Wed/Thu through to Friday

On Wednesday, Scott and I went up to the nearby Genoa Lakes golf club and we managed to get a game OK. It's a lovely course but it was slow up front and we were eventually invited to join the couple from San Diego in front of us at the 10th. Tom and Trish were staying at the Marriott Timber Lodge at South Lake Tahoe - a timeshare they had recently bought at a place we had tried to get in to, but failed. They were decent company and, although Scott was initially a bit fearful, we were certainly not overwhelmed by their golf - although Tom did hit the ball a long way. Early on in the round, we were a little amazed as a couple of deer, cool as you like, wandered out of the rushes and came up very close to us on the tee - they seemed very tame - Scott said they were mule deer - the name coming from their large, ass-like ears - see above photo. Scott did not have his hunting guns with him and I managed to persuade him to resist the temptation to wrestle them to submission!

On the way back, we popped in to DW's restaurant at our resort and booked a table for dinner. There was a Hawaiian trio playing and we sat on the same level as the band, with Braeden blissfully asleep for virtually the whole meal. As ever, the portions were huge and we all slumped back to our rooms.

Thursday was a bit of a rest day, slumming it by the pools in the morning and afternoon and then heading back to Carson City for a bit of shopping for Lucy, followed by a meal at Chilli's, after which we went back and packed for an early start on Friday morning.

We left the resort just after 7 a.m. and Scott and Lucy dropped us off at Reno airport not long after 8, then drove up to meet us getting off our second flight at Medford just before 3 pm. Flying meant Jo and I could travel light and skate through the airports, whilst at the same time giving Scott, Lucy and the boys more room for their 400 mile drive.

Jo and I had a bit of a wait at San Francisco, but we managed to while the time away in the Anchor Steam bar, with me watching the Open on TV refreshed by a pint of Liberty Ale, with Jo having her second cup of soup of the day (clam chowder this time - cheese and broccoli at Reno airport for breakfast!)

Our pick-up truck arrived at Medford airport not long after we landed and Scott drove us back up to Grants Pass. It was a little cloudy and the temperature was at least 15 degrees lower than normal (only the low 80's!). Scott thinks there may be an overnight storm and certainly the weather forecast for tomorrow is possibly for some rain - a new experience for us - bad timing, as Scott and I are heading to the coast to play at Salmon Run, after which we will go to Crescent City and pick up the dogs from Scott's Mum and Dad's.

Tuesday in South Lake Tahoe

We all travelled over the mountains again down to South Lake Tahoe. We spotted a small fairground and the boys had tremendous fun for an hour or so. Jo played spectator but Scott, Lucy and I all had turns on the various slides and go-karts (see photo above).

Lunch was at the local brewpub that I found out about the night before - Lucy couldn't believe I hadn't arrived in USA, fully researched on all the microbreweries and brewpubs in Northern Nevada! It was pretty good, but our waitress was a bit of a dipstick and needed reminding about a couple of things.

It was a tough call whether to go for a sail on the Tahoe Queen or a ride up the mountain on the Heavenly gondola. In the end we chose the latter, which made Jo a bit nervous, especially on the steep part of the climb. However, it was well worth it - the views from the walkway at the first station were fantastic.

When we came down, it was time to visit the Cold Stone Creamery for ice creams and smoothies - lovely, but we all felt a bit bloated afterwards and nobody was in a hurry to eat anything by the time we got back to the resort.

Genoa, Nevada

On Saturday, Jo and I were up very early and took a dawn stroll round the resort, taking some photos along the way. When we got back the rest were up and after breakfast we crossed over the mountains, past Heavenly ski resort, to South Lake Tahoe for lunch and a stroll along the beach.

On Sunday we took the trip north east to the old western gold mining town of Virginia City. The main street is just the same as it was almost 150 years ago - amazing. We took in a wild west shoot-em-up show and also a ride on the train around the various mines, both current and long closed.

Monday morning, Scott and I went off for a game of golf at Carson Valley - it was good fun and Scott did pretty well considering he hasn't hit a ball since I was last over here - although he travelled home a lot lighter, having dispatched a number of balls in to the boondocks, never to be seen again!

Braeden was sleeping when we got back, but when he did wake up, Lucy put them in the jacuzzi, and topped it up with bubble bath, which produced an eruption of bubbles that threatened to overwhelm the apartment! She even took part herself - see above!

Journey to USA

The flights to USA were good and timely and Jo and I enjoyed the extra leg room in World Traveller Plus for the long flight to SFO. Problems with the entertainment system did not really affect us as I had my Archos with me and watched that for much of the journey.

Being at the front of the plane also has the advantage that you are first in the queue at immigration and baggage claim, so we got through and checked in with United for the short hop to Reno in sufficient time to have a beer. Only problem was that the plane was, as usual, overbooked, but we were first in line and there's always somebody willing to sacrifice the flight for a free trip to Hawaii or wherever.

We arrived at Reno before Scott and Lucy but we eventually met them and drove down to Genoa, stopping to pick up some groceries for supper and breakfast.

The accommodation is good and the resort is very nice, but Jo and I were ready to hit the sack as soon as the boys headed off for a swim.

Slaley Hall and Cornwall to USA

Jo and I left Banchory early on Saturday morning and drove down to Edinburgh airport. We decided to take the route via Stirling to bypass any potential traffic problems at Balado, where T in the Park was on, or on the bridge, where there are weekend roadworks. We made it in good time and I stopped off to have coffee with Jo before heading south to Slaley.

I had borrowed the Tom-Tom sat nav unit from the office and it was very helpful until I got to Slaley, where it insisted on directing me to the back of the complex and I had to figure out where the entrance to the huge estate was.

Anyway, all 12 of us made it and we had a super weekend at a great facility playing 2 lovely courses, albeit very wet underfoot after the recent downpours they had had. It was pleasant enough to play in shorts all 3 rounds.

On Monday, I had to dash off promptly after golf, grabbing a bun to eat in the car, to try to get back to Edinburgh airport to meet Jo coming back from Newquay. I was a little late, but Jo was engrossed in her book anyway and we decided to eat at the airport before heading home.

The rest of a short week was fairly routine, apart from both of us having trips to the dentist, and Friday arrived before we knew it. We were up just after 4, despite Jo only getting to bed at 1, and Ross drove us to the airport.