So the Lake Tahoe area is getting it’s share of Snowpocalypse 2011. Seriously, in the last 3 days it has had over 4 feet of fresh powder dumped on the slopes. Perfect time for a ski trip!! After all, I haven’t been skiing since 2008 and it would be a pity to waste such a beatiful storm. All I could think about at work was tearing up the slope, or as the locals from So. Cal say, “Shredding the Nar Nar”!
So a friend and I flew from Nashville to Reno on a 6:15PM flight. We collected out ski gear at the airport and headed to rental car counter. We quickly realized that due to the copius amounts of frozen precipitation, our standard choice of transportation would not be suitable for the road conditions. We upgraded to a 4WD SUV and were hastily on our way.
On the road to winter wonderland, and it’s only 11PM local time. I guess that’s the price you pay when you take a flight after work. We are feeling pretty comfortable in our 4WD vehicle until we saw local police working several accidents. Cars in ditches and ice on the roads can be a little intimidating for a Southern boy. We continue to make the 30 mile trek up the mountain at a blistering 20 Mph. After a quick stop at the 24hr Jack-in-the-Box for a well deserved spicy chicken biscuit, we are back on the road. Now this was not our average spicy chicken biscut, it was a custom order. It was chicken, fried egg, and American cheese. This may sound unappealing to some, but since it had been 6hrs since my last meal I was ready the eat the South end of a North bound mule. Back on the road, and this time we are up to 30 Mph this time.
Passing thru Carson City now and I can tell we are getting close…because I see CASINOS!!! We drive thru “the strip” after we pass both casinos. Remind me to visit the $2.99 Prime Rib special sometime, because there’s no way that could be the worst late night decision you will ever make.
Getting really close now because I see a sign for the California state line. We pass the sign and the GPS immediately tells us to turn left. Really? Yes, really. The Embassy Suites parking lot is partially in Nevada and partially in California. We check-in and quickly opt-out of the $25 per day parking fee, and instead park our rig in the free Harrah’s parking lot across the street. There’s no way that we’ll need a shovel get it out next week, right?
We finally arrive so off to bed. Since it’s 2AM and that’s what most people do at this time. I guess flying down a mountain with a piece of wood strapped to your feet doesn’t require much rest or mental alertness. I’m just sayin’…