Checking into Timberlodge Today

[calberry]

DW and me.
DS, his DW and 3 children (8,5,1)
DD, her DH and 1 child (1)...plus one in the oven.
MIL...OK DMIL (84...put who's counting?!?)

This is the first time the whole fam damily gets to make it. Two years ago we just used our 2BR (crowded!) but we had a great time. This year we have reservered our 1BR and 2BR and an additional lockoff.

We have made our location requests and now we just have to finish packing this morning and make the drive...and hope the smoke isn't TOO bad. We're only two hours away, so we know how that can change daily (depending on wind direction and time of day).

http://www.tahoesbest.com/framesets/heavenly_cam_set.htm

Let me know if you would like to know anything while we are there.

Steve

 

[Lawlar]

We Are Right Behind You

Congratulations! Enjoy your trip.

We are taking our grandkid there Aug 1. We traded our lock-off for a lock-off at Timber Lodge.

Our grandkid loves to swim and jacuzzi (me too). It the pool and jacuzzi area crowded?

Will the lock-off be too small for 3 people?

Let us know what you enjoy the most on your trip.

 

[calberry]

Congratulations! Enjoy your trip.

We are taking our grandkid there Aug 1. We traded our lock-off for a lock-off at Timber Lodge.

Our grandkid loves to swim and jacuzzi (me too). It the pool and jacuzzi area crowded?

Will the lock-off be too small for 3 people?

Let us know what you enjoy the most on your trip.

The pool and jacuzzi were, if not crowded, well used when we were there two years ago, and since then they have opened the new wing of Bldg. #2.

But what we enjoyed best was using the beach day pass provided and going down to the lake. VERY beautiful. Kids play area, nice sand, restrooms, snackbar/restaurant, water toys rental, etc.

Yes the lockoff will be plenty big. King bed (maybe queen but I think king) and hide-away couch. We even added an airmattress for a kid.

Steve

 

[gores95]

Steve enjoy your week there. We traded our 1BR Aruba for a 1BR Martin Luther King week, 2009. What buildings do you recommend as convenient for skiing/pool and with the best views?

Thanks.

 

[Bill4728]

Steve,

So, DS is getting the 2 bd, you're getting the 1 bd ( with MIL) and DD is getting the lockoff??

 

[ciscogizmo1]

I hope the smoke is clear for you. It was when we went up there during 4th of July week. It seems like the smoke is worst in the valley as we get very little wind. Although, the last few days have been clearer than normal but not perfect.

 

[calberry]

Busy busy....

First off we were surprised at how bad the smoke WASN'T on the drive up. There was a 'haze', but no smell of smoke. I expected to not be able to see across the lake, but no problem.

We arrived around 2:30, and our 1BR and 2BR were both available. The only problem was they were in two different buildings.

The plan was (is) DD in the lockoff, DS in the 1BR, and us and MIL in the 2BR (which is 'party central'), so having the other two units close was a high priority. We discussed options at the desk (w/out looking at the rooms first) and then after they described the options and the original rooms we opted for the originals. Once we got to the rooms we were VERY pleased (well, except for the single lockoff). The 2BR is right above the spas (5th floor) in building 7 that opened about 2 years ago. It looks down the length of the pool (northern exposure) and at the building (with the Harrah's sign above it) at the other end of the pool...perfect! The 1BR is very unique. It is on the 4th floor, a couple of floors above the Fire and Ice restaurant. It has 3 views; one right down at the gondolas and Coldstone Ice Cream, another up the hill, and the other a corner of the pool. It must have 25% more square footage than a 'normal' 1BR. Cut up, but cute. But the single lockoff (once it became available), although in our building and on our floor is about as far away as it could be (we could do the 1BR in the other bldg faster I think) and looks down at some ugly constructdion site. But we only have that for two nights as SIL has to go to work on Monday and DD will move in with MIL after that so that is not really an issue.

It is now 10:45pm, the grand-kids are all in bed (DIL with them), and the other adults are sitting around talking, planning tomorrow and the menus for the week (after G'Pa fixed shrimp pasta and garlic bread...and lots of wine). THIS is JUST why we bought our two weeks here. Now the week in Ko Olina...THAT is ours to use alone!!!!

