...Sammy surviving the ride up (starting at 5a.m.) and we visit Lauren's aunt, uncle and cousins in Murphys on the way. She made us lunch and showed us around her home. She had some baby chickens that she was raising and trying to keep from being the meals of the nearest wildlife. We made it in to Tahoe around 6p.m. and Greg was there with a MaiTai ready for Jim and I...thirteen hours is a long time to be on the road.
...A trip on the Tahoe Queen where we rode to Emerald Bay, listening to stories of the early days of Tahoe (origin of Squaw Valley, Sinatra's Casino, the oldest bar in Nevada), watched Sammy sleep the entire trip, and we all got sunburned.
...Biking in Camp Richardson and trying to beat the 6p.m. curfew the rental company gave us.
...Jim and I gambling in the casinos on Thursday and winning...and drowning...then trying to find Chris' room with a little too much alcohol in the system. Then falling asleep while everyone else went down for dinner...then sneaking leftovers from an all-you-can-eat restaurant before the manager realizes what is happening.
...Sea-Doos on the calm water...going 35 MPH. Then telling Chris and Lauren we barely got wet while they come back drenched the next day.
...Fireworks on the lake...arriving 10 minutes beforehand (when we were advised to come 12 hours beforehand to save a spot) and getting a perfect spot to see the entire show...Sammy slept through 75% of the show.
...Jim's BBQ of bacon wrapped hot dogs and gourment burgers...um...yeah.
...Gin Rummy and Phase 10.
...keeping Pat away from Sam.
...Rum-runners at Beacons...I hear they were good.
...Wet Woody's at Riva Grill...I know they are good.
...Group betting on baseball parlays and losing every time (once losing every game in the parlay...not easy to do).
...Taking a stab at poker tournaments (again) and finally realizing that cash games in casinos is the only way to use skill. Tournament blinds are raised so frequently and steeply that it really is a luck game.
...Never playing poker again while I was up there.
...The ride back through the 395, which is more wilderness and expanded beauty than the 5 going up...but more two lane highways. Also, leaving at 10:30a.m. is much different than leaving at 5a.m...in Sammy's point of view.
Here are some photos for your enjoyment...
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