Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada

On our way to Reno, we took route 50 , in Nevada, also known as the "Loneliest Road in America".....and it was.    Another road that you better have a full tank of gas before you start this journey.  The scenery was basins and mountains.  We ran into several quick cell showers where the temperature would go from 93 degrees down to 65 degrees and back up as you went thru the cell (info from truck temperature).  We barely saw cars coming the other way.....you don't want to break down here.  😟

As we got closer to Reno, the landscape changes slightly with more foliage and greenery.  We were only here for two days on our way out to California......Napa Valley.   We broke the two days down into Reno and Lake Tahoe.   

Reno is a small city with gambling as it's number one industry (obviously right?).   We didn't gamble since we are on a budget but took in the area.   We were pleasantly surprised by the river Truckee that ran thru Reno and how they used the river for biking, walking, kayaking, tubing, swimming, and lounging around.  It was easily accessible from several areas.   They have an outdoor concert venue (Jamaican band was playing that day) with food and beer trucks.   We also walked thru the gambling area and found homelessness was a problem.   I haven't discussed homelessness in my blogs up to this point but every city we visited was not immune to it.   Some cities were worse than others and don't seem to be able to control where they stay.   Not going to dwell.

Lake Tahoe was a spot I was told if we were in the area, we have to check it out and I'm glad we did.  First, Lake Tahoe boasts  some of the purest water IN THE WORLD (didn't expect that).   There was a sign that showed the percentage of purity of distilled water and Lake Tahoe and we are talking a insignificant difference of .005.   As you would expect, the place was very busy with boats, kayakers, and paddleboards.   We even saw a sea plane land on the water!   I think there is a lot of money out here.  

Lake Tahoe's elevation is 6200'.   The weather was fantastic at 75 degrees.   As we drove around the lake we were trying to find a place to park.   Needless to say, it was difficult but pulled into a spot where cars were parking along the road.   We asked an older couple that was parked in front of us if we could access the lake and they said yes.....with a caveat.   There were two trails down to lake, one was clothes optional and the other a regular beach.   They told us they were going to the clothes optional beach.   They seemed to want us to know that.  

The lake is crystal clear and beautiful blue as you look into the distance.   We brought our bathing suits and got in the water which was surprisingly not as cold as we expected.   We enjoyed the time there on the beach.   

Lake Tahoe is bordered by both California and Nevada.   On the Nevada side there where gambling sites and somewhat built up.  On the California side, it had areas of hotels and condos but more natural scenery along the lake.   

Before we got here I thought of Lake Tahoe thru the movie The Godfather Part 2 where at the end of the movie Freddie gets shot on the water while fishing.    I have better thoughts of the lake now!

Loneliest Road in America!  You can barely see a car in the distance coming towards us.  

Rainbow from one of the quick showers where the temperature would drop 30 degree difference during rain.  

Campsite just outside Reno.   First one we had pool and Jacuzzi.  Kami was happy to see the Jacuzzi.   We miss ours from the house.  

Truckee River in Reno.  A lot to do in this area.  It was really nice!

Trail down to beach at Lake Tahoe.  

The old couple that told us they were going to clothing optional beach.   You can see it off in the distance from sign.

Enjoyed the beach and water.   Kami even got in and she gets cold easily.