R.I.P. The Big Man

Sunday 19th June 2011

I learnt the sad news while I was checking twitter that the E Street band's Saxophonist Clarence Clemons died overnight following complications from a stroke that he had had a few days earlier. Surely this would mean the end of the band? 

Another hot sunny day greeted us and we started it off with a boat trip around Lake Tahoe on the "Tahoe Queen".

A beautiful day

Ready for action

Local brew

Local brew

 

It's hard to appreciate the size of the lake until you're actually out on it and the scenery is just fantastic, it's like stepping into one of those photos you see in The National Geographic magazine whilst waiting at the doctors. It must have been impressive as we brought a photo taken of us on the cruise.

Our souvenir picture

After the boat trip around the lake we headed to the "Heavenly Gondola" For a 2.4 mile trip up the mountain to the observation deck.  It's 9,123 feet above the lake where we were greeted by snow on the ground. The views over Lake Tahoe, the Carson Valley and the surrounding mountains were superb, the whole place is just so pretty. We had lunch at the restaurant up there before returning back down to the sunshine.

It was late in the afternoon by the time we got back to the hotel, Sharon took advantage of the on site laundry facilities. We spent the "wash time" time in the Jacuzzi and swimming pool, good time management I'd suggest. I wanted to take some photos of the sunset, so before dinner we went out to the lake, unfortunately it was not as spectacular as the previous evening although I got some decent pictures.

Weddings are big business here

The Sebring outside the motel

The playlist
You're A Friend Of Mine by Jackson Browne and Clarence Clemons - tribute to the big man.
Cadillac Ranch by Bruce Springsteen - heard this on the radio aboard The Tahoe Queen.