Steve’s Skyland Retreat

Arrival time: 4:00 p.m. Departure time:  11:00 a.m.

If you are not out of the house by the required departure time, you will be charged half a day’s rate amount. In the case of a back to back booking, there is no choice but to be out by 11:00 am. If the cleaning crew is delayed, it does not allow them enough time to do their cleaning.   Keep in mind, they generally have more than one house to clean  between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm.

 

DIRECTIONS

From San Francisco Airport:

1)  Start out going WEST on            departing flights towards DOMESTIC TERMINAL EXIT by turning left = .19 miles

2)  Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto DOMESTIC TERMINAL EXIT = .04 miles

3)  Stay straight to go onto DOMESTIC TERMINAL EXIT = .17 miles

4)  Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto AIRPORT EXIT = .15 miles

5)  Take the US-101 N/I-380 W ramp towards I-280/SAN FRANCISCO / SAN BRUNO = .12 miles

6)  Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp = .22 miles

7)  Merge onto US-101 N = 11.03 miles

8)  Take I-80 E towards BAY BRIDGE / OAKLAND / SEVENTH ST / US-101 N = .09 miles

9)  Merge onto I-80 E = 81.18 miles

10)  Take CAPITAL CITY FRWY towards SACRAMENTO / SOUTH LAKE TAHOE = .15 miles

11)  Merge onto CAPITAL CITY FRWY = 5.05 miles

12)  Stay straight to go onto US-50 E = about 110 miles.  Go past all the casinos (Harrah’s, Harvey’s, Horizon, Caesar’s and Lakeside Inn).  You will see Roundhill Shopping Center, with Safeway grocery store on your right, about a mile up the road.  Another 4 miles and you will see Zephyr Cove Resort on the left.  The entrance to Skyland is about a mile past the stop light at the Resort.  When you see the fence with brick columns topped by carriage lanterns and scalloped wood fence, you will know that the entrance is near.  There is a left turn lane to make the turn safer.

13)  Turn LEFT into Skyland at Tahoe St.


From Reno / Tahoe Airport:

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1)  Start out going West on E PLUMB LN towards DURHAM RD by turning right

2)  Turn LEFT to take the US-395 S ramp toward CARSON CITY.

3)  Merge onto US-395 S

4)  Take the US-395 S exit- exit number 578 - towards VIRIGINIA CITY / CARSON CITY / SO LAKE TAHOE.

5)  Merge onto US-395

6)  Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto US-50

7)  Continue up the hill past Spooner Summit and the highway will veer off to the left.  You will be passing Glenbrook and Cave Rock before you see the fence which indicates the entrance to Skyland.  The fence has brick columns with carriage lamps on the top and then the wood fence scallops between the columns.  When you see the fence, start slowing down and you should see a sign that says Tahoe St.  Turn RIGHT into the development.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

1)  We have contracted with All Clean Snow Removal. If you need to contact them, their number is: (775) 588-6954

2)   Barbecue Info - We purchased a propane barbecue for your enjoyment and use. However we cannot guarantee that the tank is always full. If you are barbecuing at night, the light switch for the outside lights is in the dining room by the patio sliding door.  There is a light fixture right above the barbecue and it makes it easy to see what you are doing. If the propane is depleted, you can go to Scotty’s Hardware at 264 Kingbury Grade, Stateline for a refill. Take Hwy 50 towards the casinos. Pass Roundhill Shopping Center on the left and then Lakeside Inn on the right. The next stop light is Kingsbury Grade. Turn left and Scotty’s is on the left side of the street. Another possibility if you are going through South Lake Tahoe, you can stop at the Grocery Outlet, which isn’t too far from the “Y”.

3)  PLEASE HELP US WITH THE GAS AND ELECTRIC BILLS by turning off lights and the heater when possible!!!!  In this economy, we are really having a hard time with huge bills. We would appreciate your help!!! 

5)  The linens for the sofa bed are in the credenza in the living room.

