Trip to Tahoe

The trip to Tahoe was the first long drive we had. It was about 9 hours per google maps but factor in towing a 13,000lb 5th wheel up the mountains and it was closer to 12 hours of driving. We planned on splitting it into two days and that was definitely the right move. The first day we planning on getting some good sleep and leaving the campground no later than 1pm.

We got on the road right when we wanted. For the most part the drive was uneventful. We did have to pull over twice due to some minor issues but luckily nothing catastrophic. The first time we stopped was because one of the plastic containers in the truck bed had fallen over and we lost some carpet stair covers. Not ideal, but not the end of the world. A little later in the drive on of the fender skirts starting to break off. We made it to a truck stop where we could remove what was still hanging on.

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When starting to plan this trip out a few weeks ago, we considered doing the overnight at a truck or rest stop but I had some hesitations. We would not have electric and would have to keep the slides in which makes it very tight living quarters. With Scylla (my cat) being almost 19 years old, her mobility is not what it used to be and I wanted her to be able to use her area safely without me worrying. That meant we needed to stop somewhere with hookups and space for us to extend the slides. I decided to book something close to the highway on Hipcamp.

Hipcamp is essentially Air B&B but for camping. You rent a space on someone’s private property where you set up camp. They offer everything from tent sites with no hookups to large trailer sites with full hookups. I have used Hipcamp a few times and always had a good experience. This time however did not go as planned. I had reached out to the site owner a few weeks before the trip to ensure we would fit but he did not respond until he saw us drive by the night we were scheduled to stay there. We did not fit.

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After 90 minutes in a near by parking lot we regrouped and came up with a back up plan. There was another spot we could stay that was an additional hour south along our route. It was small privately owned RV park in Weed, CA called Trailer Lane. By the time we pulled in, it has been dark for hours and by the time we were set up for the night it was about 10pm. But with what I could see even in the dark, it was so cute. I wish I had booked there initially so we could have gone straight there and maybe made it before the sun had set. It was a small campground with about 15 sites but it was perfect for what we needed. It was easy in and easy out.

When making your reservation online you had the option to add a dozen eggs and when driving in I noticed the chicken coops were old retro travel trailers. When I took my morning walk with Cazic around 6:15am, the chickens were still sleeping but I did get a photo of one of their coops. There was also a retro trailer that is available for rent. Everything was adorable and I really loved the vibes of this place. I am not sure when or if I will be going through Weed, CA again but I would absolutely stay here again.

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When making the South Lake Tahoe reservation Dan made mention of snow and how he hoped there would not be any. I thought while there was a possibility, what were the changes of snow in May. Apparently higher than I initially thought. A week before our reservation I checked the weather and on the day we were scheduled to drive in, snow was predicted. Thankfully even though it was snowing, it was not sticking to the roads.

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We made it to the campground safely and got set up. At least I had spent this past winter living in the 5th wheel so being in the cold and snow was no problem, it was just the drive through the snow that was the worst of it. I had been so excited to finally get to warm and sunny California. Oh well, at least San Francisco won’t let me down.

More to come on the Tahoe adventures but lesson learned, South Lake Tahoe’s winter ends Memorial Day weekend.