Rolling with the Curves — Episode 26
This isn’t just a road trip to Lake Tahoe. It’s a reunion on wheels.
We planned this Tahoe run around our anniversary (April 26) and built the route around family.
The goal was simple: make it to Zephyr Cove, Nevada, reconnect with our cousin Tim, and meet his wife Susan for the very first time.
The video is mostly photographic, with a calm, story-first style.
It’s designed like a photo journal: big views, quick stops, and the moments in between.
Watch the full episode on YouTube:
Click here to watch Episode 26
The Hook: We Had One Big Goal… and a Few “Uh-Oh” Moments
We hit the road thinking, “This is going to be smooth.”
Then reality showed up fast.
We had a quick parts stop at the Alliance RV “mothership,” and later we had a serious repair issue that could have ended the trip early.
The question became:
Do we keep pushing… or turn back?
That’s the storyline of this episode:
get to Tahoe for family, handle problems as they come, and still make time for the views that made us want this trip in the first place.
High-Level Trip Summary (Stops + Moments)
1) The kickoff: anniversary + family in Cheyenne
We started this trip with a Cheyenne meetup with family, then rolled out with that “we’re really doing this” feeling.
It set the tone: this was about more than a destination.
2) Travel days with standout overnights
-
Sleepy Hollow (near Oxford, Iowa): a Passport America stop with full hookups and solid amenities.
We’re in a 34’11” fifth wheel, so getting into the site took patience, but the discount helped. -
Golden Spike Tower (North Platte, Nebraska): a Harvest Hosts stay overlooking a massive rail yard.
Watching trains get built from above was wild. -
Terry Bison Ranch (Cheyenne area): more than an RV stop — it felt like a destination.
The bison train tour was a highlight, and it made a perfect anniversary dinner stop.
3) The problem we didn’t plan for
In Utah, we pulled into Coalville and noticed something looked “off.”
The wheels looked too close together.
We checked it out… and found a broken leaf spring.
We contacted Alliance Service and got directed to a repair shop that helped us get back on the road.
It was a delay, but it saved the trip.
4) The stretch that made the trip feel real
After lunch at the Bonneville Salt Flats and an overnight in Ely, Nevada, we drove Nevada Highway 50 — the “Loneliest Road in America.”
It was quiet, wide open, and honestly… lonelier than we expected.
5) Tahoe: we made it
We climbed into the Sierra Nevada and rolled into Zephyr Cove.
Then we went straight to the one stop we refused to miss:
Emerald Bay.
Emerald Bay is the kind of place where photos still don’t feel like enough.
The blue water, the granite, the island in the bay… it hits different in person.
6) The “family part” of the story
The best moments weren’t just scenic.
We had our first real time with Tim in a long time, met Susan, and shared a reunion meal that felt like home.
They even made homemade pierogies from a family recipe — the kind of meal that turns a campground into family.
7) Side trips and classic stops
- Tallac Historic Site: an easy walk with history and lake views.
- Virginia City: old West vibes that feel like a movie set.
- Zephyr Cove cruise (Miss Dixie II): fun experience, but the weather didn’t cooperate.
- Vikingsholm: a “hidden castle” feel on the shoreline.
- Spooner Lake / Tahoe Rim Trail: beautiful… then the weather flipped fast with rain and sleet.
Heading Home: Desert Stops That Felt Like Another World
On the way back, we stopped near Beatty, Nevada and made a quick detour to Rhyolite — a ghost town that’s gone fast, but still leaves a mark.
Nearby, we saw eerie desert art and an old cemetery that makes you stop and think about how fast a town can rise and disappear.
We also touched on how close this route can bring you to bigger desert country, including Death Valley.
Why This Episode Works as a “Photo Story”
- Clear mission: Tahoe for family (and our anniversary trip).
- Real stakes: a repair problem that could have ended the trip.
- Big payoff: Emerald Bay + Zephyr Cove + reunion moments.
- Mostly photographic: it’s meant to feel like a travel photo journal you can relax into.
Watch the full episode on YouTube:
Episode 26 — Lake Tahoe and All Points To and From
Quick Notes (for RVers)
- Big trips go smoother when you build in buffer time.
- Do a careful walk-around check — sometimes the “small look” is the big problem.
- Mountain and lake weather can change fast. Keep layers and rain gear close.
If you’re planning a Lake Tahoe RV trip, we hope this gives you a simple, real look at what the drive can feel like —
and why the best part might be who you share it with.
Leave a Reply