The Great American Road Trip. Day 29. Old Station, CA.

We said our goodbyes in the morning and got on the road, headed north to Lassen Volcanic National Park.  I have wanted to go to Lassen ever since I saw the park on Huell Howser's California Gold (it must have been one of his first episodes, the name was California's Golden Parks).

I miss Huell!

There is Mount Shasta!

We are so close, but will be staying at an RV park in Old Station, saving the park for tomorrow.

Cheers from the Scamp!

The Great American Road Trip. Day 28. South Lake Tahoe, the Past and the Present.

"In the Spring at Lake Tahoe" is a song sung long ago, when Tahoe was a bit of a secret, set aside for those who were in the know (and had money).  

A time when social media was a black and white picture and a story, and this tune stuck in your head.

🎜There is an Indian legend of a lake of azure blue,

It nestles deep within the heart of mountains clad in snow...🎝

If the people that were hanging out here in Tahoe, during the Great Gatsby era, were to see what Tahoe looks like now, I am certain they would not be able to believe their eyes.

Today we visited the Tallac Historic Site in South Lake Tahoe, starting at Dextra Baldwin's granddaughter's cabin.  Her grandfather, "Lucky" Baldwin, bought this property in the 1800s and ran a popular summer resort and casino, the Tallac House.

The Tallac House is a beautiful 10,000 square feet cabin, preserved to appear as it did in its heyday.  Check out the hinges on this door.

The kitchens (there are two right next to each other) are impressive, to say the least.

There is a small collection of cars out front.

The one Eric is in was used for hotel guests to be carted around.

Looking good, old sport!

We focused on the Baldwin buildings on this trip, so there is more to see when we return on another time.

We reconvened at the Haerr cabin before heading off to the free concert at the lake (a regular Thursday event).  

Everyone is looking forward to it.  

🎔

Like I said, if people a hundred years ago were to see Tahoe today, with their multistory hammock hotels, I think they would be frightened. 

I shouldn't say too much about Tahoe today.  

I know I am glad to be here, just like every other old sport!

The Great American Road Trip. Day 27. Scamp profile and stream profile, South Lake Tahoe.

Once you pick up your out-of-state trailer you only have a month to get it registered in our home state.  This meant that we had to be heading home, instead of heading to Canada, where we originally wanted to go. So we have made the most of it, deciding weeks ago to make an appointment at the DMV in South Lake Tahoe.  You have to register it in your state, not your city.

It worked out perfect because we wanted to go to Tahoe anyway, and the DMV was actually a pleasant experience.  Way to go, Tahoe!

California is an inspection state, meaning the DMV verifies the trailer in person, before receiving a licence plate.

One uncertainty about today was whether we would be able to get PTI (Permanent Trailer Identification).  People on Scamp forums have complained about not being allowed to participate in the PTI program, even though the 13' Scamp falls under this category because of its length and weight (1,200 lbs).  After some diligent measuring and all the proper paperwork, we were able to qualify for the PTI program.  Yay!

The big perk to having PTI plates is that it only needs to be registered every five years.

Score!

From the stuffy DMV with off-putting we went straight to Rainbow Trail, full of sunshine and fresh air.

The trail passes through marshes and creeks, but the highlight is definitely the stream profile chamber.

Watching the trout underground is fun for all ages.

This baby must be having observation overload!

Tahoe will do that to you.

Before calling it a night we went to the Village, where Steve and Denise recommended getting a ski pass from Heavenly Ski Resort, which is a legitimate pass that they will print for free for babies and pets.

She can't use it since we don't have a pass and we are overbearing, paranoid parents who don't trust our daughter to take the gondola by herself...

but she loves it regardless! 

The Great American Road Trip. Day 26. Pine Lodge, South Lake Tahoe.

What better first day in Tahoe than to spend the day by the lake.

Steve and Denise suggested Sugar Pine Point State Park since not that many people know to come here so there is plenty of parking.  

The park includes the building behind us, Pine Lodge, completed in 1903.

Lake Tahoe is every shade of blue and green that has ever existed.

It is just beautiful.

Caribbean green.

Robin egg blue.

Mountain meadow.

Pine green, perhaps.

Tropical rain forest.

Do you agree with me squirrel?

Of course you do.

Do you agree with me, baby?

Of course you do.

-Eric?

-Yes Dear, whatever you say, Dear.

-Thank you.

Aquamarine.

Turquoise blue.

How can one body of water be so many different colors in a single day?

Sea green fades to sky blue fades to navy.  

Whatever the color, Lake Tahoe looks good on this baby.