Nevada: State #35

When we decided to go skiing in Lake Tahoe, California, I didn't realize that the lake sits on the border between California and Nevada.  Once I looked at the map, I told Chris that if we were going to be so close to the border, we'd take the time to dip into Nevada so I could check another state off my list in my quest to visit every state in the country.

On our first morning we headed southeast from Truckee, California and drove around the eastern side of Lake Tahoe, with South Lake Tahoe on the southern end of the lake as our destination.  I was so taken in by the view of the lake and mountains under blue sky that I hadn't even noticed we had crossed into Nevada, which borders the eastern side of California's famous lake.  When I saw Crystal Bay, Nevada printed on the side of the post office as we flashed by on the curvy mountain road, I made Chris turn the car around. 

Just across the border in Crystal Bay, Nevada

Although I'm sure he was at least slightly embarrassed acting like such a tourist, he obligingly took a picture of me in front of the "Welcome to Nevada" sign.  The moment I strolled away though, a car pulled up and a family of four popped out.  They were clearly as excited as I was about documenting their arrival in Nevada.  

The little slice of Nevada we saw along the shores of Lake Tahoe was stunning.  Which was why I was taken aback and disappointed to be confronted with casinos just steps across the border.  Just like the bars and liquor stores that sit on the other side of the border from the dry town I grew up in in New Jersey, the first thing you see when crossing into Nevada at Crystal Bay is a casino.  No joke.

Thankfully, much of the lake shore consists of state park land and wildlife management areas and some of the prettiest views of Lake Tahoe.  At every turn on the mountain road we'd encounter yet another stunning view.  Miles of pine tree-studded forests lay in between lakeside villages. 

Then we saw huge, glass-sided buildings looming in the distance.  Not realizing that we were re-approaching the border with California, it didn't occur to us that, yup, more casinos.  It was depressing to think that all Nevada tries to lure you to their state with is gambling when they have so much natural beauty to offer that otherwise gets overlooked. 

Stateline Avenue divides Stateline, Nevada from South Lake Tahoe, California.  On one side of the street are these monstrosities. 

On the California side there's a village with hotels and condos built above shops and centered on a pedestrian plaza.  You know the city has strictly-enforced design standards when the McDonald's is disguised as a mountain chalet.  The gondola for the Heavenly Mountain Resort ends in the center of the village and at day's end, people carrying skis and snowboards mingle on the city sidewalks with the dinner crowd. 

Despite my distaste for gambling, I hope to see more of Nevada some day.  Outside the rooms full of slot machines and walls seeped with decades of smoke, is a beautiful state.