Since the information sheet was not available at last night's
kickoff, here are the details for the Tahoe trip:


Lake Tahoe, NV/CA - March 4-9, 2009

LAKE TAHOE, HERE WE COME!

This trip is basically a rerun of the trip we did last year. Everyone
on that trip was very satisfied with the arrangements. Added to this
is an optional day trip to Squaw Valley. Once again we are working
with Mary Hajdas
at Heavenly vacations (info below).

Dates: Wednesday, March 4, to Monday, March 9, 2009

Transportation:

We are still looking into flight arrangements to Reno. Last year many
of us took the non-stop Southwest flight out of Midway, but Southwest
as yet to price that trip. American has a nonstop out of O'hare for
$332, plus all of their added costs for baggage, etc. Oil prices have
fallen dramatically off of their highs, so hopefully prices will come
down.

The package includes a shuttle from Reno to Heavenly. The only
caution is that the return trip should be late enough to allow for
the shuttle trip. Last year we cut it close. Except for Southwest,
Mary has access to the best fares. She may also have some specials.

Lift tickets:

The package includes a 4-day lift ticket at Heavenly for the price of
three days. We could go somewhere elsewhere on the 4th day and not
lose anything in the transaction. According to Mary, shuttles to
other mountains from South Lake Tahoe are very limited. Sierra-at-
Tahoe has several shuttles each day to/from South Lake, Kirkwood
and Squaw have 1 shuttle to/from daily. The price varies per
mountain. Mary does sell a trip to Squaw on the Aqua Ski Shuttle that
might be fun. A Squaw shuttle would pick us up from Lakeland Village
early in the morning. We'd ski at Squaw all day and then return to
South Lake Tahoe on the Tahoe Queen (a large paddle wheeler). We'd
get back about 8PM and are shuttled back to Lakeland Village. A box
breakfast is provided for the trip over and a party with live music
on the way back. The price is $110.59 per person.

Accommodations:

We are returning to Lakeland Village, which everyone enjoyed last
year. It's 1.5 miles from the South Tahoe Village but a block away
from a Safeway. It has 4 bedrooms plus loft and 3 full baths. Our
townhome last year had 8 beds, with all beds being at least doubles,
except for two twins in the loft. The pricing below is for 8 people.
If a couple wishes to come, we could accommodate 9. The price of the
townhome is 5 nights for the price of 4. Included is a cold breakfast
of breads, cereals, yogurt and fruit.

Everyone has warm and fuzzy feelings about our experience in last
year's townhome. We cooked many of our own meals and entertained
ourselves. The camaraderie was awesome; I'm sure I speak for everyone
in saying that lasting friendships formed. As for getting around, the
townhome has very reliable shuttles, which are available at
our beck and call. Heavenly also runs busses, but I don't recall ever
using one. We can book the condo with a
$100 per person deposit and we'd have up to 30 days prior to arrival
to change our minds, which would only cost $25 (total, not per-
person).

Cost:

This trip is a bargain. For 8 people, the townhome, 4-day lift tix,
transfers, and travel insurance costs $547.50. If we were to have a
9th person, the price would be $524. If there is extra interest, we
could get a second condo. With airfare of $350, this trip should cost
$900 per person, which includes all taxes and fees.

As for meals, we ate three full-course dinners and a couple of
breakfasts in the townhome for a total cost of
$35.00 per person, which is what we spent on the one dinner we ate
out. Lunches on the mountain usually cost between $15.00 and $20.00.

Contact info:

For the Lake Tahoe trip, we are again working with Mary Hajdas, at
Heavenly central reservations. Here's how to reach her.

Mary Hajdas
Travel Specialist
Heavenly Tahoe Vacations
775-586-4406
mhajdas@...

Trip ID is #15729

Mary has agreed to start assembling the condo deposits, which are
$100 per person, even before booking flights.

Please contact me if you have made reservations or if you are
interested in the trip: Drlou69@....