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Saturday, June 03 rd Corpus Christi to the Ridge Tahoe at Stateline Nevada : We flew over Lake Tahoe on our approach to Sacramento, so I had a chance to take a few pictures of the lake setting. There was much more snow than I had anticipated for this time of year. So I was starting to have some second thoughts about my planned hike to the upper lakes above Inspiration Point.
We arrived in Sacramento around 6:30 and started to Lake Tahoe with a slight chance of getting there before dark, but we had to stop and eat. We found an In-Out Burger place and all got cheese burgers and fries. It was so cold inside we went to the outside table to eat our food. Aida forgot to bring her bag with wallet and jewelry out, but fortunately someone turned it in to the management. Needless to say most of the trip through the mountains was in the dark. We arrived at the Ridge pretty late but got our key and found the room. Sunday, June 04 th South Lake Tahoe : Father Oliver did an excellent discussion with the congregation. David and Aida discussed her stroke/anxiety incident from two years ago with him. We didn't stay for the cake reception afterward, but rather went to Raley's to buy groceries for the coming week.
Monday, June 05 th South Lake Tahoe : Tuesday, June 06 th South Lake Tahoe : I got up early and had some eggs for breakfast then left
around 8:15 for emerald bay hike point. I got there a little after
nine and met a bicycle rider for the tournament they had going on.
I took a few of the required pictures of the Inspiration Point
before starting out on my hike.
Click here
for a map of my hike.
I was pretty sure the Velma lakes trail wasn't clear of snow, so I headed down the Cascade Creek Fall Trail first. This trail didn’t have a lot of net elevation change, but overall it had a lot of 50ft rises followed by 50ft drops. The trail was like climbing stairs, but the steps were solid rocks about a foot in height each. My shins reminded me of this walk the rest of the week. When I reached the falls I could see others continuing up the stream, but my map didn’t show we could get to the granite lake from there so I returned back to the start. While I was filling out the pass I talked with some other hikers getting ready to start off. One had a big map that showed some other lakes furter out that those hikers were probably going to see.
I figured I could make at least make it to Granite Lake and see what the snow condition was from there. So I filled out the pass and headed up the desolation trail. The trail wasted no time in increasing in elevation. There were a lot of tight switch backs because it was rather steep going. Eventually I got to any opening where the views of Emerald bay were great. After I took some photos there, I continued to try to get to Granite Lake. It was still really steep going. I was passed by some forest service persons doing their morning exercises. One was carrying a chainsaw just for the exercise. As I climbed higher, the snow that was only on the side of the trail began to cover the trail. At first I only needed to take a few steps over the snow, but when it got to point that it took dozens of sliding steps I thought seriously about turning back. Fortunately the forest service dudes left some deep tracks in the snow so I could step in those holes with my running shoes. Eventually I the forest service duds came back down. Apparently they had rested at Granite Lake and told me it was just ahead. You can see by the huge boulders around it why they named it granite lake. The lake was still about 2/3 covered in ice. I ate some of my oatmeal cookies there then headed back. I arrived at the camp ground around 2 pm. I called David to see if he was ready to leave town, but they were still shopping so we agreed to meet for dinner at Harveys Casino.
When I got back to the room, I soaked in hot tub on the top floor, the outside one was closed for repairs. The inside one was quite hot, so I didn't spend too much time there. Later we met David and Aida at Harvey's for dinner and gambling. I broke even. Wednesday, June 07 th South Lake Tahoe :
Afterwards, we drove to Harrah’s to meet with Aida and David. I played some black jack and was up over 100$ at one time, then back to even and eventually ended up $40 for the night. Remy wasn't as successful. Thursday, June 08 th South Lake Tahoe : Apparently they were closed the day before and had tossed all their unsold inventory. We arrived around lunch time and they didn't have any of the normal breakfast "Mexican" foods available yet. I guess they didn’t think to come in earlier to start with the fresh food. The three of them were planning on Menudo, but it wasn't yet ready. Their second choice of Caldo also wasn't ready yet. Remy finally settled on some Chile Relleno, but they didn't burn the skin off the Chile Poblano. Our conclusion is that the recommendation was "FAKE" news. From there we went to the outlets, where I bought a pair of black shoes for the Chicago Funeral and a pair of running shoes to replace the set I wore out on the hike. Friday, June 09 th Lake Tahoe to California : | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Saturday, June 10 th California to Chicago: Sunday, June 11 th Bolingbrook, Illinois: Geneviv's you can't miss it straight up highway 53 wasn't even close. My tablet search for the church showed it was on Boughton Road, but I can't get a good map on the tablet and wasn't sure whether it was on the East or West of Highway 53. We chose the East, thinking she meant continue up Boughton the way we were heading to get to their place from Highway 53. This proved to be a bad guess so instead of making the 10:00 mass we made the 11:45 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Monday, June 12 th Bolingbrook, Illinois: Afterwards we all went to Carrabbas for a lunch. The directions said Highway 75 at Lemont Road. Their signs were hidden by trees and although we were close by it was struggle to actually find the place. I guess we were the only ones who struggled because the others had been there before. Remy ordered the LINGUINE PESCATORE which looked pretty good, but I already had mussels earlier in the week, so I ordered the Lasagna which wasn't super, but just ok.
Tuesday, June 13 th Bolingbrook, Illinois: We drove by our 1992 residence and then proceeded to look for the walking trails that Geneviv insisted did not exist. I decided to do the Whalon Lake hike which has a convenient parking area off Royce Road. When we got back to the room, however, I saw there was a severe storm warning in effect and it already was starting to rain here, so, instead I went to the pool. I had it all to myself. Later we met Penny and Geneviv et. al. at Cheddars for dinner. I had the Lemon Pepper White Fish, which was ok. They treated for Father's Day. Wednesday, June 14 th Bolingbrook, Illinois: Links: City of South Lake Tahoe Visitor Information Our Lady of Lake Tahoe Catholic Church, Zephyr Cove, Nevada Lakeside Inn and Casino - Lake Tahoe Harvey's Casino, Stateline Nevada Pacific Coast Trail Association Lake Tahoe Management Unit Hikes The Loft live theatre, South Lake Tahoe Montbleu Resort and Casino, Stateline Nevada St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Bolingbrook
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