I Left my Heart in South Lake Tahoe

Thinking back, I believe the last out-of-town getaway that Scott and I went on was our delightful trip to the Russian River with the Creegers in May of 2008. It was a beautiful place and super relaxing, but I also remember it being studded with bouts of morning sickness for me and Keri's heart was a little achy because she had never been away from Mazzy (who was not even 2 yet) for that long before. The time before that, I believe it was our five day San Francisco adventure in June of 2007.  Needless to say, we were long overdue for some extended alone time and with limited funds, we were desperate to plan a little trip, just the two of us, without breaking the bank. I would have loved to stay at the beach for two nights. I miss the ocean and being lulled to sleep by the sound of nearby waves is something I've been craving badly. However, I just couldn't find a place that seemed charming enough at the right price. So, I put my ocean dreams to bed and settled on finding a place to stay in South Lake Tahoe.  Tahoe is a longtime love of mine and holds sentimental value for both Scott and I (Der Ingwerbrot Haus!). The scenery is beautiful, the air and cool blue water is clean and crisp, and it smells like camping.  After finding a cheap place to stay, I decided that I wouldn't plan the heck out of our 2 days together. This was mostly because we didn't have the money to book lake cruises and zip line trips, so I knew we'd have to take advantage of what nature had to offer fo' free, which doesn't require reservations.

Below is a photo journal of my favorite places and activities -  some free, some cheap and most definitely including food:

1.  Wild Wednesdays at The Beacon Bar & Grill.  We come here for the atmosphere, view and Rum Runners (just $5 on Wednesdays)!

 

2.  968 Park Hotel.  Lake Tahoe's "green" hotel.  A quaint and quirky hotel offering character and comfort.  Their "Summer Special" (30% off two or more midweek nights) brought our nightly rate down to $76! And we learned at checkout that repeat customers automatically get 20% off future stays.

3.  Taylor Creek Visitor Center and the Rainbow Loop Nature Trail. My sister and I love to take our kids on this trail because it's an easy 1/2 mile walk with a Stream Chamber Profile halfway through that shows a diverted section of the stream underwater (Like a HUGE aquarium). For Scott and I it was a great way to stretch our legs after lunch and take in some beautiful sights.

4.  Lakeside Beach.  It's privately owned with access to those who live and stay in the surrounding neighborhood (we received passes from our hotel).  This is an amazing place to view the sunset.  When we arrived, just before our reservations at their Grill (not recommended), there were so many people parked on benches with their cameras waiting for the grand event.  It was truly beautiful. Reminded me so much of Hawaii, the way the whole beach just glowed.  They also have a playground on the beach which I thought was great for those with small children.

5.  Lam Watah Trail to Nevada State Beach.  A 2.2 mile long (roundtrip) hike/walk through beautiful meadows and forest to a lovely beach and campground.

6.  Freshie's Restaurant. Tasty good-for-you food, nice beer selection, wonderful view and al fresco dining on their rooftop deck make for a very enjoyable dining experience.

Sesame Chicken Salad and Fish Taco

Fish Taco Plate

7.  The Brewery.  With an inviting outside dining area, I've always wanted to try this place.  Unfortunately, when we arrived and were seated outside, the sun was low and staring us right in the face, so we opted for a cooler table inside instead.  It didn't matter though, the "Bad Ass" pizza  was so delicious and the drinks were good too!

Bad Ass Ale and Mai Tai

Spicy white sauce topped with garlic, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, Canadian bacon, Parmesan cheese, chicken and fresh basil

 

8.  Magic Carpet Miniature Golf.  Mini Golf and a photo booth...just plain ole' fashioned fun!