Steve

 

[davemy]

We are going to timberlodge sept. 7th, We are going with three other couples, no kids.... It will be are first time there, Will you take the drive a round the lake, Is it worth it? Could that take all day? Are you doing anything on the lake. Whats your favorite casino to go to? Keep your trip report coming, We love reading it.

 

[calberry]

We are going to timberlodge sept. 7th, We are going with three other couples, no kids.... It will be are first time there

I'm sure you will have ball. You will have to check to see what shows will be playing at the Casinos.

Will you take the drive a round the lake, Is it worth it? Could that take all day?

We are Ca. natives and have been to Tahoe MANY times over the years, so we now don't take the time to drive around it, although we have in the past. I would highly recommend it...in combination with a planned lunch stop at one of the many lakeside restaurants...and make it take all day. I'm a long distance cyclist (or was until I broke my neck on a 200 mile ride/race last summer) so normally when we come up I take the bike and ride around the lake...one day clockwise, another counter clockwise. That takes me just about 4hrs for the 76 miles, and each time I see things I haven't seen before and places I tell my wife we need to go visit (but don't).

Are you doing anything on the lake.

The only thing we plan to do on the lake is float on our innertubes. The 8 and 5 year old grand-kid are chomping at the bit to get down to the beach! The last two times we were here we did the Tahoe Queen paddle boat trip, and that was very enjoyable.

My DS and I broght our clubs, and will be driving down to Carson City to play golf on Monday. We played at Edgewood a couple of years ago. It is beautiful, and we enjoyed it, but my game does not justify the price.

Whats your favorite casino to go to?

There are only 4 reasons for me to go to a casino; 1) take the kids to the play area inside Harrahs, 2) go to one of the many nice restaurantes, 3) go to a show, or 4) look for the DW and MIL. They both have Harrah's cards and get points when they play (penny slots mostly). Harrah's and Harvey's are part of the same company so they go to both in search for that 'lucky' machine. I used to like playing black jack, but now I'd rather throw my money at the grand-kids

Keep your trip report coming, We love reading it.

Glad you do. I may do a photo album if I get around to it.

 

[davemy]

Trip Report

So how is you're trip going? How was the weather? Was it cold at night?

 

[calberry]

So how is you're trip going? How was the weather? Was it cold at night?

Done. We are now home (about a 2 1/2 hr drive). What a fast and fun week! The weather was perfect. Shorts and tank tops the whole time, and it felt hot at the beach (to offset the cold water) and wonderful at the pool all day long. I went for a walk with the grand-kids one night and we got back at 10pm...tee shirts the whole time. And I was up for a walk at 6:30am and although I wore a sweatshirt didn't really need it.

Oh, and my son (who is quite the poker player) loves Bill's casino the best. He said it is smaller than the others, the employees seem more friendly (although it is owned by Harrah's and named after Bill Harrah), the drinks are cheap (great if you are a beer lover), and it is the ONLY non-smoking casino in Tahoe.

Steve

 

[Robert D]

Beach Day Pass

You mentioned something about getting a provided day pass for the beach. Is this the beach down the hill from the casinos and does Marriott provide the day pass for free? We're going for a week on Aug 10th and that sounds like fun.

 

[calberry]

You mentioned something about getting a provided day pass for the beach. Is this the beach down the hill from the casinos and does Marriott provide the day pass for free? We're going for a week on Aug 10th and that sounds like fun.

When you check in they will automatically give you a pass for the beach, good through the day you leave. The beach literally is a straight line due west (down hill...albeit ever so slightly downhill) from Marriott, but there is no 'as the crow flies' road. So you have to take the east/west road which is 'state line' (just ot the north) and curve to the left to the beach, or take the road between the Marriott complex and Raley's (just to the south) and then curve to the right. Parking is limited so you may have to walk a couple of blocks. But I get creative and park right behind one of the big trees in the strip parking lot which then puts the bumper just off the paved road, and therefore legal (although you will stick out further than everyone else).

Steve