We arrived in Roseville for an overnight stay with our RV parked at the home of friends Mike and Arla, and their very friendly cat, Frank. They are a dear couple who moved north about 9 years ago. They are both involved in serving at their church, Creekside. They invited us to join their “home group” for a progressive dinner which was so fun. The next morning we attended Sunday Service with them.
Mike still helps our church by posting our weekly service to our podcast, in addition to his part time job as the maintenance man at his church.We had done some minor damage to our awning when we parked too close to a roof-line overhanging a sidewalk. Mike was so gracious to help Steve get that working again and taping over the damage until we can replace some parts. It was great to have help from Mike to diagnose and fix the awning motor!
Tahoe
Continuing East we arrived at South Lake Tahoe as a thunder storm hit our campground. Once again we had some trouble, this time with getting our sewage tank to drain. We went ahead and settled into our campsite while trying to trouble shoot this new problem. Steve was unsettled most of the night and prayed for the Lord to help us out! Steve was impressed to try to release the tank valve, which he did, into a bucket. Fortunately the valve seems to work, and he took the waste to the bathhouse to dispose of it in the toilet. He thinks the dump station is just set up with a very unlevel area. We will see when we arrive at the next RV Park! We are having a great trip but we have had a string of small challenges on the road- the awning, the holding tanks, a leaky faucet that is now turned off!
Bird Watching
In South Lake Tahoe we are spotting more BIRDS in our campground:
An Eagle nest occupied by 2 adults and a juvenile is in the tree just behind our site. We were able to see one of the parents and the juvenile in the nest while the other parent flew directly overhead!
Western tanager, Stellar jays, Doves
And a White headed woodpecker were also sighted!
Hiking, Driving and History
Van Sickle Bi-State Park
A local recommended this Waterfall Hike 
that led us along a winding trail up the mountain to awesome panoramic views of South Lake Tahoe! The waterfall was small and hidden into the hill but since it was our destination it kept us moving forward up the hill! After every switch back of the trail the views of the lake were more spectacular!
Donner Museum
A drive up the west side of Lake Tahoe provided more lake views and a visit to Donner Museum for some history on the Donner Party’s tragic wagon trip west. The museum does a great job of explaining how the travelers got delayed and then took a new and controversial alternate route. Because they were delayed, they arrived at the Sierras too late in the season. A 100 year record snowfall trapped them in the mountains and most of the party did not survive.
On our way back to our campsite we enjoyed dinner at Garwoods, a fun lakeside restaurant that we have enjoyed in the past.
An evening view of Emerald Bay with the mountains in the background was a special treat for us! Down in the lower right you will see the boat, Dixie II which you will read more about below!
Grover Hot Springs State Park
This waterfall hike was in another section of forest impacted by wildfires a couple of years ago. The area of the park that contains the hot springs is still closed. We enjoyed a picnic lunch overlooking a delightful meadow which can be walked through by way of the boardwalk which bisects it. While our hike led us through some burn areas, the waterfall at the end of the trail was spectacular.
Tallac Historical Site
This site located adjacent to our campsite, features several buildings one of which is the Baldwin Museum. We took the time to explore the history of the wealthy families who bought up vast amounts of land adjacent to the lake to build their summer “cottages”. Because this land was held privately, and ultimately donated to the state by families who did not want to see it logged out, but wanted to preserve it for all to enjoy, we can explore this area of old growth trees.
Beaches along the shore still bear the names of the families who built their summer homes here: Baldwin beach, Pope Beach. Mr. Baldwin was one of the wealthiest men of his time and held property not only in Tahoe but also Los Angeles. He also owned and developed Santa Anita Racetrack.
We never knew this aspect of the history of Lake Tahoe. This historic site was a hidden gem!
The weather was cool during the days, but very sunny with some afternoon clouds and thunderstorms. Lots of snow on the mountains still. The water is so clear and beautiful and the sand is an amazing amber color.
Lake Tahoe Dinner Cruise
We enjoyed a relaxing evening for our last night in Tahoe aboard the MS Dixie II.
During a very smooth Lake Tahoe cruise from Zephyr Cove on the Nevada Shore to Emerald Bay on the California side, we were served a delicious three course dinner, strolled the upper deck for sunset views of Emerald Bay and on the return leg of the three hour cruise listened to some lively music with the band “Shac, Mac and the Rhythm Attack,” a very talented two man band!
On to Reno
Art, Architecture, Automobiles
A stroll along the River Walk, not only gave great views of the Truckee River but also architecture, both old and new. The city is home to many murals and works of art, underscoring the city’s emphasis on Public Art.
”While the term may evoke images of bronze statues, public art can take on a wide variety of forms and sizes. Some public art is temporary and some permanent. Often, public art is site-specific--created for a particular place or community--and can include murals, sculpture, integrated architectural work, benches, bike racks, and performances and festivals. Public Art is free and accessible to everyone.”
National Automobile Museum
Reno, NV
-a unique journey through the story of the automobile.
A great collection of more than 225 rare, one-of-a-kind, experimental, antique and collector cars. WOW! While Steve read the description for just about every car, I took lots of pictures!
Steve headed out on a “180 day trip around the world” in an old touring car while I consulted with Elvis on the finer points of his Cadillac!
Innovations: Gas Pumps and Electric Vehicles
“Initially, motorists purchased gasolene (as it was spelled then) from general stores, drug stores and blacksmith shops. Stores stocked fuel in barrels and the vehicle owner would siphon or pump fuel into containers that would then be taken to the vehicle. There were lots of problems with this method of dispensing fuel, safety being number one. Can you imagine handling gasoline in an enclosed shop with a wood stove providing winter heat!
Today, gasoline is no longer obtained from a pump. Large modern stations use what are known as dispensers, and the pump that supplies the gasoline to the dispensers is located in an underground storage tank.” -condensed from the museum's history of the gas pump
Electric vehicles
Our modern electric vehicles are not as new as I thought. We saw an electric vehicle from the early 1900’s.
To bring it to the modern age there was a whole room of Tesla history and innovations. Looking at cars from all eras revealed that nothing is really new, so many inventions and designs that seem current are found on older vehicles and concept cars!
We have enjoyed exploring Tahoe and Reno and finding new adventures. From here we are heading North to Oregon for more Adventures on the Road!
Thanks so much for keeping us in your prayers for health, safety and opportunities to encourage people in the Lord!
