Napa to Lake Tahoe, California

These last weeks of the trip have been 'winged'. We had no real plans to go to Napa or anywhere in particular once we reached the west coast. 

In the name of relaxing before we fly home we agreed to spend several days in LA, but then the accommodation prices meant that four days in Las Vegas was less than two in LA, not to mention the difference in parking your car ($40 per night in LA, $0 in Vegas). So - Las Vegas it is. On the way we decided to visit Lake Tahoe, which has incredibly cheap accommodation right now as they are between seasons, like Jackson. 

We left Napa under cool, foggy skies, and stopped at Vacaville, one of the big Simon outlet malls. It was lovely and quiet and we could shop and pay without lining up. Last time we were here with the girls it was extremely busy by early afternoon. 

The Californian sun dissipated the fog and left a wide blue sky and a warm day. 

I have found a new favourite drive - the I80 up into the mountains - wide, concrete, fast, snow capped mountains rising quickly in the distance, flanked by pine forests, brilliant blue sky above. 

I'm such a California girl. 

Our first peek at Lake Tahoe was exciting - it was obviously much bigger than I'd ever imagined. The drive from Tahoe City in the north to South Lake Tahoe and across the Nevada border to the Hard Rock Hotel was peppered with great views of the mountains, the lake shore and the epic forests. There are all manner of houses here - from walled stone chalets to tiny cottages built early last century, camping grounds and hotels old and new. 

The going was a little stop-start due to several sections of roadwork being carried out now after the snow melt. 

We reached our hotel, checked in and headed out into the rapidly cooling evening for dinner. The town is similar to our ski towns, and to Aspen and Jackson. Lots of hire places, shops selling shirts emblazoned with the town name, and restaurants. Some of the businesses were closed for the down time between the winter and summer crowds, but we found a cool burger joint with outside seating around a fire pit and a live band. 

The next day we hired bikes and rode around the lake a little further to Nevada Beach, a lovely camping area right on the water. 

The lake is enormous - even flying around its coastline would have taken most of the day!