The Smiffs go West -Day 16 - Crossing the State Line into Nevada and Reno!

[Ruthy1604]

Day 16 - Crossing the State Line into Nevada and Reno!

The index is here

We were up early this morning – around 7.30am to pack everything up again. By around 9 we had made it to breakfast via the lounge where I finally managed to get onto the wifi to check my emails.

I’m not sure what happened but while I was paying, the kids had a disagreement which ended up with DS hitting DD and then DH shouting at pretty much the top of his voice. I think he only shouted ‘Oi’ but EVERYONE turned round. Not our finest hour. I can’t remember what we had – I think I had granola as the porridge was a bit gloopy yesterday.

Once the car was packed and the room checked several times, we set off out of the park on the Tioga Road.

I am really going to miss waking up to this view.



Everyone was fairly subdued and it was a peaceful journey just taking in the scenery.

We stopped at Olmsted Point which has some strange rock formations and a beautiful view over northern side of Half Dome and Tenaya Lake.







We saw some climbers on this dome - I can't remeber exactly where this was but you really have to look hard to spot them. DH used to be a climber






The road seemed really quiet and soon we round out why! They were doing some tree felling next to the road and had a stop-go system in place. I think it went like this …. Inbound go for 10 mins, tree cutting 10 minutes, outbound for 10 minutes. The queue was horrendous and were at a standstill for around 30 minutes. There were more roadworks near the park exit, but they weren’t as bad.

By around 2pm we were on the 395 heading towards the state line into Nevada. We had to stop for a photo – I expect all the motorists driving by thought we were really strange!



DD needed a restroom and we were all a bit peckish so we stopped in the first place we saw. The Topaz Lodge. It was a hotel/casino/bar right by a beautiful lake. I popped in first to check that the children could come in and the hotel receptionist said it was fine and they had a coffee shop/restaurant that we could eat in.

I rounded up the troops and we headed in. I have read about these places being disorientating and smoky but I hadn’t quite realised how bad it would be. We were waved towards the back to the café so DD and I went to the restroom first and said we’d catch the boys up. When we had traipsed through all the slot machines and located the boys, they were sitting in a smoky bar looking confused. They thought they were in the cafe! The café was actually tucked away in a corner and was lovely when we managed to find it! It had stunning views across the lake and the best sandwiches! I had avocado, bacon and tomato, DH had pastrami on parmesan bread. DD had mac and cheese and I cannot remember what DS had! The total bill came to $32.34 plus tip so great value.





We filled up with fuel here and then carried on towards Reno. The plan was originally to do a slight detour to see Lake Tahoe, but we were all keen to get to the hotel in Reno and get in the pool, so we ditched that plan and kept driving.

We had a bit of stress finding the hotel – I had Sat Navved the road, not realising it was miles and miles long! Consequently we got off the freeway too early and ended up driving the last few miles in busy traffic. DS spotted an IHOP though so he was happy!

Eventually we came into Reno and parked up at the hotel. We seemed to have to walk miles from the parking lot to reception, and then back again to get the luggage once we knew where our room was. Our request for a rollaway bed was refused due to it being a fire hazard, but it wasn’t a massive problem.

Our room was on the 16th floor in the Tuscan Tower. We walked in and the TV was on showing a trailer for a rather grown up movie shall we say. Suffice to say that the trailer did not leave much to the imagination at all and DH and I were desperately trying to find the remote and turn it off. I have never seen DS go quite so red. Not very family friendly at all. The room was very plush – a bit OTT on the ornateness of the décor, but I’d expected that. We had to laugh at the snack tray and minibar. It had a sensor and if anything was removed for more than 15 seconds your room was automatically charged! I’ve never seen anything like it!

Our room (its messy already!)


The bathroom - there was a jacuzzi bath in the corner & seperate shower.


The view from our room to the pool below.


There was no point unpacking as we were only here for 1 night so we pulled out the swimsuits and went down to the pool. I didn’t go in, but apparently the water wasn’t very warm! The pool area is lovely though, and there are several pools to choose from. DH and I got a couple of drinks ($18 incl tip) from a lady with the biggest artificial assets I have sever seen (and the smallest bikini) and just chilled in the sunshine for a while watching the kids splashing around in the pool.

Later we looked around for the food options – there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from, but we decided on the islands buffet. I was happy as they only charged us for 2 adults 2 kids despite both kids being obviously over 12. I’d like to say we were restrained, but we stuffed our faces and had more cocktails too. The restaurant was rainforest café themed with thunder and lightning every so often, and the food choice was huge.



We wandered through the casino floor – I’ve always wanted to try out the machines, but I just didn’t feel confident enough to give it a go.

This was the one of the bars.


The smoke was dreadful, and so we decided to call it a night.

This was the only part of our holiday that I felt was a mistake. I’ve always wanted to go to Vegas to experience the glitz and spectacle of it all, and I thought this place might be a little taste of Vegas. But the truth is, I hated this hotel, I felt really uncomfortable with the flashy styling, the sad hopelessness of the gamblers and the brazen sexuality promoted here. I still intend to visit Vegas one day though.

[tracy99]

Absolutely love that first photo.stunning!
Tracy x

[Nesbits]

Loving this trippie. What a contrast in photos though, the spectacular scenery at the start of the day, then the man-made mess at the end, it must have made your head spin.

People smoke in Vegas casinos too, I was taken by surprise on my 1st visit. I still go back though. If you do go try a hotel without a casino, less smoky.

(I see DS was back in jeans & hoody)

[Nubbedy]

After the beauty of Yosemite, the scenery in Reno is striking, but can understand how it must have seemed brash.

[caj]

So from the sublime to the ridiculous today then!

[abiknox]

I just realised I never finished this trippy! Looking at the date you wrote this, we were 3 days into our own West Coast trip and obviously having way too much fun to Dibb! Shamefull I know

We are planning another West Coast visit in April next year and Reno was a consideration as Thomas Cook had some cheap flights on offer. I think ill leave it though as we are overdosed on Vegas and this sounds similar.

[Ruthy1604]

Lucky you, sneaking another trip in so soon Abi!

We will definately go back one day - the West Coast is amazing & I'm a little bit sad re- reading my trippie. We had such a great time.