Snow snow snow

Driving to Lake Tahoe via Sacramento was a mistake, with bumper to bumper traffic snailing it's way fifty miles either side of the cbd. As a consequence, it was approaching dusk when we began the climb up into the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The two hour drive up and over the range is via a series of tortuous twists and switchback turns, each tighter than the last. Driving on these roads in the dark is tiring, so we stopped near the summit for a brief break and to stretch our legs.

Pulling into a lone parking area, we stopped outside the quaint Strawberry ski lodge. Nestled into the side of the mountain, this was a delightful (and deserted) haven of log fires, wood paneling, and super friendly customer service.

With a full belly from the kitchen and kids playing scrabble in front of the fire, it was tempting not to leave at all. Rory had even befriended one of the not-so-friendly locals, a complete stuffed brown bear who occupies pride of place in the fire lounge.

Another ninety minutes later we had crossed the summit and descended into Carson City, having pre booked accomodation at one of the casinos. These offer discount rooms on the basis that most people will drop a bundle at the gaming tables. Sucker punched with us though, as we didn't even enter the casino proper.

Despite arriving at 10:30pm, both kids were desperate to hit the large heated indoor pool and spa baths. This meant that it was nearly midnight by the time the kids had finished waking the entire complex and raising the denizens of hell. They stumbled back into the room, and were asleep as they cleaned their teeth.

With Friday luck the new day dawned with heavy fog covering the range, thick enough to close the gondola that provides the only access to the kids tobogganing and tubing slopes. We briefly considering strapping skis on them and pointing them at the edge of the nearest double-black run, but Rory expressed a strong aversion to near-vertical drops. Double-blacks are strictly for the experts, and best summarised as barely controlled falling.

Instead, we contented ourselves with finding vacant snow fields and pelting one another mercilessly. Olaf the snowman from the movie Frozen also made a brief appearance.

Tonight we will settle in to one of the cosy alpine lodges and try again first thing tomorrow morning.