Lake Tahoe: The Last, Best Place
Written: Mar 23 '00 (Updated Feb 13 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Probably the most beautiful spot in the USA.
Cons: Slowly becoming more congested - pricey.
The Bottom Line: It's the last, best place for beauty in the contiguous 48 states.
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| counsel's Full Review: Lake Tahoe |
I saw Lake Tahoe for the first time in February, 1998. As I wound around the mountain road circling the lake, watching the snowflakes gently drift down, I was in a dream world. I silently affirmed Mark Twain's comment that at Tahoe, a piece of heaven had fallen on earth.
Maybe it's because I'm from hot, humid, flat southeast Texas, and I'm overreacting to the change in landscape. But - I think I simply have the means to better appreciate the beauty, since so little of what's at Tahoe is here at home. But I've visited twice since then, and my feelings about this place have only grown stronger. Picture a huge, blue, crystal-clear lake surrounded by alpine majesty. The California-Nevada border neatly bisects the lake. Rustic cabins and beautiful, lodge-like homes dot the area as you drive the circle around the lake; the total circuit took about two hours (allowing for sightseeing time) in the summertime. The same drive takes much longer in the winter; slow speeds are the rule then, and some of the road surrounding the lake may be closed due to snowfall (or even, on one occasion I know of, an avalanche that spilled over onto the road).
All the serenity has asterisks: Huge hotel casinos stand over the shoreline in South Tahoe on the Nevada side of the border. This includes Caesar's Palace, Harras, Harveys and a number of other names usually associated with the Las Vegas casino scene. There is also the novel Cal-Neva club once owned by Frank Sinatra - the state line goes through the middle of the club (and bisects the bar) - all the slots and gambling paraphernalia are on the Nevada side, and though the California side of the bar closes comparatively early, the Nevada side stays open all night. The larger towns (Tahoe City and Incline Village) can get crowded both in ski season and in the summertime.
My favorite eatery on the lake is Llewellyn's, located on the top floor of Harvey's hotel and casino. The restaurant takes advantage of its preferential location; there are no walls, only giant picture windows looking out on the lake. Having dinner at sunset provides some of the most spectacular views I've ever seen.
And most people agree with my choice of "Most Beautiful Spot" on the lake - the falls by Emerald Bay on the California side give a person a true appreciation of natural beauty and a memory that can (almost) be recalled whenever one closes their eyes.
Lodging at Tahoe is typically expensive (surprise), but try some of the travel newsgroups - an email aptly placed can get you some surprisingly low rates on rental homes, condos or cabins if the timing's right. For those people who don't mind a short - and beautiful - drive to the lake, go to Reno, Nevada and grab some of the deals offered by the hotel casinos there. Some of the prices are next to unbelievable. Once settled in Reno, take the gorgeous drive past Mt. Rose west on highway 431 to the lake - the highway is open both winter and summer; it's the highest mountain pass that's open 365 days per year, excluding avalanche conditions.
One of my favorite web sites (I check it daily) is run by Harvey's - it's a live web cam shot of Lake Tahoe along with current weather conditions. You'll find it at http://www.harveys-tahoe.com/Cam.html. Also, try http://www.laketahoe.com for a general listing of vacation rentals, attractions and events year-round.
I still have my "Last, Best Place" t-shirt folded up in my drawer for just the right day. When the muggy Houston air turns crisp, or there seems to be a break in the smog, I put it on, and dream of Tahoe.
I wish it weren't so far away.
The Tahoe link at the top of this page leads you to other reviews of Lake Tahoe. After rating this review, please click on these opinions to see contrasting views on this topic.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
counsel
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Dwight
Location: Houston
Reviews written: 117
Trusted by: 499 members
About Me:
If I smell flowers, I start looking around for a coffin.
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