Are you nervous about what could happen if you couldn’t make your trip and what are some covered reasons for Trip Cancellation/Interruption?

There are many different types of trip insurance available, but Trip Cancellation and Interruption protection is the most important benefit you should look for. If your trip has to be cancelled for covered reasons such as illness, accident, death of a family member or traveling companion, jury duty, weather conditions which cause delay/ cancellation of travel or fire or flood in your home, this coverage protects your investment and will reimburse the normally non-refundable payments you make for your vacation rental, airline tickets and other covered travel related fees.

If you miss your planned departure for a covered reason, you may also be covered for additional travel expenses to reach your destination. If you have to interrupt a trip due to a covered illness, this insurance will cover your transportation home. Please see InsureMyTrip.com for details on this coverage.

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:
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.
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

1)  The thermostat is located in the pool room on the downstairs level. Please help us try to conserve energy by setting the thermostat down when you are not in the house and at night.

2)  There is extra toilet paper in each of the bathroom cabinets.

3)  The house is fully stocked with linens so there is no need to bring sheets, blankets, or towels (10 sets of towels - bath, hand and wash cloth).  The kitchen has a full supply of pots and pans, dishes, glasses, utensils, etc.  .

4)  We have contracted with Scott’s Clean Sweep for snow removal. If you need to contact them, their numbers are: office (530) 544-6663 or Scott (530) 308-8044.

5)  The code for the lock to the spa is the address backwards, which is  __-__-__.

6)  Please make sure you lock the hot tub whenever you leave it, for the safety of your party and also for the safety of the neighborhood children.

7)  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, the cost of $45 will be deducted from your security deposit!

18) We have had problems with the green "bear box garbage receptacle" with neighboring visitors using it, filling it to overflowing and then animals (especially bears) getting into it and spreading the garbage all over the street. For that reason, we discontinued our garbage pickup and we ask our guests to bag up their garbage and leave it in the garage for housekeeping to dispose of. If you bring things home from the stores in cardboard boxes, please flatten them for recycling and crush cans and plastic bottles to reduce the number of bags. If you have more than 3 garbage cans full of garbage/recycling, you are subject to an extra fee since it will take an additional trip to the Tahoe Transfer Station, which is a half hour drive from Zephyr Cove. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

9)  Housekeeping problems may be addressed by calling me at (925) 286-7351, or by calling Alison Fradd at High Level Services at 775-843-7898.

10)  Spa problems may be addressed by calling Alison Fradd at High Level Services at 775-843-7898.

11)  Whenever there is a housekeeping problem or spa problem, please let us know so that we can address the situation. If there is something amiss, we need to know.

12)  We have had a problem with the electrical circuit blowing (the two bedrooms over the garage and the hallway) when too much power is drawn. Unfortunately, Sierra Valley Electric said that it would be excessively expensive to re-wire into more circuits. The problem seems to happen when people have the TV’s and lights on and then try to iron and blow-dry their hair. In the case that this happens, the circuit breaker box is in the closet under the staircase. Re-set the breaker and you should be fine. Any questions on how to do it, call me at (925) 286-7351.

13)  The wireless is private. To access wireless, find the wireless entitled Black, and the code is the phone number of the house – __-__-__-__-__-__-__-.

14  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. 

15)  Please have a wonderful time in this beautiful 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 would understand why we have to protect this very special place. 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 $750 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.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

1)  Please DO NOT RE-MAKE  your bed since the cleaners do not know how many people stayed in the house. In the same vein, if you used the pull out sleeper sofa, remove the linens and put them in the laundry room.

2)  Leave soiled towels either in the bathroom piled up, or in the laundry room.

3)  Make sure the hot tub is closed and locked.

4)  Unplug the kitchen appliances.

5)  Place dishes in the dishwasher and run. Wash the kitchen counter and stove.

6)  Make sure all windows and doors are locked.

7)  Leave the lamp by the front door and the outside porch lights on.

8)  Bag up the garbage and leave it in the garage.

9)  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!!!! Remember, they do not speak English, so the orders are difficult for them to follow.  

10)  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 $50 will be deducted from your security deposit.

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

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

NICE TO KNOW PLACES AND ENTERTAINMENT:

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 $2.99 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 $4.99 (Our favorite is prime rib, eggs, hash browns and toast.  Yummy!)  For dinner, they have a wonderful prime rib dinner for $7.99, 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 2 locations.  One is in South Lake Tahoe on Hwy 50 in California, and the other is on Kingsbury Grade in Stateline, Nv.

5)  Frank’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 ourside 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 St. 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 craft fairs are ongoing throughout the summer on the weekends.  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 web site for upcoming celebrity attractions and book in advance. 

8)  The Visitor’s Center has a wonderful nature hike (all year long), and also will give you directions to all kinds of spectacular hikes and other activities.  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)  Vikingsholm is an authentic Viking inspired home built at the turn of the 20th Century.  The tour is really interesting.

10)  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.

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