Over the years, Jim introduced Pam to a long list of junior high and high school buddies he has stayed in contact with; and I and along with their spouses were inducted into this tight knit group ... amazing friendships have grown even stronger over the years.
Last winter when we started planning our 2013 Spring RV Trip 6,000+ mile route; we had to include a visit to Reno, NV where Jim's junior high school friend Jimmy and his wife Sue reside.
McTraveler made the drive from Elko, NV to Reno, NV which unveiled greener scenery and climbing altitude as we approached the Sierra Nevadas traveling along the Humboldt River and then over the Truckee River. We settled into the Gold Ranch Casino and RV Resort* on 350 Gold Ranch Rd., Verdi, NV 89439. We really liked this campground that's nestled into the foothills of the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It's located on the western outskirts of Reno which was a short drive to see Jimmy and Sue.
Jimmy is also retired and graciously played the grand tour guide as Sue had to work the first couple of days of our visit. Day one tour starts with Incline Village and Lake Tahoe where there is so much to see and do. Jim, growing up as a California boy, had been here several times; but it was my first and found the area just breath taking with it's alpine mountain views and was amazed at the size and depth of the pristine lake. For lunch, we drove down to South Lake Tahoe where you can stand on the street corner with one foot in Nevada and the other in California; but California claims this city.
Day 2, with Jimmy still in tour guide mode, put us on a paddle boat cruise of Lake Tahoe. He took us to Zephyr Cove along the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe to board the MS Dixie II. We left the Zephyr Cove dock and meandered across the lake to Emerald Bay on the California side. Emerald Bay provided the setting for one of the first summer homes at Lake Tahoe in 1863. Vikingsholm is a magnificent castle built at Emerald Bay in 1929 and can be toured. We so enjoyed the day on the water ... a little cool, but still a perfect day to take in the picturesque scenery and enjoy an old friend's company.
After the cruise we stopped at a famous local landmark in the state capital of Carson City, Red's Old 395 Grill, reknown for their BBQ. You walk into this fine establishment and you're immediately slapped in the face with sensory overload ... you don't know where to look first! It's a fun, quirky BBQ hangout with 101 beers on tap ... I had a smile plastered to my face and lickin' my lips with this stop.
Finally we got to spend time with Sue too; so we all take off for Virginia City, NV which is about 30 miles south of Reno. Virginia City was a stopover for eastern emigrants traveling onto California. It developed into an overnight boomtown when the first major silver deposit, the Comstock Lode, discovery was made public in 1859. President Lincoln pushed through statehood for Nevada (even though the population was legally too low to do so) to help fund the Civil War. There's a history lesson on every corner in this town ... even Mark Twain wrote from here. After a morning of touring the town, we HAD to stop in the old ice cream parlor for a cold treat. Those who know Jim, knows he's an ice cream addict. What a fun day we had together in the old pioneer mining town.
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| Sue and Jimmy |
Jim and I both have been blessed with long term friendships, and we cherish this one too. So we thank Jimmy and Sue for taking time to make this reunion so special. Having a personal tour guide sure spoiled us! We loved our time with you and hope you will join us for a ride along in McTraveler very soon.
And we thank you, our readers, for following our adventures. Stay tuned for the next destination; and until then we wish you safe travels!
Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie
*Note: Our campground has since changed their name to Gold Ranch Verdi Casino which we recommend if you're in the area.
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