6)  There are numerous paperback books for those who like to relax with a book.  Please don’t take them, unless you replace with a different paperback.

8)  The thermostats are located upstairs, in the master bedroom to the right of the mirror, and in the living room to the right of the fire place.  Downstairs it is in the middle bedroom over the bed. For your information, I have learned that this type of baseboard heating is very efficient, unlike forced air with its cold air return and drafts, so in the winter, it is very comfortable set even at 68 degrees.  (At home, with our forced air heater, I keep my thermostat at 70 and even then can sometimes be cold.)

9)  The code for the lockbox is 6-3-0.

10)  It is imperative that you take a shower before going into the spa.  If the spa is entered too many times with lotions, sun screen, etc., it makes the chemicals lose their potency and when the spa is serviced again, instead of just adding the chemicals, the spa company has to completely drain the spa and possibly even scour it down.  For this reason, if the spa needs to be drained, which takes an additional hour and a half, the extra cost of $50 will be deducted from your security deposit/credit card!

11)  We have contracted with Charter Communications for their bundle program. What this includes is unlimited long distance within the United States and Canada. All other international calls are blocked. The television now has digital cable with additional stations, all the music channels (the 900’s), and HBO and Cinmax premium stations. There is high speed internet. I have purchased a wireless router. I would like to get it installed when I am in Tahoe in Sept. or Oct. When set up, look for the username BlackLynn and enter the phone number of the house 7755883944.

12)  Our neighbors are full time residents.  Please respect their neighborhood by being quiet at a reasonable time. 

13)  Fireplace – Due to protection of air quality in the Tahoe Basin, we request that you use manufactured logs similar to the complimentary log we have provided for use in the winter. Please use only one log at a time.  In this era of gas fireplace appliances, there just many people who don’t know how to use a wood fireplace properly, and therefore the owner is concerned about fire. Because the lake is located in a basin, the smoke does not escape, so it has become a highly charged issue to the locals. In addition, it causes problems for the staff, and most importantly, it can be a problem because of hot embers igniting carpet, etc.

14)  There is a restrictor on the light switch in the entry hall so that you know not to turn it off. We have the outside lights on a light sensor so that they come on automatically at dark for the safety of our guests, so we would appreciate it if you would not turn this switch off. Thanks

15)  For those using the lock box, it is located on the post on the upstairs front porch.  If you go to the front door and look back towards the street, you can easily see it on the post.

16)  The stove in this home has a glass top.  For those who have not cleaned this type of stovetop, you need to use the cream liquid which is under the sink, Bar Keepers, scratchy pad (not Brillo), or Zud.  Also, be careful not to drop anything on the top.  Housekeeping has been informed to look for any chip in the glass, because it then runs, like a windshield, and has to be replaced. (I have had my glass top at home for 12 years with no problems, but I learned of this from a friend who has a rental in the Tahoe Keys.  She is on her second replacement cooktop!) The replacement is about the cost of the security deposit, so please be careful!

17)  The house is fully stocked with linens.  The kitchen has a full supply of pots and pans, dishes, glasses, utensils, etc.  There is a dishwasher, microwave, coffee pot, can opener, blender, toaster, hand mixer, etc.

18)  Please let us know of any housekeeping problems by calling us at 925-286-7351, or call Alison Fradd at High Level Services – (775) 843 7898.

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21)  Spa problems may be addressed by High Level Services at 775-843-7898.

22)  We have had a few cases in which guests have called because the refrigerator isn’t cold enough. What we have learned from experience and as a result of calling out a repairman is this: the dials inside the refrigerator that adjusts the refrigerator and freezer should both be set in the mid-range. Guests coming in with boxes of food that they want to get cold quickly, erroneously think that by setting the refrigerator to the coldest setting will get the food cold faster. However, what happens is it does exactly the opposite. I don’t understand exactly how it works, but it has something to do with the defrost mode in the freezer. By turning down the temperature in the refrigerator, the freezer develops an ice block and thinks it needs to defrost. It then starts to warm up the refrigerator, doing exactly the opposite of what you would think it would do. Please leave the refrigerator dial in the middle.

