Nomad Life - Day 92

My telework day in Nevada began again as it has for several weeks (0430, with alarm).  Looking outside, though, I noticed that the rain had already started.  Even worse, the snow was forecasted to start at Lake Tahoe earlier than I'd hoped.  All of this meant that the pass on US-50 (Spooner Summit) would probably also have precipitation already and make my Sierra crossing difficult.  I tried to stay on plan (I'd decided last night that I was going to leave Carson City just before 0800).  Thinking about it, I've probably never planned so hard for such a short trip (25 miles) in my life... During a break, I ate breakfast in my room.  At 0730, I finished packing (most had been done last night) and checked out of the Motel 6 Carson City.  As carefully as I could. I quickly made my way south towards the junction with US-50 and then started into the Sierras.  (I learned later that I was also following the route of the California Trail and Pony Express Route.)  There were all kinds of ominous road signs about chains and 4WD but I trusted what I'd been told by the Subaru dealer and the folks at AutoZone.  Meanwhile, the road climbed past 5000, 6000 and 7000 and the light rain changed into flurries and, later, slushy snow.  I noticed that lots of cars were coming in the opposite direction (escaping Tahoe?) but I also saw snowplows working on that side of the highway.  On my (westbound) side, the road conditions were fair to adequate.  Throughout, I was driving below the speed limit and just stayed in a good position behind a line of other cars and trucks that were making the same journey.  At Spooner Summit (about 7800 feet elevation), I saw signs for the Lake Tahoe Watershed and breathed a little sigh of relief because I knew I wouldn't be climbing higher.  From there, I took my time and was even more careful on the way down.  As a result, I could soon see Lake Tahoe, though it was screened by trees and fog, and rolled into Stateline (NV) just after 0800.  Whew! I immediately located my Resort/Casino for the night (Bally's) but then explored the main drag - this took me about a mile into California (South Lake Tahoe).  During this time, it continued snowing (mostly flurries but some slushy accumulation) and temps hovered around freezing.  Unfortunately, it was VERY difficult to see the Lake (too much fog and tough to get waterfront access).  With a plan to continue my telework day, though, I found a Target and discovered they had WiFi; at 0815, I set up to telework in my car.  Meanwhile, I noticed gondolas going up to Heavenly Mountain Resort and considered using one of them later in the day (Note: after looking online, it appeared to be cost prohibitive...).  At this location, I managed to get about three more hours of work done before a suspicious parking lot enforcement truck stopped near me for a while - I decided to move after that.  Repositioning to a nearby Whole Foods (they also had WiFi), I waited for a "pop up" meeting from my boss in DC.  After this (15 minute) meeting ended (1215), I was basically done with my (shorter than normal) telework day.  Feeling a bit famished, I went in search of lunch.  I first tried to find parking near the McP's Taproom (I wanted to go there because I've always liked the McP's Coronado) - however, with construction, threatening signs and other deterrents, I couldn't get near enough to that restaurant (or any eating establishments, frankly) without entering a costly parking garage.  At one point, I did manage to find a place (Lakeside Beach), that had free parking - I'll need to remember that for later in the trip...  Giving up on food for the time being, I stopped at the Bally's (1245) and tried to check into my room early.  The desk clerk told me to return at 1400 so I decided to drive north (back into Nevada) in search of a restaurant.  At Zephyr Cove, I finally found somewhere I could park for free and scope out eating establishments.  I ended up choosing a place called "Los Mexicano's Grill and Cantina".  When I entered (1300), I found that I was the only English-speaking patron - the rest of the guests were talking with the bartender and it was clear they all were comfortable with Spanish.  For my lunch, I ordered the Taco Combo (chicken, carne asada and chili verde), with rice and beans - the food was all very good and it didn't cost me an arm and a leg.  After getting done (1320), I decided to try to offload the bags of aluminum cans and glass bottles that I've been accumulating since Arizona.  With an online search, I found a place nearby that advertised redemption for cash so I headed there.  To reach it, I had to drive about seven miles on US-50 and got a much more comprehensive tour of South Lake Tahoe - there were so many parks, trails and interesting businesses!  I also finally got a better look at the Lake.  When I arrived at the South Tahoe Refuse Company location where Google Maps sent me, I found out that I had to drive a bit farther to the actual recycling facility.  Fortunately, I didn't need a map for that... After arriving, I had to figure out the correct procedures (more Spanish speakers).  Somehow, I managed to get through the process easily and received $1.30 for the roughly 20 cans/bottles I had - not too bad but it definitely is harder than NY and VT (where you can use machines that give you credits)... Finished with this little project, I returned (via US-50) to Stateline (the Nevada side of the border).  I briefly considered stopping at a few breweries that I passed but I figured it would be better to get settled in my room.  After arriving at Bally's (1410), I checked into my room (set up by Holiday Inn Club Vacations) without much difficulty.  There was, however, a LOT of walking required to get to/from the room, retrieve my car, find the parking garage and ensure it fit (luckily, it made it under the 6' 8" sign).  After parking, I returned to my room and got set up for my next few days in the Lake Tahoe area.  Almost immediately, I realized there was some kind of problem with the heating (the room was stuck at 60 F).  It took repeated calls to the Front Desk (to ask for maintenance support) but help was never dispatched.  Instead, I cranked up the heat to 90 degrees and crossed my fingers.  Meanwhile, I watched the snow starting to taper off outside my 11th Floor window.  At 1700, I left my room and, on the way, encountered a sign inside the hotel that talked about a Happy Hour at the HQ Center Bar.  Since Thursday was the only night of my stay where I'd get to take advantage of the half price drinks, I headed to the bar.  In the end, the deal wasn't very good and I only had one (bottle) of beer.  Finished at 1715, I walked around in the hotel, hoping to find some of the amenities.  I learned that the pool was closed ("through November 21) and that the fitness center / spa used the same entrance (they seemed to only be open from 0800 to 1600).  It looks like the stay won't have a lot of extras at this "Resort".  At about 1725, I departed the Bally's and walked towards South Lake Tahoe.  As I passed Harrah's, I noticed a Pony Express monument ("it's following me").  Without much trouble, I walked across the street to the McP's (it was located in California).  While there, I had a Black and Tan (Guinness and Bass Ale) and then ordered the Shepherd's Pie.  Both of these items were the kind of thing I'd have ordered back during my Navy days whenever I visited the Coronado franchise of the restaurant.  I got to watch a bit of Thursday Night Football - there were Buffalo Bills' fans dressed in team jackets.  When I finished my meal (1810), I spent the next few hours walking inside of the four main Casinos on the Nevada side of the border: Caesar's Republic, Harrah's, Golden Nugget, Bally's.  I found lots of interesting restaurants, amenities, etc.  Everywhere I went was very smoky, though.  Finished with my 10K steps (1900), I headed back to my room.  Fortunately, I found that the room temperature had finally increased to 70 - I monitored it for the rest of the evening and never had any further problems.  Even better (from an amenities standpoint), I realized that someone had forgotten to sign out of their Disney+ account on my TV.  This got me started on watching several episodes of the Mandalorian: Season 3.  It also caused me to lose track of time and I ended up going to bed at 2245.  What a day of driving, exploring and new experiences!