ASCSA Lake Tahoe Winter Bash 2022 Summary
South Lake Tahoe, California
March 5-12, 2022
Participants of the our week-long ASCSA Lake Tahoe Winter Bash 2022 in South Lake Tahoe, California, came from New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, Missouri, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and California. We enjoyed downhill and cross country skiing in and around Heavenly Mountain Resort along with other outdoor winter activities in the area. In our beautiful townhouse on Lake Tahoe we dined well and socialized into the evenings in front of the fireplace. In all our activities, we enjoyed the camaraderie of new and old Christian Science single friends in a warm, loving Christian Science atmosphere.
In preparation for this event, co-hosts Rick and Merrilee hosted periodic Zoom gatherings for interested persons and those who had already signed up. Also, co-host Merrilee designed a comprehensive activities blog for quick, in-depth reference.
A huge snowstorm had passed through South Lake Tahoe a few months previous to our arrival. This left a good solid base of snow at the top of the gondola at Heavenly for the rest of the season, enabling good downhill skiing there. Our cross country skiers were able to enjoy that sport at nearby Kirkwood Mountain Resort and Northstar Mountain Resort. Non-skiers and those who wanted a break from skiing did many interesting activities in the area, as described below. Clear blue skies, snow-covered vistas, and brisk weather greeted us everyday.
Arrival day was an interesting challenge for the hosts considering most people arrived at the Reno International Airport and took the airport shuttle to a casino just over the Nevada line from South Lake Tahoe and needed to be picked up. Arrivals started in early afternoon and continued into the night. We directed all early arrivals to join us at the nearby historic Basecamp Hotel where a pleasant, inexpensive hot meal was available for purchase.
Every morning after quiet time, which was designated for prayerful study, a volunteer prepared breakfast for everyone. Other volunteers set up the coffee table in the living room as a pack lunch station where all made delicious sandwiches to take on each day’s adventure. Volunteer efforts of everyone were much appreciated by all!
We enjoyed lively conversations around our dinner table each evening with main courses including tacos, Chinese food, fresh rotisserie chicken, and a variety of pizzas. Merrilee’s green salad always seemed to be a hit. A CS single day-tripper who lived in California a couple of hours outside South Lake Tahoe, joined us for dinner one evening and for skiing for a couple of days.
We enjoyed cozy evenings around our fireplace in our lovely five bedroom townhouse in Lakeland Village Resort, with water views of the lake. One of these cozy evenings was a Sunday when we listened intently an iPad to the Mother Church online church service.
On Wednesday evening we were welcomed with open arms at the South Lake Tahoe Christian Science church. After church several members joined us for a short hymn sing in the main edifice, followed by a lively social time in their Sunday School while sharing pizza.
We thank our Christian Science Practitioner Kate Robertson, CS, for her ‘round the clock metaphysical support.
Charming Heavenly Village, where the gondola was located at the foot of Heavenly Mountain, was our “de facto” headquarters. The village was a ten minute free shuttle ride to/from our accommodations. Here we were able to rent skis, ride the gondola to the base of Heavenly Mountain for a day’s skiing, purchase a discounted “viewers ticket,” (as some did), or just enjoy the lively village atmosphere. Often skiers and non skiers of-the-day in our group would meet in Heavenly Village after the lifts closed - just in time to catch some live acoustical music and sit near a warm outdoor fire pit at one of the outdoor restaurants.
Often the day’s outdoor activities were punctuated, around dinnertime, by a brisk walk on the beach, or a visit to the steamy jacuzzi that was conveniently located just outside our front door. Lively conversation usually ensued among us whenever we were soaking in a jacuzzi or hot tub.
Unique day trips were a highlight of the week
Kirkwood Mountain Resort - One special day trip in which everyone participated in was a visit to the famous Kirkwood Mountain Resort, one of Lake Tahoe’s premier ski resorts. Many thanks to the car poolers in our group who got us there and back in record time! After an hour lesson, cross country skiers cruised around a huge snow-covered meadow opposite the Kirkwood Cross country and Snowshoe Center. Many of us ended up at the base of Kirkwood Mountain Resort just as the lifts closed – just in time to meet up with Rick Taylor, the only downhill skier of our group that day.
Northstar Mountain Resort - Several of us had a delightful day at Northstar Mountain, including our periodic day-tripper who met us there. After we ate our pack lunches on a sunny deck while watching the action at several ski lifts, two of our group went cross country skiing and one went downhill skiing. Merrilee, on the other hand, rode a gondola with a “viewers ticket” to the top of Northstar Mountain. There she spent a few hours in a light-filled lodge with stunning vistas while working on her computer and nursing a bottomless $7 cup of hot chocolate, courtesy of Vail Resorts.
Carson City, Nevada - On a day excursion to historic Carson City, we got a generous dose of interesting Nevada history at the State Nevada Museum. Here where we walked through a reconstructed mine and a ghost town. We walked/drove the historic area of the city visiting Brewery Art Center. After lunch at the Mexican restaurant Sassafras, we soaked in the historic Carson Hot Springs.
Camp Richardson Historic Resort and Marina - An afternoon trip in a pooled car to nearby Camp Richardson on Lake Tahoe was a delight. We walked along a snow-covered beach lined with private docs dripping with dramatic icicles, and enjoyed lunch at the waterfront Beacon Bar & Grill while sitting outside around a warm fire pit.
Another highlight of the week was a farewell dinner party at the charming Scusa Italian Ristorante. It was recommended to us by local church members Joe and Mary Ann Beckwith.
A special thank you to the members of the South Lake Tahoe Christian Science Church
This was the second time ASCSA had a winter bash at South Lake Tahoe. The previous time was in 2012 when our ASCSA group stayed at the same resort. When I visited South Lake Tahoe a couple of years ago in preparation for the ASCSA Lake Tahoe Winter Bash 2022, I met Joe and Mary Ann Beckwith at the South Lake Tahoe Christian Science church. They remembered ASCSA well from their visit to the South Lake Tahoe church in 2012. They were most eager to have us back again. Over the next two years we kept in touch. They graciously gave me advise when requested. Thank you Joe and Mary Ann and your fellow church members, for your friendship and sharing your church and local knowledge with ASCSA!
The ASCSA Lake Tahoe Winter Bash 2022, was a great success. A special time of adventure, sports, and fellowship was shared with single Christian Scientists from around the country - for two years before the event at periodic Zoom gatherings, and during the in-person week of the event in 2022.
A special thanks to co-host Rick Taylor who was a bulwark of support to me, contributing countless hours of his time over the past two years to ensure this event was a success.
Written by co-hostess Merrilee Zellne
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