Day 1 - Getting there can be "fun"

So, for anyone who does not know it, Lake Tahoe is a "hike" from DC and we made it into a "trek". We departed from IAD and boarded our lavish American Air Boeing 737 - circa 1960 - plane. Relaxed in our comfortable coach class chairs, we booted up the iPods and headed off to "vacation" never never land. 5 hours later we arrived in LA - for a 2 hour layover to lovely Reno, Nevada. From LAX, our Bombadier 400 twin engine prop carried us out over the Pacific and then back over the Sierras to a "topsy turvy" landing in 50 mile per hour winds -- could this be a pre-cursor of the next leg of the trip?

We de-planed, greeted by our "fan base"-- which was very brief -- and proceeded to the Hertz Gold Desk to pick up -- no, no -- not a minivan, but a fully fledged "ski sled" -- Ford EXPLORER. As we are filling out the paper work, I asked the the Hertz agent -- "How were the roads to Tahoe? ". As she wiped the tears from her eyes, and stopped sobbing she said, "Terrible, I just drove in from San Francisco and you need chains and a strong will." -- I looked at Joan and said, "Don't worry, I have been trained well, driving in DC traffic is like driving in a "white-out" -- little did I know that my training would come in handy.

As we drove south of 395 to Lake Tahoe, it was raining and about 42 degrees, as we exited to US 50 and started up the pass, the temps dropped to the low 30's and the winds started gusting to 50 - 60 miles per hour -- Nice. The "blinking" road signs appeared and said --"Snow tires, chains and a Steady Hand needed to clear the pass." Gulp -- it had become true -- I was now going to be challenged once again. Up the mountain pass, winds blowing, snow coming down by the buckets -- I turned to Joan and said -- "Its going to be great skiing tomorrow." thinking that is if we can get there tonight.

As we moved through the mountains, a bunch of cars and trucks were pulling off to the side of the road -- I thought "Wimps, not East Coast hardened." Steady hand, and closed eyes we trudged forward. We had the usual small talk. "Did we update the wills?" "Could we survive the night on a single bag of "Sun Chips"? Tom thought, "Yes, if we share them based on our relative weight."

As we crested the top of the pass, the light on the other side was not South Lake Tahoe, but a jack-knifed trailer, that we carefully navigated. Joan kept tabs on the remaining mileage -- according to Garmin, only 10 more miles... we are almost there.

Once we got down to the lake level, things improved, the locals were all passing us at break neck speed and showering our "EXPLORER" with snow, mud, and everything else that comes with a major storm. We cheerfully raised our single finger salute in recognition of their kindness and generosity.

Off in the horizon, what started to emerge were the most "glorious" welcoming lights -- Harrah's Casino rising above the trees. We celebrated - "Civilization. Gambling, Skiing" -- we are saved!

Before ending the "trek" we stopped by the Safeway to load up for the week. Yes, Mr. Smith its going to be a glorious week of skiing, now that we are "safe" in our little piece of heaven -- Lake Tahoe Vacation Resort."