Nevada - first week (Gardnerville, South Lake Tahoe, Carson City)

Thursday 31 October 2019

I arrive in the early afternoon at Los Angelos after an uneventful flight.  Unfortunately I had not been made aware that there were two hotels with almost identical names and thus the first shuttle puts me down at the Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles LAX/El Segundo.  Since I 'had no booking' we discovered, after some searching, that there was a second similar hotel.  A new shuttle was requested and the kind, and talkative, young man dropped me off at the correct  Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles LAX, this time at the Century Boulevard.  Close to the airport!

Friday 1 November 2019

And finally the moment is there, Kevin arrives and I am ready for that big hug that I've been waiting for for two long months!

Later in the morning we catch the flight to Reno where Bobbie and George are waiting for us.  Together we make the trip from Reno to Gardnerville by car. 

George has some business at the Big 5 Sporting Goods, where we arrive after a trip of approx. one hour and then we finally arrive at our destination, Lasso Ln.

Saturday 2 November 2019

Today we start with a quiet day, relaxing at 'home' with Bobbie and George.  This is another hospitality exchange, so they will be staying at home during our stay.  They have visited me on Bribie earlier in the year where they met Kevin and invited him to join me.  

We only venture out for a walk in the neighbourhood. Following are some pictures of the backyard and the view across the lake towards the Sierra Mountains and from our walk along the lake.

Sunday 3 November 2019

Bobbie and George take us out to Walmart and the Douglas County Community & Seniors Center.  The centre offers seniors all kinds of activities as well as a reasonably priced lunch on certain days of the week.

After that George takes us into the country to look at the mustangs who roam there in the wild.  On the way back we drop into the DST coffee shop, which for Kevin and me will become our favourate stop during the following weeks. 

the Walmart car park

mustangs

Bobbie, George, Marion and Kevin at the DST Coffee shop

Explanation of the name for the coffee shop

Later, at home, we take some pictures of the lake where every afternoon hundreds of geese land.

the lake at night time

Monday 4 November 2019

As we unexpectedly don't have the use of a car Kevin and I decide that we want to get around a bit anyway, so we go and hire a car for the duration of our stay.  After that B&G take us to the senior centre again where we have lunch.  

In the afternoon Kevin and I venture out on our own.  We drive into town and walk around to familiarise ourselves with the shops and surroundings.

We visit a huge antique shop (Cheshire Antiques) and the Carson Valley museum and visitors centre.

the seniors centre

a local church

the museum

a quirky shop

Tuesday 5 November 2019

At the tourist information centre we were told that a drive to or around lake Tahoe would be worthwhile, so that's what we do today.  It certainly is a nice drive and a beautiful day helps to make it even more pleasant.  We visit the Glazed And Confuzed Tahoe Donut shop for coffee at South Lake Tahoe. The drive takes us around the bottom part of the lake to the west, then back and up north for a bit.  

At Lakeview Commons I find a 'virtual' cache.  All that is required is a photo instead of the signing of a logbook.

#2129 - Lakeview for you (virtual cache)

At the western side of the lake, Emerald Bay,  I find another cache.  A handy big container.

 # 2130 - GT1250-South Shore Vista (cache)

Next the trip back and up to Zephyr Cove before we head home again. 

Camp Richardson Historic Resort

Back home another sunset photograph of the lake behind the house

Wednesday 6 November 2019

Today we don't undertake a lot.  all I want is a visit to a hairdresser, which proves not to be easy.  No appointments at short notice.  We go and look around at Walmart for a change and finish the day with a cappuccino for Kevin and a nice chai latte for me at DST.