dressers and vets while Mike maneuvered us back down highway 1. 

We decided to head to Red Hawk again since the location is nearest to Folsom where we had to do all of our business. I refuse to spend $80/night to park at a KOA along the highway.   I managed to get our hair appointments, vet appointments, and banking appointments all set for the 23^rd. 

Red Hawk does have pretty level parking for RV’s just behind the parking garage but we prefer the lower back parking lot which is very sloped.  There are a couple spots where a rig can level without lots of blocking and we were fortunate that no one was there when we arrived.  So, we got set up and began to figure out what we might do until we could get to Pyramid.

The winds and weather were not going to cooperate to justify spending an extra week at Pyramid so we started looking around at options en route to Pyramid that might be low cost and fun. 

It was Easter weekend so we took advantage of being in the area to visit Mike’s sister, Sherma and her husband, David.  They came up on Saturday night and we feasted on the Red Hawk buffet -which by the way is delicious!  Saturday night is steak and seafood.  Luckily David had a platinum card-for regular patrons the wait was posted at 2 hours.  I think with discount it was around $35/pp. Nice selection of seafood, wonderful pho,  good prime rib, and perfect mashed potatoes!  

We spent Easter at our niece Jamie’s house and got our baby fix with the great nieces and nephews.  It was nice to connect with family.  Those babies grow sooo fast!  Watching little ones on an Easter Egg hunt was an unexpected bonus to our lack of a plan!  So fun! 

The staff at Red Hawk were totally wonderful-ensuring we were safe and providing rides up to the casino if we wanted.  We ended up staying 6 days and they had no problem with it at all.  We did ask permission and they  were very gracious about it.  We ate at the buffet a total of two times (week nights are a real bargain at $17) and gambled a bit when David and Sherma came over for dinner.  Several RV’s came and went during those days but the lot was never full.  The final tally was a loss of $60 gambling and a couple buffet dinners.  Compared to $80/night at KOA, we did well and had a lot more privacy and space. 

We had one big day with appointments at the bank, vet, hair, etc. all on Tuesday then we rested on Wednesday lol. 

People ask what do you do, sitting in a parking lot all day.  First of all, Red Hawk does have a stunning view-especially in the spring.  Rolling green hills with snow capped mountains in the distance-it’s beautiful.  Second of all, how often do you really look out your windows at home?  The dogs are always up for a walk around or a little fetch in the parking lot-gotta watch those foot pads-I’m learning what they can handle and what they can’t.

When we are inside, I’m reading, watching television, answering emails, on social media, paying bills, etc.  The usual things one does when sitting at home.  We cook our meals, do dishes, everything most people do. 

This time I also spent time looking at routes to get to Pyramid Lake, wind conditions, and camping options we might enjoy between Red Hawk and Pyramid. 

I use RV parky, campendium, boondocking, and several other apps and sites to try and find all of our options.  When we aren’t working, I really try to find free or low cost options.  With our 8K generator, we don’t need hook ups and I love the challenge of spending the least amount possible while still being in an amazing place!

While surfing around, checking sites and weather conditions, I discovered that Lake Tahoe was going to have almost perfect weather for the upcoming weekend AND we could secure a pull through full hook up site at Zephyr Cove campground for $37/night.  The campground is right across the highway from the lake and an easy walk for Mike and his kayak.  Lake Tahoe is a “tough nut to crack” as far as fishing goes– according to the hubs anyway.  He was up for the challenge, especially considering the perfect conditions.  We booked 4 days and got ready to head to heaven on earth. 

When discussing routes, I checked several discussion forums regarding travel to Tahoe.  There were some who did not care for the steep grades (6% I think is the steepest on 50) and had made recommendations to use Interstate 80 and other alternate highways.  We were already on Highway 50, staying at Red Hawk, and both of us felt pretty certain this would be a fairly easy route, especially on a weekday morning.  We have lived in the area for 12 years and have driven to Tahoe hundreds of times so we were really familiar with the road.  Traffic can be heavy on weekends and especially on holidays.  It can be dangerous in the winter with snow as well but the forecast was clear. 

Highway 50 to Lake Tahoe is always a magical journey for passengers.  I love to take family there.  Ask anyone, I hate touring you all over to San Francisco, but I’ll drive to Tahoe any day.  It’s a special journey ending in a special place.  Mike remembers being a very young boy and traveling to Tahoe.  He fell so in love with the beauty and the smell –you HAVE to smell Tahoe—that he told himself he would live there one day. 

The American River runs along the highway and as you climb to the Summit you see the largest, most majestic pine trees you’ve ever see, and huge gray rocks with small waterfalls everywhere you look.  You can hear the water babbling and smell nothing but pine.  The highway does have some sharp turns and steepish (6%) grades; however, there are plenty of passing lanes and smooth turnouts along the route with good size shoulders on most of the highway.  It is nothing like Highway 1-which Mike has driven Reva up and down 4 times now-so we both got to relax and enjoy the ride a bit.  Having an exhaust brake is definitely a plus on these types of drives-along with years of mountain driving experience. 

