In N' Out Burger
The photo is a typical food porn pic of mine. Insignificant! What was significant was the surface the burger sat on. It’s In-N-Out’s outdoor dining table in their patio area! I was traveling through Merced County, California when I stopped in the truck stop town of Santa Nella for a break after hours of driving.
I noticed people were eating at outside tables. Normally, I wouldn’t think twice about it, I would go through drive-thru, grab my food and be on my way. But after not having the privilege to sit and dine in public for a few months, I had to stop and try it out. Clearly, I had taken this ritual for granted.
What was once an annoyance to me was no more. I sat down and took notice to who was around me, I people watched, listened to the birds chirping, I soaked in the sun & fresh air, the blue skies and the sounds of vehicles roaring by. All the things I never paid attention to before at a fast food joint. Even my food seemed to taste better with this newfound novelty of dine-in.
As I watched people do lame, but entertaining things, I thought to myself…this is what “freedom” feels like! Such a simplistic moment on my psyche in all the chaos. Oh, and that double-double burger with fries both animal style…it was yum!
This was the beginning of a new era of eating and traveling in a covid world for me. Until a vaccine is available, this will be the way my food and booze travels go.
Stateline at South Lake Tahoe
I recently traveled to South Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side of the lake. Nevada went ahead and did a modified opening of their casinos and hotels, which included their bars at the top June.
I showed up 4 days after their opening. Yes, all employees had masks on and the hotel-casino checked my temperature before I could check-in. I noticed the hotel had employees cleaning slot machines, chairs, tables in an OCD way (which was good). Harrah’s only filled every other room and eliminated room service and daily room cleaning. They removed binders, magazines and glassware from the rooms.
Some customers had masks on and others didn’t (Harrah’s did not mandate it but encouraged it). Since this writing, Nevada reversed course, and now mandates that masks be worn in public at all times except when eating or drinking.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
One of the first things my buddy and I did after checking-in at Harrah’s Hotel, was walk over to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and sit in a near empty bar (there might have been 3 other people seated way more than 6 feet apart).
No drink service to the tables so we ordered at the bar. My first Jameson in a bar in a very long time.
Lucky Beaver Bar & Grill
From the Hard Rock we wandered over to the Lucky Beaver bar and grill. Of course, more Jameson for me and a Chicago style dog with Nathan’s hot dogs and a side of tots! The Jameson might have played a role in my thinking process, but I thought the Dog and Tots were pretty tasty! Proper spacing and employee masks were observed.
Lake Tahoe AleWorx!
We then went next door to the Lake Tahoe AleWorx bar and grill. For more, yeah you guessed it, Jameson!
Yugen Cuisine and Sushi Bar
We Ubered to the California side of South Lake Tahoe and, on the recommendation of a friend, had dinner at Yugen Cuisine and Sushi Bar. It recently opened as a new restaurant.
As you know, being a sushi chef, I look at other restaurant’s sushi, with a microscope. Or known as being a “sushi snob”!
Is it fair to be like that to a new place? Sure, why not! I know quality and not so quality fish when I see it! Even though it’s covid time, this business was busy, which is always a good sign!
Because they are new, they have some bugs to work out in regards to staffing, level of customer service, timing of orders and service to your table and presentation and slicing of fish. The food tasted good. They have a little way to go to being great tasting food! But they are well on their way!
Harrah's Hotel & Casino
After eating at the sushi joint, we returned to the hotel for a night cap! More Jameson of course!!
Driftwood Cafe
One of my favorite breakfast places in Tahoe is the Driftwood Cafe. It’s located in the Heavenly Village where the gondola takes you to the Heavenly Ski slopes.
Driftwood has been in business for years and serves basic and simple breakfast plates. I had the all meat omelette and one pancake with bananas on it.
Perfect meal to start your day hiking the lake and wooded areas of Lake Tahoe.
Eastern side of Lake Tahoe
My poor buddy! I took him with me on my hike through the woods and along side the Eastern half of the lake on the Nevada side. He slipped and bashed his knee on the jagged rocks suffering a minor injury that involved some spill of blood!
But the blood spill was not in vain. The struggles of the hike was worth the scenery and beauty of Lake Tahoe.
Round 2 at the Lucky Beaver!
For his sacrifice and injury during the hike at the lake, I bought him lots of beer to numb the pain!
Red Hut Cafe
The next morning on our way out of Lake Tahoe and home bound, we stopped at Red Hut Cafe in South Lake Tahoe for some grub! I forgot what it was named, but basically it had the kitchen sink in it!
I Shall Never Forget!
My travel to Tahoe was not for my usual reasons. It was dedicated to my friend and colleague from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office in California. Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller was murdered in the line of duty on June 6, 2020.
I came to Tahoe to reflect and mourn the loss of a wonderful soul and say good-bye to him on the lakeside with a toast of Jameson in his honor. I raised my bottle of Jameson and said this to him:
“I’m a better man for knowing you Damon! You bravely gave your all in the face of pure evil. The ultimate sacrifice! Those of us left behind have picked up your sword and will continue on. Evil will never win. We will keep coming no matter how many of us fall. There will always be someone behind us to pick up the sword. You can rest easy now Brother. We’ve got this from here! I will never forget your signature smile and I shall never forget you Damon. I don’t like goodbyes, so I will say…see you in the heavens later…but not too soon. I love you Brother”
And then I drank the bottle dry!
That was awesome Paul!!
Thanks Dave!
You hit it puts the park again,love your blogs!
Thanks Kevin!