The Comstock Lode, the Lake and the Circus

We have enjoyed our couple of days in the Reno/Sparks/Virginia City/Lake Tahoe area.  Yesterday we visited Virginia City, an awesome wild, west town. We took a train past the mines of the Comstock Lode and then a trolley tour around the city. The kids enjoyed the old time candy and ice cream store while I enjoyed a sarsparilla. We have been to several preserved western towns, and this is probably my favorite. Before retiring for the night, we played the midway games at Circus Circus.  There were some minor issues with our original suite, so before heading out this morning, we packed up and moved across the complex to a townhouse - much more comfortable. On our way to Lake Tahoe, we stopped at Donner's Pass. Yes, that Donner, from the Donner Party - we didn't pay to get into the museum because well, I didn't care to see an exhibit on what they had to do to survive. OK, on to pleasantness - Squaw Valley the site of the 1960 winter Olympics. We took a gondola up to the top of the mountain where you could see all the chairlifts and ski trails. No snow on this mountain in the summer, though. Interesting fact - Walt Disney hosted the 60 Olympics, he styled the scenery of Big Thunder Mountain after the terrain in Squaw Valley. We toured the Olympic museum and then headed to Lake Tahoe. Wow, it is beautiful. I know where I want a 2nd home. There were people rafting on a river that ran into the lake and quaint little towns and the lake itself is gorgeous. The scenery was amazing. We had dinner at Edgewood, the golf course where the NBC televised Celebrity Golf tournament is located. That event happens to be next week, so a lot of the stands and other sets were already set up. We ate on a patio that overlooked the golf course and the lake - it was an amazing spot. On our way out, we stopped at a beach to put feet in the lake - cold, yet refreshing. We arrived back at the resort early (around 7 which is super early for us) and had some downtime and swimming. John and the kids went to Circus Circus for one last hurrah and I had some me time. It has been a fun couple of days in Nevada (and CA, Lake Tahoe is partly there too).   Tomorrow we head to the last major national park that John has not been too - Lassen Volcanic. We'll keep you posted.