23)  The problem of garbage has become our biggest problem. As a result, we have discontinued using the “bear box garbage receptacle. The Homeowners’ Association is becoming really upset by the bears being attracted to the garbage. As a result, there were two incidents this summer of bears actually breaking into homes in the Tahoe area. Since bears are attracted to anything with an aroma, please do not leave food or garbage outside, or even in vehicles. We now will leave the garage door open so that our guests can bag up their garbage and leave it in the garage for housekeeping to remove (not in the green bear box!!).  We used to have the door to the garage locked. Please leave it unlocked for the next guests. The cleaning fee is based on no more than 3 garbage cans, based on a week long stay. The garbage cans have been left in the garage. If you have recyclebles, try to tear apart and flatten cardboard boxes and crush cans and plastic bottles. If there is more than the allotted number of cans, an additional fee of $10 per garbage bag will be assessed because it causes the cleaners to make more than one trip to the Transfer Station. Thank you in advance.

24)  Pease have a wonderful time in this home, but at the same time please respect this home and also the neighbors!  All the neighbors are aware that this is a rental and have been instructed to call us (or the police if we can’t be reached) in the case of any rowdiness.  I know you understand why we have to protect our neighbor’s rights . There is now a large financial penalty to the owners for “noise pollution” caused by guests between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. If we are informed of a problem by the homeowners’ association or the police, the entire $550 security deposit will be forfeited. We must protect the owner’s interest. Please understand that Lake Tahoe is trying to balance the interests of the local residents with the desires of the vacation renters who are in Lake Tahoe for an enjoyable getaway.

NICE TO KNOW PLACES AND ACTIVITIES:

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Some of the highlights that we have enjoyed (I will add others as our guests report about their favorites, so please report in):

FOOD:

1)  Our favorite place for reasonable meals is the Lakeside Inn.  Their breakfast special is $3.99 for 2 eggs, choice of 2 strips of bacon or sausage, and choice of pancakes, French toast, or hash browns and toast.  In addition they have a daily special, which is wonderful for $5.99 (Our favorite is prime rib, eggs, hash browns and toast.  Yummy!)  For dinner, they have a wonderful prime rib dinner for $9.99, and other choices which are also reasonably priced. 

2)  If you want a special night out, try the Edgewood at the Edgewood Golf Course.  Since it is right on the lake, it has a spectacular view, and the dinners run up to $24.95.  You have to plan in advance for this treat because it books up early!!

3)  Café Fiore is a little hole in the wall with fabulous food.  It’s prices run from the mid teens to the mid 20’s.

4)  The Red Hut is one of the locals’ favorite stops for breakfast and lunch.  The wait can be long, but there are 3 locations.  One is in South Lake Tahoe on Hwy 50 in California, and the other is on Kingsbury Grade in Stateline, NV. They have just added a third location at Hwy 50 and Ski Run Blvd in South Lake Tahoe, CA.

5)  Ernie’s is in South Lake Tahoe, our by the “Y” and is a good choice if you’re in that area and want breakfast or lunch. 

6)  The Beacon is out at Camp Richardson and offers dining inside and outside with views of the lake.

7)  Zephyr Cove Resort in Zephyr Cove, NV., offers dining inside and outside with wonderful views of the lake. 

ACTIVITIES:

1)  Zephyr Cove Resort offers so many activities and only a mile down the road.  In the summer time they have horse back riding, the M. S. DIXIE II paddle wheeler,  the WOODWIND catamaran, sport fishing charters, parasailing, rentals of boats, jet skis, peddle boats, canoes, and kayaks. In the winter time they have snowmobiles which take you up to Spooner Summit for a breathtaking ride with gorgeous views of the lake (especially if the day is clear and sunny.)

