Visit to Lake Tahoe
Jump into the freedom.
Summer season was almost over and the list of visited placed did not seem very impressive. Sitting in the center of San Francisco with three friends, we have been discussing at least some nearby places to have a quick look. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego… and one quiet Lake Tahoe…
Let us go to see Lake Tahoe…
From the first sight, the idea did not seem to be a lot of fun for four young friends; however, majority supported it and the “day X” was planned. Early in the morning, we left San Francisco to get to Nevada State to see Tahoe. Trying to make up some adventures, we did not create anything better, than picnic under the open air…
It took us around three and half hours to be in Nevada, which from the border was so green, as it is unreal, but painted by an artist. Extremely beautiful and breathtaking landscapes and views. Plenty of different places to eat we passed by, seeing privately owned houses with family, doing barbecue among the trees in the mountains. It already increased our interest, thinking to do the same. Prices for private houses for rent were obviously high, and mostly not available in current lifetime, that is how we actually stayed in the hotel, named Knights Inn. The prices we found were $60 per night, which was a good deal, reminding there were four of us staying together. The room looked nice and clean, what was certainly responding even more than we paid. At the front desk, employee told us there is a pool and a hot tub working until 10 pm! We did not really pay attention, as were planning to go to the beach and swim in the lake, what we came for…
We dropped our stuff in the room and went see what we had. Google maps did show us there was a beach right across the hotel. What can I say? Beautiful view, many boats and other entertainment, but not the place for swimming for sure. People, working at the pier advised to go see the other beach nearby; where almost the same time, the man, responsible for parking told us” “Hey, that is Dogs’ beach”. We did not realized what he meant and set our JPS with the destination, given. It took us approximately 20 minutes to get to the destination – Kiva Beach, where all four of us, happy and ready to swim directed to the water. The beach was beautiful; this was truly wonderful place for dogs and other animals to have fun near the water. We have been looking to see the nice spot to swim, but no… Probably not this time…
After failure to swim we rapidly started googling the “Best Beaches of Tahoe” to see at least one, where we can achieve the goal we came for. Relying on the pictures, found by Google, “Sand Harbor” was the most convenient and quiet impressive for all of us to spend 30 more minutes to get there to see. On the entrance, we were requested to pay $12, so you probably have understood, we decided to get joy for the way more than $12. Being honest beach was absolutely amazing! Landscape is decorated with variety of stones, huge and small, which are reflected in Tahoe waters and make the picture even more unreal. With no hesitation, we climbed up those stones, checking our physical condition and taking cool pictures to be able to show off. Surroundings made me believe it was the point close to paradise, however, one more thing did not let me relax completely – we came to the second deepest lake in the United States, we need to go in the water! It took us a while to persuade every single one to go in the water, as time was around 5 pm; and also taking into account the fact, that the lake is surrounded by rocks, not sun was expected to be at that time. Water was rather chill, but the idea “Oh my god, I am swimming in the Lake Tahoe” did not let me come out too soon before getting pleasure of being there. We have spent there more than hour and as soon as it got cold, we changed and left the beach promising to be back.
<SHAMELESS PLUG – Thanks to ALLSTARTRAVEL – in helping to fund the trip!>
After a complicated day, driving all the time, searching for everything, starting with nice place to stay and finishing the beach to swim we were looking for place to eat. “Chevy’s” has become our spot, because it was one of not many places serving food so late. As for me, meal was got is absolute winner in comparison with many other things I ate while living in the US. For $18, I got huge plate with all variety of meats and salads on a side. It was very pleasant and good after such a difficult day and for sure justified the money we paid for it!
Now I will tell you about the favorite part, which completely hypnotized my friends, so we almost lost half of our team – the HOT TUB and swimming pool. I cannot even express it in words how happy these young men were, when after arriving back to the hotel they found those two water spots. Running between hot tub and the pool captured us right before the front desk agent could kick us out around 10 pm. Nevertheless, moments, spent there were of absolute happiness for all us.
Therefore, being in a good mood, we took a shower and moved to gamble to the closest casino nearby. As we figure out not all casinos have “Poker” there, only the “Harvey’s Hotel & Casino” had tables opened… Not surprisingly would be to say: “We did not win a lot of money”… “We did not win money at all, even …” However, it does not really matter, as it was fairy tale atmosphere inside! I would highly recommend for everybody at least to visit for this wonderful gambling environment…
After such a busy and impressive night, next morning was supposed to be boring and not exciting, before one more brilliant idea did not show up. Skydiving! “Let’s go skydiving” said one of my friends. Initially, the idea did not attract the rest, as it was supposed to cost almost $200 not including the video and photo shoot, however, more we have been talking about it, more people wanted to do it! We read some reviews online and found that the Survival Rate of the Skydiving Lake Tahoe Company was 100%, so it pushed us more in the way to do it and do it right now! On the way of preparation, all those signed documents in addition to scary warning videos, but we were persuasive and at the height of 14000 feet we did it!!! Crazy and unforgettable jump blown my mind… I felt being a little bird flying down so fast… I would send my best regards to Batman and Kat – two wonderful professional instructors with whom we have jumped! They were amazing. Nice conversations, jokes and just simple sense of being in safe hands relaxed us, so we could enjoy our jump, “Jump into the freedom”.
After that jump, I honestly doubted everything in the world, because it really captured my heart and all emotions with it. We have been driving around beautiful landscape, but I did not really pay attention to it. Coming out on the screen of the cellphone “Horsetail” waterfall nearby, lazy and unemotional skydivers rapidly turned into the brave adventurers! We checked Google maps and went there. Upon arrival, all cellphones were dead and having no maps we actively started climbing the rocks up and up. It took us about two hours to get to the highest point closest to the waterfall, including time for all arguments and wish of some people (me) to return back, as I was scared to see any wild animals and get in trouble. We got there! View was amazing, so scary and so lonely, but at the same time so breathtaking… We have made hundreds of pictures and hurried to return, not to stay in the forest at night. How surprised we were after realizing it was not THAT HORSE TAIL waterfall, but I can firmly state, Horsetail at “Emerald State Park”, where were actually have been is a beautiful place, with amazing views and the waterfall is amazing as well, so if your GPS also invites you there, trust it and go – you will never regret! Probably, other Horsetail with its fire sunlight at the sunset would be even more mind blowing, but – next time!
The same night we were returning home, but that fresh, green and natural Lake Tahoe trip will always be in my heart, as it brought me incredible feelings and introduced such a remarkable place on our planet to visit!