Family in Tahoe and Driving the Eastern Sierras

Even before the motorhome went in for service, we planned to drive the Jeep to Lake Tahoe for our nephew's wedding. Not knowing much about the venue, and with possible snow in the forecast, we arranged for Tessa to stay with doggie daycare.

Amazingly little to pack for two put us on the road early Thursday morning. Thunder storms and snow were threatening throughout the Sierras so we opted for the boring but quick Interstate 5 to cover the distance. Traffic was light, we hit very small cells of precipitation, and after a couple fast stops we picked up Hwy 50 in just over five hours. Definitely a "destination and not the journey" travel day! 

Half way up the mountain we hit rain that turned into light snow flurries off and on. Temps dropped to freezing but the road remained free of ice and none of the snow made it to the ground or even the car hood. Both of us have been to South Lake Tahoe, but it has been many years. I was surprised at how "developed" it is. The weather made it gray and mono-chromatic, but still beautiful.

We were most looking forward to seeing extended family and the informal gathering at the hotel's conference room was a wonderful start. Lots of hugs and laughs and catching up.

The morning looked a bit different and it was very cold.

After breakfast with our sister-in-law Marilynn, we returned to the hotel to get ready for the big event.

Fortunately the couple had moved the venue from beach front to a lovely lodge overlooking the lake, and although the skies were overcast there was no rain or snow to dampen the wedding.

The couple requested that no photos be uploaded on the Internet so you'll just have to take my word for how beautiful it was :-)  David is Wayne's only son, and it was very important for Bill to be there for David after his father's passing last year. It was bittersweet for all of us to be together again.

We wrapped up our family visiting with bbq and brews at a house one of the kids rented , and of course more hugs and catching up!! 

Saturday morning was bright and sunny so we continued northeast on Hwy 50 rather than backtracking. When we launch in a couple weeks we are heading up Hwy 395 so we thought this would be a good chance to check out the route, a couple campgrounds, and the condition of the road.

I've only been to Carson Valley once and have always thought I could live there. Seeing it from above furthered that opinion - what a beautiful place!  It has everything you need, yet Gardnerville still maintains that small town feel. Breakfast at a wonderful local café in Minden, and we headed south on Hwy 395.

Love the mountains on all sides of town

The Cowboy Café in Minden, cute and tasty

The Eastern Sierras never disappoint, but with the addition of new snow all around the drive was especially beautiful. I probably said "Wow!" at least a couple dozen times.

We stopped and took some pics at the Fremont historic marker at Devil's Gate, made a pit stop at the June Lake cutoff, and checked out a couple campgrounds in Bishop.

My favorite kind of snow - off the highway

At the Fremont marker, Devil's Gate

Mono Lake

With a layer of clouds resting on top of the entire range, it was difficult to make out Mt Whitney as the highest. But when we stopped for lunch in Lone Pine there it was right behind the Totem Café. Actually it's "right behind" all of Lone Pine.

Miles of beautiful

Lunch was very good and the people watching was just as good. From the three young filmmakers editing on their laptop next to us, to the backpackers and horseback riders on the main street, Lone Pine is a very active little town.

Mt Whitney just hanging out in the back

Horses instead of skateboards for the locals

 The rest of the trip saw a decrease of visual interest and an increase in wind. By the time we reached the Antelope Valley we were back to flat and brown, and the winds were gusting at 35 mph. It will be so nice to cover this same route and have 10 days to do it!

Random bump of red

Coming to the end of the mountains

It was good to get out of the Jeep, it was good to see Richie and Tessa, and it was good knowing it's the last time we'll return to the apartment from a trip :-))))

18 more days.