Dinner Cruise to Emerald Bay

The Thursday night of our reunion in Tahoe, Mom and Dad bravely (with help from dear Aunt C and Uncle N) took the five grandchildren (ranging in age from 1 yr to 7 yrs) to spoil them rotten at Burger King for dinner and then back home for games and a movie. What did the married kids do? Mom and Dad sent us all off on a fun, sunset scenic, and yummy dinner cruise from Zephyr Cove to Emerald Bay on the M.S. Dixie II. Thanks Mom and Dad!

The M.S. Dixie II

This cruise ship is a paddle wheeler that came to Lake Tahoe in 1993 to replace the M.S. Dixie which had sailed on Lake Tahoe since 1949 and local legend states met it's demise when it sank. The M.S. Dixie II is U.S. Coast Guard certified for up to 570 passengers. It was originally constructed on the headwaters of the Mississippi, then transported over 2,000 miles on transport rigs nearly a football field in length, to its home port.

The Great Paddle wheel

We left on our cruise from Zephyr Cove, just before sunset and headed across Lake Tahoe to the beautiful and pristine Emerald Bay, which is located on the California side of the lake, and where the waters live up to their name.

Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe, NV

Leaving the cove, headed for Emerald Bay

Emerald Bay during the day

Emerald Bay at sunset

Located at the head of Emerald Bay, is a Scandinavian designed 38 roomed castle--Vikingsholm-- that was built as a summer home in 1929 by Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. The castle now sits as a museum for visitors with tours given daily from mid-June through the end of September. The castle can be accessed by boat or by a two-mile hike. Someday I'd like to try the hike and take a tour.

Vikingsholm during the day

Notice the emerald color of the water?

J-rod and Zippy as we entered Emerald Bay at sunset

J-rod and Zippy as seen through BJ's lens

All the married kids out on a date night.

Thanks again Mom and Dad!