Zephyr Cove Resort and Campground has a decent campground directly across the Highway from Lake Tahoe.  Some sites are larger than others, some are not very level, some are near the highway.  The first pull through site we were assigned to was 135.  There was absolutely no way our 38 footer could fit between the 2 trees at the entrance of this site and make the slight turn to get in.  No amount of backing up and going forward was going to get us into this pull through site.  (I forgot to mention-you cannot reserve certain sites, only the type-pull through, 40 ft, 25 ft, etc.)  We were reassigned to a back in site -number 174.  Was it ideal?  No.  It had a retaining wall on the passenger’s side and it was so tight we could not open our storage compartments or sit under our awning.  Our assigned picnic table and fire pit were on the driver’s side and right next to the sewer hose.  That being said, we knew we wouldn’t be having a picnic or a fire or be sitting outside around the camper in the evening and we were level-without blocks-not easy in this park.  AND we were in Tahoe and the weather was nearly perfect!  Mike would be fishing and the dogs and I would be hiking-we’ll take it.  For those of you considering camping at Zephyr Cove, I would suggest asking for site 137-not sure if they honor requests with reservations, but worth a try.  It is a pull through site that looks like it’s pretty level and easy to get into it.  Just remember, it’s Tahoe.  You won’t be spending a lot of time at your campsite anyway. 

I think Lake Tahoe somehow crept into my soul on my first visit and never left.  I don’t know if I can explain it.  I haven’t traveled as extensively as some, I’m sure there are tons of awe inspiring places in this beautiful world.  I hope that I get to experience many of them with this new life we are living.  Everywhere I look at Lake Tahoe, and on the drive up 50, could be a picture in a book.  Every view is stunning, everywhere I look fills my heart a bit more than the last site.  I walked 9+ miles every day we were there.  I just couldn’t stop.  Every corner had a new beauty to share.  And the air,  smells like pine and a saw mill.  It was sunny and warm-nearly 70-every day we were there.  Warm in the sun, cool in the shade.  There was a wonderful trail along the shoreline that the dogs and I walked every day.  Along the trail there are beaches where dogs are allowed. 

Lake Tahoe is 1,644 feet at its deepest and the water is 99.994% pure, making it one of the purest large lakes in the world. For comparison, commercially distilled water is 99.998% pure. There are 72 miles of shoreline with some of the most amazing views in the world.  I can’t get enough of it.  I’ve taken countless pictures here, and while amazing, they just don’t quite capture it. 

Kiya and Louie snuck a quick dip or two-she had sutures due to a little skin tag removal that weren’t supposed to get wet but we cheated a bit-it’s Tahoe!  There is also a nice, big meadow where they got to run off leash every day.  They had a blast as did I.  What a great way to spend Mike’s birthday weekend! 

He was able to catch mackeral, rainbow and brown trout and had such a great time fishing the lake we decided to extend an extra day.  Monday was going to be the last nice day with zero wind and mid 60’s.  Easy decision.  $37, yep we’ll stay until Tuesday! 

We went to Harrah’s Saturday night for Mike’s birthday dinner.  They have steak and seafood on Saturday evening.  It was unfortunately disappointing.  Especially for the cost-$80 for 2 with tip.  In days past, Tahoe had great buffets.  I am an Iowa girl.  I LOVE mashed potatoes.  They had instant mashed potatoes-no lie.  While the crab legs were scrawny, the prime rib was good and the desserts were pretty good.    We decided next time we’d stay in the campground 2 extra days and eat in instead-same cost.  It did make us appreciate the great food and prices we had enjoyed at Red Hawk last week. 

While losing our site at Timber Cove was unnerving, neither of us really panicked.  We felt it would all work out and OMG did it!  Spring at Lake Tahoe can be very unpredictable.  I don’t think I would ever reserve 5 days at the end of April for Lake Tahoe at an elevation of over 6,000 feet.  People told us to enjoy the snow when we mentioned we were going up there.  The snow was gone and the weather was delightful.  The day we left, Tuesday April 30^th, we celebrated our 6 month full timing anniversary.  We got out and headed to our niece’s house in Washoe Valley, just an hour down the mountain, right before a storm headed in bringing rain and snow with highs of 49.  Definitely feeling blessed and grateful! 

With a quick stop in Carson City for fuel and to top off our propane, we were able to get to Ashley and Tony’s new home just as the rain/snow began spitting.  If you need fuel or propane for an RV, I would suggest Golden Gate Petroleum.  It has easy propane access for motorhomes and a separate island of diesel pumps very easily accessed. 

We had a nice night visiting with family and again getting a baby fix.  We had a great time playing balloon with little 4 year old Mack and baby Hank who is one day older than our grandson, Gus.  Our brother in law lives nearby and was very happy to come by his daughter’s house to have some pizza with us and visit with those precious babies.  I was so busy playing balloon and tickle monster I only got one picture of Mack.  I definitely must work on that!  The kids have a beautiful acreage and we were able to set up right in their driveway for the night.  We even ran an extension cord so we didn’t need to operate the generator at all. 

When we were doing the daily grind, and working every day with 3 weeks of vacation time per year, we would not have had the luxury to spend a few days at Tahoe last minute or drop in and see family.  Or spend a month at Pyramid Lake relaxing, baking, trying new recipes, camping with family and friends, hiking, writing, and reflecting.  Oh, and fishing-Mike will be after Lahontan Cutthroat trout for the next month. He hopes to get a 20 pounder.  Wish him luck!  Off we go!