Flight booked!

Things were tight and we didn't think we were going to be able to get back out until June at the earliest, but things have gotten a lot better so we've got our trip planned and flight booked!

So, will be traveling from April 9th- April 16th. Originally going to fly out of Orlando-- saw a flight for $128 r/t with Southwest, but were too slow and lost it. So will be flying into Vegas from Tampa, with America West... more expensive, but does have the advantage of being n/s both ways, and plus, no parking hassle with Tampa-- my mom can drive us to and from the airport.

Like all our trips, a bunch of time will be spent outside Vegas itself. On past trips, we've done both north and south rims of the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Death Valley, Sedona, you name it. The one place we haven't done is Tahoe... going to correct that oversight this time. I've always wanted to go there.

So, right now, plan looks like this (still haven't booked the hotels as we're a tiny bit unsure about details-- might benefit from advice from folks here on the Tahoe part):

Get into Vegas Sat. night. Go directly up to Cedar City Utah for the night (save some $$ that way). Sun.-- possibly to Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon, a place we have done before, but more likely directly to Tahoe, up I-15 and across 50 (we've always wanted to go all the way across Nevada on the "Lonliest Road"). Two or three nights there, then back to Vegas and the Tropicana for the rest of the nights. Luckily, all the nights at the Trop except the Friday night should be comped, and I'm sure I can get a decent rate for the Friday.

Questions:

*How many hours from Tahoe back to Vegas on 95?

*We're looking to stay on the south shore of the lake... possibly here as I did see a $45 rate on Expedia and it has an indoor pool. However, all the rates look pretty good for there in that time frame. Would it be worth the extra $20-$30 a night or so to stay at Caesars or Harrah's? Should I take the Priceline gamble and see what I can get cheap?

*I'm reading some negatives on Reno-- worth the short drive up there one evening to check it out?

We'll definitely do the drive around the lake. Some of the things to do that look interesting so far-

http://www.squaw.com/winter/pool.html

http://www.skiheavenly.com/tickets_rentals/gondola/

Would love to do some snowboarding too if we do the extra day there, but don't know what the snow conditions will be like then.

As for Vegas, we'll do our usual... the sights, a couple nice meals maybe, some time in the casino. Not as big a gambling budget as on a few other trips (which is never that big to begin with), but enough to have a little fun.

[ March 18, 2005, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: Paka ]

 

Can't answer your questions, but I have a question for you . When you went to the south rim of GC, did you stay overnight? I am researching places for an overnight stay in October and am looking for people that may have stayed at any of the places right nearby (Bright Angel Lodge, Maswick Lodge, etc). I was considering staying in Williams, but if I can get a place right at GC for $77/night and it's clean, I'd rather stay closer since it's just an overnight trip.

Sure wish I could get a $128 airline rate from RDU!!!

 

We've never stayed overnight at the rim itself... we've done day-trips from Vegas (LONG!) and have also stayed in Flagstaff (on a trip when we also did Sedona). I've wanted to stay at the El Tovar, but too pricey and you have to book pretty far in advance.

You might want to look into the Days Inn in Williams-- indoor pool and, when I've looked at them in the past, good rates.

I wish we were faster and could have gotten the $128... waited ONE day and it was gone! Would have meant changing planes both ways, paying for parking, and the cattle-call boarding, though. Granted we're not planning this as far in advance as we usually plan our trips, so that hurt us.

 

It looks like from South Lake Tahoe to Vegas, you're looking at about 7 hours. Here's the link on Yahoo Maps: http://maps.yahoo.com/dd_result?ed=xTowJeV.wimQQVd6MsEKU7USFw--&csz=south+lake+tahoe%2C+ca&country=us&tcsz=las+vegas%2C+nv&tcountry=us

I think that's the easiest way for you to go from what I've checked out.

And Tahoe got a crap load of snow during this last storm, plus the storm that's supposed to hit CA this next 5 days should add a little more. I don't think the ski conditions will be a problem for you.

 

Excellent!! Thanks!

Too bad the eastern pass into Yosemite is closed until late May... otherwise would be easy to pay it a visit, going that way.

 

About 5 years ago I stayed just outside the GC area at a HI Express. Nothing fancy, but it was a Holiday Inn Express. It was just south of the entrance to the Grand Canyon National Park.

Hope that helps!

 

Paka as you sound open to suggestion you should look at driving 93 to 50. Gas up in Alamo look at Cathedral Gorge SP, drive through Pinoche and there are cheap places to stay in Ely. Taking 318 to 6 to 50 will be shorter, good road but will miss Catheral Gorge and Pinoche.

Enjoy your trip

 

93 is a beautiful drive. We've come back that way from Great Basin National Park several times (we'd spend a day or two doing some fossil hunting near Delta, Utah, then cut over on 50 to Great Basin then back down 93 to Vegas).

Good idea... I'll look into hotels along there. Our flight won't get in Saturday until after 10 at night, so we don't want to go more than a few hours-- Ely would be too far, but could make Pioche. Definitely less out of the way than I-15, though late at night the interstate might be easier, and was thinking of stopping at Mesquite for a quick slot fix.

Hmm... another option would be staying in Cedar City that night, but then cutting over to Panaca, south of Pioche, on 56/319. Perhaps get the best of both worlds that way.

Thanks!

 

Well, everything is booked. Spending the nights of the 12-14th in Vegas itself.

Decided to spend our last night of the trip at Ruby's Inn in Bryce; nice place, we've been there before. Gave us a decent price on a room with a jacuzzi tub when I called, and since our flight doesn't leave til 11 at night Sat., gives us plenty of time to drive back to Vegas. Spending our first night out there in Fillmore instead of Cedar City; we'll get in LATE but have an easier drive the next day and be better able to enjoy it.

Glad we have the comped rooms at the Trop... out of curiousity, checked the rates at different places that week; they are HIGH. Must be conventions going on or something.

Gas prices are going to stink. Last trip I took a snapshot of the prices in Death Valley; if we make a sidetrip through there on the way back to Vegas from Tahoe, I'll be sure to take another. Thought they were high then, but they'll be even worse now.



We're just going to take 50 to 95 back to Vegas; looks like if we we're to go 395, there is a good chance the pass into Nevada would be closed that time of year.

Decided to go with the Holiday Lodge in Tahoe-- reading mixed reviews, but we aren't too picky as long as its clean, and it does have an indoor pool. The price is great at $38 a night through Expedia (down from the original $45 rate). Good location too.