Tahoe Tour 40

September 10-16, 2008

By Linda and Don Evans
The clear morning of September 10 bode well for an exceptional trip to Lake Tahoe.  Linda and I  met Mary Ellen (ME) and Bill Pietz in the Penny’s parking lot in Kelso at 8:30.  After Mary Ellen had passed out a few of Bill’s home-baked cookies, we headed south on I-5.  A wonderful breakfast near Albany, and then away from traffic over Willamette Highway 58.  It was a beautiful drive, passing by several lakes, and enjoying clear temperate weather.  We stopped for a brief break near Chemult before the drive to Klamath Falls, our first fuel stop.

Bill suggested that Don take the lead.  Little did they know that I would take them on a tour of old K. Falls (ala GW).  We got separated and Mary Ellen contacted Linda the old fashion way; cell phone.  The Pietz’s said they would go at a leisurely pace ahead of us until we found our way out of K. Falls.  After driving for ten minutes, I suggested to Linda to contact ME and find out how far ahead of us they were.  Alas, we were ahead, so we waited in Merril 5 minutes before Bill and ME caught up.  Did I know a shortcut or what!!  The open farm and cattle country smelled of fresh cut hay.  Huge farm equipment was moving down the highway, and since it was difficult to see ahead, caution was exercised passing.  We arrived in Alturas, California about 5:30 pm.  We checked in at the Best Western.  After unpacking (and ME dusting off their beautiful Corvette) we walked the four blocks to Anthony’s, a little Italian restaurant.  What a great treat.

Heading out the next morning, Bill decided he would take the lead – so as not to get us lost.  After all, the Pietz had been this way before.  Linda drove while I tried to figure out the navigation system on our Corvette.  About 10 minutes into our journey, I called ME and asked “Are you sure we are going the right way?”  ME replied “Yes, everything is fine”.  Another 5 minutes and I called again “are you really sure, my navigation is showing we are heading north on Hwy 395”.  A minute pause, “Roger that, we wanted to show you this beautiful territory”.  A hasty U-turn and down Hwy 395 – South we went.  Bill and ME went through the California Inspection station first and breezed right through.  When asked if we were carrying any fruit, Linda replied the only fruit we had were the ones just ahead of us who took us on a 13-mile detour.  Then the conversation turned to Corvettes for a minute or so before we left.  Not seeing the Pietz ahead, Linda nailed it – approaching 130 mph before we crested the hill.  The “possum-eating feces” grin on Linda’s face showed she really liked that!  We again charted our way through Alturas and were finally on our way.  A few miles after passing the berg of Likely, we switched drivers.    We stopped at Eagle Lake rest area, where Linda wetted her dry mouth before noticing the “Do Not Drink” sign.  This is not a rest area any of us would recommend.  We made another stop at the Honey Lake rest area 15 minutes further – a beautiful stop.

A stop at Bordertown in Nevada for brunch then on to Carson City where we again fueled.  Next stop – Genoa.  Nevada’s oldest saloon confiscated money from Bill and I as we enjoyed a few cold ones while Linda and ME browsed through the shops.  Then onward to Lake Tahoe via the Kingsbury Grade.  This steep winding road is greatly improved.  Big, wide switchbacks sweep you upward towards the summit.  Viola!  We had arrived in So. Lake Tahoe.  My super navigation system told me – turn left.  Not me! I’m not listening to the female voice again.  I knew we were too close.  On we went, about three miles.  At a stop I looked at the navigation screen once again.  I could hear the voice – “make a U-turn at first opportunity”.  We made a left and took the five-mile scenic detour, finally arriving at the hotel.  We registered and promptly enjoyed many margaritas, and meeting new friends before checking into our suites.  I was reacquainted with Emil, a Corvettes of Fresno member I had not seen in over thirty years!

Friday morning we caravanned to Virginia City.  What a sight, the Corvettes snaking down the grade, through Carson City, and up the grade towards our destination.  We were hungry, as usual, therefore breakfast and then in and out of the shops.  We drove back to Tahoe and readied for the slot tournament.  Linda had the top score between us, but that was thirty per cent of the top score.  A hoedown with a “best drink” contest followed back at the hotel.

Saturday was the Peoples’ Choice Show and Shine.  Many beautiful cars were sparkling in the cool morning air.  Afterwards, we had a poker run hosted by Lake Tahoe Corvettes.  The run took us through areas that a fire had swept through.  Saturday afternoon was open.  ME and Bill lounged by the pool.  We enjoyed the dinner, and the award presentation was entertaining.   CRC was shut out of awards and door prizes.  The distance award went to a couple from Corvettes de Olympia – CRC came in second.

Sunday morning we fueled and left for a great tour through the small community of Markleville on the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.  Many bicyclists were riding on the narrow roads.  A cowboy herding two cows also shared the road.  Onwards we drove, back and forth finally reaching 8730-foot Ebbetts Pass.  We stopped at Alpine Lake Lodge for a marvelous lunch.  Next stop, Columbia City, a California State Historic Site.  Columbia City was the site of hydraulic mining back in the late 1800’s.  After an ice cream cone, we traveled to Sonora for an overnight stay.  Sonora was called the “Queen of the Southern Mines”.  It was a wild town in the 1850’s.  We walked a few blocks to Alfredo’s, a fine Mexican restaurant.

Monday we headed up Highway 49, part of the “Gold Country Tour”.  The highway winds through Angles Camp, where Mark Twain penned the famous “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” back in 1865.  Angels Camp hosts an annual Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee in May.  Hwy 49 passes through many interesting towns.  I took us through the old road through Mokelumne Hill, which really looked 150 years old.  We also took the old highway past Jackson, through Sutter Creek and Amador City.  We arrived in old Sacramento, ready to visit the California State Railroad Museum, one of the world’s finest.   We parked and promptly found we had a limited number of quarters.  Only 12 minutes for 25 cents.  We plugged in enough to get to the change machine, which was out-of-order.  A quick stop at a candy store for additional quarters, and we were set to go.  This museum features 21 lavishly restored locomotives and cars, some dating back to 1862.  We made a quick stop at our parking spaces to refresh our meters, and then off for a cold one and a late lunch.  Upon returning I had a parking ticket.  How could that be, I still had three minutes on the OMG Pietz’ meter.  Carumba!

We left Sacramento thirty dollars lighter, stopping in Redding for booze and fuel.  We wound our way up to Yreka and checked into the Miner’s Inn.  I was filling out the registration card when the desk clerk indicated I only had to put down our license plate number.  ME piped in, “I know what his license number is, we’ve been following his ass for the last 400 miles!”  The clerks and other desks just cracked up.  We ordered pizza and watched Monday night football.

Tuesday morning was breakfast at Grandma’s Restaurant.  A few stops later we arrived back in Washington, wishing we were just beginning our journey.  Tahoe Tour 40 was a great experience, traveling with dear friends and meeting wonderful new people, enjoying awesome weather and wonderful scenery.  But the best part of this trip was driving our Corvettes.