They were asked to take photos, provide journal entries on how they selected to spend the money.
The Finck Family is from Michigan. Here is their journal entry:
The Finck Family Journal – South Lake Tahoe, CA
Sunday – May 10, 2009.
We began our family vacation in South Lake Tahoe staying at the Tahoe Beach & Ski Club where we had a gorgeous view of Lake Tahoe from our comfortable waterfront suite. The resort was perfectly situated amidst the natural beauty that Lake Tahoe has to offer. The weather was just beautiful as we spent the afternoon of Mother’s Day poolside enjoying some swimming, soaking up the sun and relaxing with some of our family that lives in the Tahoe area. The hospitality at the Resort could not have been better.
Later that day we had a wonderful Mother’s Day dinner at Passaretti’s on Emerald Bay Road where we dined on Italian cuisine such as Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Saltimbocca and Fettuccini Alfredo. The meal was delicious and the atmosphere was family oriented and very welcoming. After finishing our meals, we topped off our day by visiting Heavenly Village and indulging in some dessert at the Cold Stone Creamery. We sat around the fire pit provided by Heavenly Village enjoying our ice cream and having some great conversation with people that we met from Australia. What a great way to spend Mother’s Day with family and Lake Tahoe.
Monday – May 11, 2009
On Monday, we took a scenic tour through the mountains and visited the Olympic Village at Squaw Valley. Along the way, we stopped at a few scenic points where we enjoyed the scenery overlooking Lake Tahoe such as Emerald Bay. The view was just gorgeous where we spent some time taking some precious family photos. On the road trip we were able to view the house on Lake Tahoe where some of the scenes from the Godfather movie were filmed. That was very interesting. Once we arrived at Squaw Valley we explored the many shops in the Olympic Village and purchased a few items. We bought a snowboard and bag for my son Christopher and a snowboarding jacket for our son Garrett at Tait’s Boardshop where the deals were too good to pass up. How many people can actually say they purchased their snowboarding equipment from the Olympic Village at Squaw Valley when you live in the State of Michigan? We also collected some Squaw Valley and Olympic stickers to be displayed on their snowboards and helmets. What an adventure that was taking some great pictures of the Village.
After that we drove further up the road and visited the historic town of Truckee. We explored the many shops and boutiques in the Downtown Truckee area enjoying the surroundings this quaint little town had to offer.
On our way out of Truckee we ate at Smokey’s Kitchen (located on Donner Pass Road) where we enjoyed some smoked barbecue dishes such as grilled barbecue chicken, smoked barbecue bisque and barbecued pulled pork sandwiches. The food was delicious and plentiful with a very casual eating atmosphere.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Today we took the Emerald Bay Sightseeing Cruise on the M.S. Dixie II out of Zephyr Cove on Lake Tahoe. What a relaxing and enjoyable boat ride this was for our family
. While cruising Lake Tahoe and enjoying some wonderful scenery we indulged in a few drinks from the bar and ordered some lunch that included turkey wraps, fish tacos, calamari and fried zucchini strips. The food was just delicious and the staff couldn’t have been more courteous. The boat tour took us in Emerald Bay where the water was a gorgeous green color (hence the name Emerald Bay) where we listened to some interesting narration of the Bay’s history and took some great pictures. We enjoyed the trip immensely and recommend it to anyone visiting the Tahoe area.
Later that evening we enjoyed a dinner at Moe’s Bar & Grill located across the street from Tahoe Beach and Ski to enjoy a relaxing casual dinner. There we were able to watch the Detroit Red Wing/Anaheim Ducks hockey playoff game on one of their big screen televisions. YEAH!! Detroit Red Wings won! GO RED WINGS!!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Today was a day of shopping at the Heavenly Ski Village where we visited many of their unique stores. We purchased a snowboard and bag for my daughter, Lauren, at Heavenly Sports Shop to bring back with us to Michigan. Again, the deals were too good to pass up on the
snowboarding equipment. We also collected various Heavenly snowboarding stickers for the kids to display on their snowboards and helmets. We also purchased other trinkets such as mugs, t-shirts, sandals, etc. to bring back with us to share with family and friends.
Later that evening, we shopped at the local grocery store and purchased food items to have a family barbecue on the beach of Lake Tahoe at Tahoe Beach and Ski where we were staying. My sons, Garrett and Christopher, enjoyed tossing the football around on the shores of the water and also enjoyed a few games of horseshoes with their father. In the meantime, my daughter, Lauren and I spent some quality time with our 3 year old granddaughter Olivia and 3 month old grandson Layne, who live in Tahoe with their parents. A good time was had by all.
Thursday – May 14, 2009
Today we took a short road trip to the Glen Alpine Waterfalls t
hat were just beautiful. The waterfall was rushing with plenty of water calling for some wonderful picture opportunities. On the way back we stopped at “The Beacon Bar & Grill” located on the waterfront of Camp Richardson Club & Marina. With a variety of food to choose from, we dined on barbecued chicken wings, Blackened Mahi sandwich, Beacon’s famous fish and chips and deep fried calamari. The food was delicious and very filling………….Oh yeah! The rum runners were great too!!
Later that evening, we enjoyed another family barbecue to spend some quality time with our Tahoe family members before we left the Tahoe area.
Friday – May 15, 2009
As our Lake Tahoe trip drew to an end we checked out of the Tahoe Beach & Ski Club and said goodbye to our family members that live in Tahoe. The five of us drove to San Francisco for the rest of the afternoon and evening to catch our flight out the next day to Michigan.
Thank you to South Lake Tahoe and Tahoe Beach & Ski Club for a wonderful family vacation and many precious memories. This is a place where we will definitely visit again to enjoy the many offerings of Lake Tahoe.
The Frederick Family is from Goleta, California here is their journal entry:
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Breakfast at Lakeside Casino. John stopped at flyshop in Tahoe. Flyfished with brother at Lake Topaz and Walker river. Renee shopped at various shops and boutiques in Stateline and South Lake Tahoe. Lunch at MontBleu. John and Renee visit Zephyr Cove Beach. BBQ with John's brother and his wife.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Breakfast at Lakeside Inn. Gaming afterwards. Lunch at Edgewood. Shopping South Lake Tahoe. Drive to Cave Rock. Dinner at the Carson Valley Country Club Basque restaurant.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Attend Nephews graduation at University Nevada Reno. Shopping and lunch at Cabela's in Reno. Dinner at the Chart House.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Breakfast at Lakeside Inn. Graduation celebration at private residence all day.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Depart 6am for home.
Thank you!
This video captures a glimpse of both families them enjoying beach activities and dining in Lake Tahoe.
