Lake Tahoe advice

[jonesthecurl]

So we're off for a weekend at Lake tahoe in about two weeks. We have teens with us, plus Grandma who doesn't get about too well. We have to hit Reno on the way (we're coming from the south). Where would suit everyone? (oh,we're all pretty foodie types,though the curlette is veggie)

[muy_thaiguy]

Only been there once, and it was for my uncle and aunt's wedding anniversary. There are essentially 2 sides to Lake Tahoe. The Nevada side (casinos and probably cheaper hotels and restaurants) and the California side, where there is a handicap accessible steamboat (Tahoe Queen) ride (my own grandmother, who also has issues getting around, was able to get on and off it pretty easily) that gives you a beautiful tour around the lake, with a very nice (but pricey) restaurant right there by it. Oh, and just a heads up, Lake Tahoe is 6,500 ft above sea level, so if you or your family are not used to altitude, you may get a bit short of breath quicker than usual. There are wheelchairs available for Grandma (trust me, they're handy). But the scenery at Lake Tahoe is incredible and the Lake itself is gorgeous!

For Reno, only been there a few times, and most of that was either at my uncle's wedding at a hotel, at a movie theater during Christmas, or at the Wyoming-Nevada game.

[jonesthecurl]

Yeah, the reno bit is just to pick up th curlson.

[BigBallinStalin]

Google map: Lake Tahoe. Scroll down toward the junction between 89 and 50.

Go along Pope Beach Rd., and at the end is a nice place to hang out.
You can also take Beach Dr. (in the "Tahoe Keys," i.e. the marina), find a parking spot, and check out the 'beach'. (It's a nice beach, complete with coarse sand, on the lake).

Zoom out, and look along the 89 (Emerald Bay Rd.). Keep taking that west, keep going up where it zig-zags around Cascade Lake. As you keep driving up the mountain and past Emerald Bay, on your right, you'll find spots to pull over and gaze at the glory of Lake Tahoe. The higher you go, the better the scenery. In between Meeks Bay and Rubicon Bay, there's some more nice spots.

Also, if you can, do this at night, stop at the spots overlooking the lake, and gaze upon the stars. It's a great opportunity to adore celestial bodies. (if you leave the kids at the room with grandma, then sexual exploits will be on the horizon--with your wife, that is. There's usually no one out there, so I wouldn't recommend doing it with a rock or tree. I've tried, and it's hard). Anyway, while gazing upon the stars, you can also ponder about the Greatness of Isaac Asimov.

[IcePack]

Avoid the Kings Fire off 50

[PLAYER57832]

So we're off for a weekend at Lake tahoe in about two weeks. We have teens with us, plus Grandma who doesn't get about too well. We have to hit Reno on the way (we're coming from the south). Where would suit everyone? (oh,we're all pretty foodie types,though the curlette is veggie)

Been a while since I was there, so I cannot offer much real advice, other than a couple of "generalities."

First, per altitude... Altitude sickness gets more risky once you get above 5000 feet. You cannot really control whether it hits you or not, though being in shape, drinking plenty of water and such help. Be sure to drink PLENTY of water, plarticularly if you drink alchohol there. The alchohol's impact is increased in higher elevation, but you also tend to be even more dehydrated than usual, and since the main reason people get hangovers is actually dehydration... drink PLENTY of water (and a few salty snacks, though don't go overboard on those.. most people today get more than enough salt just eating)! You will probably also eat more than usual. IF YOU FEEL TRULY SHORT OF BREATH, ETC.. take it seriously. Also beware of really nasty headaches. Might just be dehydration or electrolyte imbalance (aka drink and eat), but could be the beginning of altitude sickness. As noted, Lake Tahoe is pretty easy. I, too, went with my then 80 year old grandmother and her entire "old ladies"' church group.

The key to casinos is to just set a limit BEFORE you go in, and stick to it. They are fun to do once or twice. If you tend not to be able to do that, then just take cash andleave all credit cards, etc behind for the time (a lot of credit card slots around the casinos!). (and be sure very casually to point out some of the more negative aspects to your kids... how much money do you think that lady just spent in quarters?)

There used to be a lot of free shows around and about, particularly during the day. Some could be fairly decent.

And, do go out and enjoy the scenery. As a CA native, I was jaded by a lot of what I saw growing up, but Tahoe was still amazing to me, even then.

[jonesthecurl]

I don't think the altitude will be too much of a bother for most of us - we were fine in various bits of Colorado, over a mile up. Thanks for the heads up, though - we'll keep an eye on Grandma.
Plans are evolving: we were going to head to the northern end of the Lake, because we were going to pick up the curlson from Reno and take him back there - he's in Utah, and that looked like a sensible thing. But for some reason flights from SLC to Reno are either (a) almost $600, or (b) via Phoenix or Las Vegas, which are both south of where we live and thus stoopid. So, insane as it sounds, the boy is gonna fly to Oakland and we'll pick him up and drive him there. Which means the southern end of the Lake is a little nearer. It also looks more grandma-friendly.
I don't think any of us are likely to want to go gambling. The idea of credit-card slot machines is frightening, by the way. Slot machines aren't a big thing to Brits - we have them in fish and chip shops so people can while away the wait for their dinner. It always amuses me when resorts think it's enticing to tell me they're only an hour's drive away and they have hundreds of slot machines.