5/30/2022. Lake Tahoe, Sparks, Reno, Carson City, Nevada

Lake Tahoe straddles the Nevada and California state lines.  It is in the mountains with snow capped peaks and a large, clear lake at the bottom.  The lake has many coves, some with Sandy beaches that swimmer play.  Although the water is snow melt to it is cold.  Tahoe is known for it Snow Ski Resort (such as Heavenly), Casino’s, and entertainment.  We did drive up to Heavenly Ski Resort.  From the parking lot, it looks like a bunch of Black and Black Diamond runs.  Tahoe also has two completely different vibes.  North Lake Tahoe is laid back, quiet, more of a family vacation atmosphere.  Where as South Lake Tahoe seems to be vibrant with a lot of shopping, Casino, and busy, busy atmosphere.  Both locations are on the lake with hiking and other outdoor options.

Sparks is a suburb east of Reno.  We stayed at Sparks Marina which is located across the street from Spark Lake.  The campground is nice and very well located just off of Rt80.  It is also within walking distance of many Restaurants, shopping, and a 2.5 mile paved trail around Spark Lake.

Downtown Reno is nothing to visit.  It consists of a number of old, run down casinos.  

Carson City is the state capital.  Besides having the state government offices it is an old Western Town with a lot of history.  Sandy and I spent a couple hours walking the historical side of town.

5/25/2022. Yosemite, California Campgrounds, running into my cousins, and the attack of the Ants

Yosemite although a beautiful park is a one and done for Sandy and I. We had allocated 3 days to see the park but after one long day and 12 miles of hiking we had seen enough to call it good. I guess after touring as many parks as we have Yosemite did not hit our “WOW” button. Attached our pictures of the park

It truly is a small world. I was walking along a paved trail inside Yosemite heading away from a parking lot when I recognized my cousin Ed and his wife Patty McHenry walking by me in the other direction. Here they are touring the California Parks on a 10 day vacation from Columbus Ohio and just happened to be in Yosemite the same day as Sandy and I. Picture of the four if us attached

So far California Campgrounds are unimproved and unimpressive. They are dirt sites, small roads, low trees, bugs and not level. Basically a tent site with electric that they shoe horn in big rigs such as ours then charge an arm and a leg. Not impressed and will not go back

As we were breaking down camp I asked Sandy to back the COW off of two of 2”x12” boards I used to level the COW in the campground outside if Yosemite. After she backed off the boards I picked them up to scrape off the dirt and stones. I then banged them on the road to knock off any excess dirt just before realizing a 100 black ants exited from the boards and were crawling up my legs and invading  my tennis shoes. Luckily as soon as they started biting and were still below my knees I was able to knock them off both legs and remove my shoes so I could shake them out.  Thank goodness I am not allergic to theses little pests.  

I will be glad when we are out of California!!

5/11/2022. Joshua Tree National Park

We spent the day touring Joshua Tree National Park.  The highlight, Of Course, was having our daughter Andrea make the trip with us.  Although the park is worth seeing, it is a one and done for us.  I now know for sure what a Joshua Tree looks like.  In addition to the Joshua Trees there are some huge boulders to climb on and some beautiful scenery.  

If you were to visit this park, my recommendation is to enter the park from the “29 Palms entrance”, drive in maybe 20 miles to the “Keys View” overlook and call it good.  You will have seen the large boulders, large Joshua Trees, and the beautiful overlook.

Of course this is my (Bill’s) opinion, so since I am writing this blog post, that is what you get :-)

Here are the pictures for your review:

5/11/2022 SAND STORM, Are you kidding me??

We moved from Lake Havasu, Arizona to Indio, California.  Not only are the politics in this state screwed up, the fuel cost outlandish, they also have these things called “Sand storms”.  Unbelievable!  It is equivalent to driving through a Blizzard of Snow in Upstate NY, but it is sand.  It pelts the car like your are driving through a sandblasting tunnel.  SAND is everywhere.  In the Air Conditioners, in the slide out gears, inside the door of the COW.  If you open the door it swirls in.  Of course it also gets in your eyes, lungs, hair, etc…. That night when I took a shower, the bottom of the shower was full of sand, like I just came in from being tossed around in the ocean on a boogy board.  It was something to experience.  Although Indio California is a beautiful location with lush landscaping and 125 golf courses it is off my list of potential relocations places.  One Sand Storm is enough.

Indio is desert and when the winds kick up it swirls the sand in the air and deposits it everywhere.

Here are some pictures of Indio, California: