Nomad Life - Day 94

With the weekend's arrival, I finally had some time to explore Lake Tahoe!  I was initially awake very early but then went back to sleep - I didn't end up getting out of bed until 0730.  Next, I participated in a Zoom call with Mollie and Ella (we were doing some planning for the 2026 Family Thanksgiving).  Afterwards, I spent time reading, doing puzzles and completing Duolingo exercises.  Along the way, the views out the window (of the Lake and mountains) were great.  As for the weather, it was was clear but cold (30s).  At 0845, I went down to the Fitness Center for a workout (20 minutes of biking, 4.35 miles).  While there, I checked my weight on a scale there - I've finally shed the cruise weight!  Unfortunately, the pool was still closed...  On the way back to my room, I picked up breakfast at Starbucks (0915) and got some hiking trail advice from the staff.  I then got ready to leave hotel.  After departing from my room at the Bally's, it was a long walk to my car because I was parked on a higher level (4) of the parking garage.  As I drove out of the garage, my first thoughts were about getting a photo of the lake from the highest location I nearby and then heading south and west along the lake.  With this in mind, I drove into South Lake Tahoe and started probing neighborhood roads in search of the view.  Despite the urge to use it, I continued avoiding the expensive) gondola.  While driving, I've noticed that the roads are horrible everywhere!  It didn't get any better as I made my way up the hill that that rises to the Heavenly Mountain Resort but I consoled myself with the fact that I was finding a lot of nice neighborhoods. Eventually (1045), I ran into the huge parking lot for the California Lodge, located about halfway up the mountain.  I hoped to find information there (no photo opportunities yet) and then continue driving higher.  However, these plans were soon dashed - when I restarted my car at the Lodge, I got the "Christmas Tree" dashboard.  I read the owner's manual for my Outback and then tried all kinds of things to reset the lights.  In all of these attempts, I was unsuccessful.  The seemingly dire situation forced me to make a call: "continue driving or get a tow truck".  The idea of looking for a car repair business seemed like the best solution and I drove north towards Nevada.  The car seemed to be handling and behaving normally so I started to wonder if the best solution was to return to Carson City.  With my confidence growing (and very good weather on my side), I got on US-50 and drove to Spooner Summit.  After I didn't have troubles in the climb, I continued eadt until I arrived at Subaru dealership just after 1130.  With a Saturday schedule and staffing, it took a little while before the Service Department was able to check the codes on their computer.  Somehow, I got lucky and it was only a misfire of one cylinder - I was told that it might just be a function of driving around a higher elevations.  While this diagnosis was, by no means, assuredly good, I felt better about continuing my Nomad Life journey and requested they reset the system.  With a clear dashboard (1205) and temps in the mid 40s, I decided that it made sense to return to Lake Tahoe.  Before leaving the Carson River Valley, though, I drove to a nearby Taco Bell and got lunch (1210).  Even though the order was "to go", I ate half of it inside the restaurant and then took the rest on the road.  Back on US-50 and headed west, I crossed Spooner Summit again.  During the climb, it occurred to me that I'd used so much of the day already that it would be better to focus on the East (Nevada) side of Lake Tahoe instead of the West (California) side (my earlier plan).  As a result, I took NV-28 and drove north.  Almost immediately, I encountered frozen ponds (I was still above 7000 feet) and got pretty glimpses of stunning white-capped mountains through the trees.  Continuing along the Lake's edge, I tried to stop at several places - unfortunately, there were so many "No Parking signs" (they were everywhere) that this wasn't possible.  Eventually, I found a place that looked promising (roadside parking for Chimney Beach) and stopped (1245).  This decision gave me a chance to take my first real pictures of Lake Tahoe!  Instead of descending all of the way down to the water, I hiked around on some of the trails nearby.  Everything looked so great!  After getting back in the car, I drove north again.  As before, there were several places where I hoped to stop but I was unable - most of the roadside overlooks were one way entry only from the southbound side.  The most promising opportunity came when I reached Sand Beach, which was located inside a prominent State Park facility.  However, the $15 entry fee was not enticing.  Instead, I drove a little farther north until I could park along the side of the road.  This turned out to be Emerald Beach and, with such a beautiful vista (by now, the weather was perfect), I took a chance of violating the parking rules and walked on the bike trail that paralleled the road (1315).  (Note - I believe this was called the Tahoe East Shore Trail.).  During this brief stop, I got some good photos.  After that, I continued driving north until I reached the town of Incline Village (1330).  Once again, I encountered many more parking rules and fees there.  However, after checking all the lots, I found an area with cars parked and no meters nearby.  A local lady who was just getting into her car told me that it was free and that she parked there every day for her morning walk.  Trusting this advice, I made my way south on the sidewalk through the parking lot.  Along the way, I talked to the driver of a TART bus (it only services towns in the North Tahoe area) and then encountered signs that read "Bonanza Parking Lot" and "Ponderosa Ranch".  (Note - I later learned that this was the site of a "Historical Park" that was loosely associated with the "Bonanza" TV show until it closed in 2004; I texted Mollie about this because she loved the show).  Next, I explored the area nearby and, behind the Tunnel Creek Cafe, found the Flume Trail Mountain Bikes business.  Sadly, it was closed - seems like mountain biking would be a good activity in this area...  Nearby, I found signs for the Monkey Rock (I'd read about it online) and decided to hike up there (1345).  The trail began as part of (paved) Tunnel Creek Road but then turned into a dirt path.  I had no map and got different answers from other people about length, elevation and viewpoints.  Fortuitously, there were views of the Lake and surrounding mountains all the way up - I was not disappointed.  All the high peaks around me had snow and the lake was shimmering in the sun.  During this hike, I only saw a few people on the way.  One, a lady from Thailand, asked me a lot of questions...  The higher I got, the more amazing the views were.  At the top of the trail, I found a pile of huge boulders and some snow/ice (1415).  As I was marveling at the peace and solitude, I realized I was not alone.  This realization led me to meet and older couple, Don & Sandy (from Dayton, OH, who had been visiting Markleeville, CA because it was named for someone with their last name).  I spent some quality time relaxing and talking with them until I noticed the Thai lady.  She was searching all around near the summit and then asked us where the Monkey Rock was.  None of us knew but I later learned that it had been located only about 50 feet from where I was sitting (Note - I never saw it but have heard that other hikers have had the same experience).  As I started my descent to the road, I stopped to help a young lady (and her husky) with photos.  I then walked downhill again, using a steep shortcut that made the return much easier.  For the third time, I encountered the Thai woman and we talked a lot longer - she showed me her photo of the Monkey Rock, which she had actually found on her own, and I realized what I'd missed.  Oh well...  By 1515, I'd found my car and departed the area.  Before making my way back to the south, I drove around near the waterfront of Incline Village,  There was, apparently, no public beach in the town, even though there was a long strand of pretty sand.  In the same area, I noticed a LOT of fancy houses - I'd heard that "Billionaires Row" (featuring Mark Zuckerberg) was nearby.  Before long (1530), I found the North Tahoe Visitor Center (on NV-28) and made a stop for maps and local information.  The guy who worked there shared a lot of good detail, including me possibly renting in the area.  By 1545, I was back on NV-28 and headed south again - I didn't stop at all and soon reached US-50.  After descending from the Spooner Summit area, I started thinking about attending Mass (scheduled for 1700 in Zephyr Cove).  With time still left to kill, I started looking for Cave Rock, which I figured out was right where US-50 passes through a tunnel on the edge of a cliff.  To view the landmark, I was fortunate to find a boat launch - got some photos from that location at 1610.  Sadly, this parking lot also had lots of signs about restrictions and fees.  Keeping my (unpaid) parking spot in view, I briefly talked to some fishermen who informed me that they were having some good luck with trout.  My next stop was at Zephyr Cove Resort, where I learned about their tour boats (open year round because Lake Tahoe doesn't freeze).  I got information about upcoming day trips and dinner cruises on Emerald Bay.  While in the resort area, I walked on Sunset Beach and watched sun drop below the mountains on the horizon (1620).  Next, I drove south in search of access to Nevada Beach.  After finding a parking area along Elks Point Road, I left my car near the (closed) State Park entrance and walked down to the water (1635).  Wow!  I was treated to beautiful views of the southern end of the lake.  In the west, the Sierras were silhouetted by the sun, which hadn't fully set below the horizon on the California coast.  There were brilliant colors on the hills inside the Heavenly Mountain Resort (reds on the mountains that were taller than lakeside).  While watching this spectacular scene, I touched the water and found it to be chilly but not too cold.  When the air itself got colder (without the warming sun), I walked back to my car and then drove a short distance to Our Lady of Tahoe (arrived at 1645).  The Mass started at 1700 and I enjoyed the service.  The building seemed very rustic (it fit in with the rugged Sierras, I think) and my fellow parishioners (there weren't very many) seemed to be a good mix of local and visitor. After it ended (1755), I drove back into town.  Like last night, it was difficult to get into parking lot ("Lot Full" signs) but I managed to find a spot on the 5th deck (1810).  Hoping to beat the dinner rush, I skipped going to my room and, instead, walked across the street to the Golden Nugget so I could get some food at the Saltgrass Steakhouse (a favorite of our family when we lived in Texas).  I ordered a new beer (on tap) and the soup and salad combo.  At the crowded bar, I was sitting next to couple from Gardnerville (in the Carson River Valley).  They gave me lots of good information about conditions for residents (it was clear that they really liked where they lived).  Everyone else in the restaurant (and, apparently, all the parking garages nearby) was there for a "farm team" of the Las Vegas Golden Nights, the Tahoe Knight Monsters.  The people I talked with had season tickets and the games were played at the Tahoe Blue Event Center.  Therefore, it wasn't surprising that the bar cleared out suddenly (1845), when the fans departed for the game. I left the restaurant myself at 1855.  As I walked back across the street to Bally's, I noticed that it had gotten really cold (low 30s).  In my room, I did some reading, Duolingo and blogging.  To top off the evening, I watching movies.  Bedtime was at 2315.  Despite the small heart attack I had in the morning about my car, today was a perfect day at Lake Tahoe!