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April 10, 2005
Last trip of '04-'05 - North Shore via South Shore
Welp, we ended the season in a weird fashion. Stayed at Cedar Glen in Tahoe Vista (North Shore). But got there by way of Highway 50 -> 28. We rode at Sierra Saturday, and Sugar Bowl Sunday.
If I remember correctly, the original plan was to go to Sugar Bowl using the "Sugarwood" tickets that we got by attending the Adventure Expo. We tried using them early season at Kirkwood, only to be denied. I guess they were good late season too.
But just past of Sacramento, traffic started getting really bad. We pulled off to take a restroom break, and also assess the situation. The gas station attendant was talking about a really bad accident that had occurred early that morning, something about several semis, a bus, a some other cars. I could've sworn she said somebody died. I repeated this story to several people I accompanied on lifts that day and the next. It turned out to be close to the truth, but nobody died, thank goodness.
At any rate, 80 was going to be jammed for a while. It was crazy, but I decided to drive back to Sac (I think we were about 45-minutes out), and then jump on 50 and head to Sierra, where we could use our season passes. So, maybe around 10 or 11AM, we finally got to Sierra, and got a few runs in.
We then headed up 50 to South Lake Tahoe, then proceeded to take the scenic drive around the lake up to Tahoe Vista. Along the way we stopped at the always tasty T's Mesquite Rotisserie in Incline Village to grab some dinner-to-go.
Eventually we arrived at the hotel, just before they were closing up the office for the night. (What!?) The Cedar Glen is a funky collection of cabins, cottages, and a good old motel, er, lodge. We took advantage of the EXCLUSIVE INTERNET ONLY DISCOUNT of One Queen Bed for $44.00. :-}
On the plus side, there was micro-mini-kitchenette w/ a two-burner stove, small sink, and mini-fridge. Not that we did any cooking, but it didn't look like any of these photos.
Also, the phone didn't work.
But anywho, the bed was comfortable enough, and we were able to get some sleep before heading out to Sugar Bowl the next morning. Unfortunately, only the gondola was open, due to late season conditions. So we had the daunting task of getting the following loaded onto one of those little gondolas as it moved around the track: 2 snowboards, a diaper bag, a backpack, and oh yes, Noah. Tricky stuff.
The riding was ok as I recall. The groomed was where you wanted to be, as they hadn't gotten fresh snow in a while. My one foray off-piste showed me just how hard and crusty the snow had become under the spring sun.
Noah got a little sledding in, on a lunch tray that I borrowed from the cafeteria. Although he appears to be giving the thumbs down in this photo, he seemed to enjoy it, in his purple snowsuit. Video evidence to come.
And that was the end of the 2004-2005 season. 10 days for me. 7 for Glady. 0 for Noah, unless you count the tray. Ok, 1 for Noah.
Posted by darryl at 08:00 PM | Comments (0)