"On the road again...I just can't wait to get on the road again!" Well, actually, we probably could have waited and spent more time in Tahoe, but it was time to say our goodbyes this morning. We spent 5 full days off in Carson City and the Lake Tahoe area: our longest break yet! So, as you can imagine, getting back into the groove today was a bit difficult. 

We had a few small climbs right away leaving Carson City and getting to the tiny burg of Genoa (the first settlement in Nevada in 1851). We were impressed though with the number of bikers we saw today. None of them were touring cyclists, but they all seemed enthusiastic and friendly. While stopped in Woodfords, we talked to one cyclist named Bob who told us about the Death Ride (125 mile ride that goes up and down 4 major passes). It just happened yesterday and explained why we were seeing so many cars with bicycles on top.

We began our last big climb today: Carson Pass. We decided to divide the climb into two days since we haven't been riding for awhile. We stopped today at a little place called Hope Valley Resort (it's not really a resort rather a campground). This location was about 38 miles from Carson City and about halfway up the pass. Tomorrow morning we will (hopefully) reach the summit and can enjoy descending the Sierra Nevadas. 

We had some tasty food at the little restaurant here at Hope Valley Resort. We all got a veggie burger with fries and shared some apricot date walnut pie and a 7-layer bar for dessert. After lunch, it was time for napping, showering, reading, and avoiding the wrath of the too-friendly-too-hungry chipmunks!