2)  Skyland Private Beach is found by going to Tahoe Dr. turning right and then left at Skyland Dr.  It is on the right side of the street.

3)  The “Y” Outlet shopping is located at the intersection of Hwys 50 and 89.

4)  Nevada Beach is a favorite on the Nevada side of the state line.  It isn’t as crowded as Regan and Pope Beaches on the California side.

5)  Horizan/Mont Bleu craft fairs are ongoing throughout the summer on the weekends.  They are fun for those one of a kind purchases.

6)  Round Hill Shopping Center craft fairs are held every other weekend.

7)  Make sure you check the Harrah’s and Mont Bleu's web sites for upcoming celebrity attractions and book in advance. 

8)  The Visitor’s Center in California has a wonderful nature hike (all year long), and also will give you directions to all kinds of spectacular hikes and other activities. This is located on the right side of Highway 89 heading towards Emerald Bay.  Don’t miss the Tallac Historic Homes.  They are the homes of the early Tahoe settlers such as the Baldwins and the Popes. Try to visit Angora Lake since it is only about a half mile hike, but the rewards of their well-known lemonade at the end of the trail make it truly rewarding.  Cascade Falls are another nice hike and have been recommended to me by the Record family from Indiana.

9) The Visitor’s Center in Nevada is located across the street from the Lakeside Inn, and it has more informational fliers on things to do in Lake Tahoe/Carson Valley than you could do in a week. No matter what your interest, they have fliers to point you in the right direction.

10)  Vikingsholm is an authentic Viking inspired home built at the turn of the 20th Century.  The tour is really interesting.

11)  The Heavenly Valley Tram Ride is very scenic and in the winter time, if you ride up to the top, they have tubing available which is fun for kids of all ages according to Jo Nell, a 50’s something from Texas.

If you do something you would like passed on to others, PLEASE let me know.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE:

1)  Make sure all the lights are off with the exception of the one light in the corner of the living room by the green sofa, and the outside lights upstairs.

2)  Please help us to conserve energy by turning the thermostat down to 55 degrees at night and when you leave.

4)  Make sure the flue to the fireplace is closed.

5)  In the kitchen, make sure any dirty dishes are placed in the dishwasher and run, and the counters are washed.

6)  In the bedrooms, DO NOT remake the beds since housecleaning does not know how many people have stayed in the house.  If the sofa bed is used, please remove the sheets and leave it on the sofa, again, so housekeeping knows the linens have been used.

7)  In the bathrooms, please pile up the used towels.

8)  We have left laundry detergent, so it would be nice if you could start some of the linens before leaving so that the housekeepers don't overload the washer.  Thanks!

9)  In the garage, check to make sure there are no personal clothes in the washer / dryer.

10)  Make sure the SPA cover is closed and locked.

11)  The green garbage receptacle that we purchased to keep bears away has been a major problem, so we have discontinued our garbage pickup. Housekeeping will dispose of the trash, so please leave it bagged up in the garage.

12) Lock all the doors and windows. Unplug any small appliances in the kitchen. Thank you in advance!!

13) PLEASE TAKE A SECOND LOOK AROUND. Have you looked for your personal belongings in the bed linens, under the beds, in the closets and drawers? Do you have your cell phone charger, cameras, lap tops? Did you leave your hair drier or curling iron? You can’t believe what is left behind, and our house keeping staff is not good at getting it in the mail if you leave something behind!!!!

14) We would prefer that the furniture within the house not be moved. However, if you move furniture around, please return it to where you found it upon arrival. If the cleaners have to move furniture back, extra employees are called in, and an additional $75 will be deducted from your security deposit.

15)  In order to get your entire deposit back, the house must not show any undo wear and tear or damage, and an inventory will be done of the sheets, pillows, towels, etc. 

15)  Replace the keys in the lockbox for the next guests.

 

We hope you had a wonderful stay, and as they say in the south, “Y’all come back!!”