Thunderbird Lodge Tour

Last week's vacay in Lake Tahoe led us to an amazing tour or the late George Whittell's estate, Thunderbird Lodge. To be honest, I wasn't overly excited to go on this tour but much to my surprise it ended up being one of my favorite things we did all week.

Thunderbird Lodge is known as "Lake Tahoe's Historic Castle in the Sky," and can I just tell you that it's a designer's dream. The attention to design and architectural details are stunning.

The lodge was originally built in the 30's and the craftsmen brought in to work on the project came from all over the world. This makes for a very interesting blend of influences. Is anyone else smitten with the green screen hanging out next to that amazing iron door?!

I would be very happy to transfer this entire room right into my guest room. 

To say George Whittell was an extravagant man would be an understatement. In addition to the main lodge, his property includes a Card House, a Caretaker's Cottage, the Cook/Butler's house, an elephant barn,  the Admiral's house, the Boathouse with adjoining 600' tunnel and Gatehouse. Oh yeah, and he had a pet lion!

Beautiful views await at every turn and window. 

A peek into the Cook's quarters. I think appliances should return to this look, white with black trim. It's gotta be better than our stainless trend that shows millions of fingerprints, right?! Check out the top of the island...marble, of course. Seen any of that in current design? ha!

I don't think there was a single door in the entire place that I didn't stop to appreciate. 

My little hunter couldn't resist snapping a picture of the exotic pets hanging out around the place. Various cats (of the large kind), zebras, and did I mention he had a pet lion?! Crazy!

A bit of Scandinavian influence through the woodwork. This was the card house that not only had a fireplace at each end, but also had a secret door in the shower that led to this spiral staircase.

Rumor has it that George would escape through his secret tunnel when the game wasn't quite going his way. Along the path of the tunnel were an opium room and a dungeon. Wild!

Told you I stopped to appreciate every single door!

And last, but not least, another shot of the beautiful scenery that houses this incredible castle. It's no wonder this lodge is currently a popular venue for weddings.

If you're fortunate enough to visit Tahoe, I'd say a stop by Thunderbird Lodge is definitely worth the trip!

We're going to do some major celebrating this weekend, friends. My dad's test results came back clear...NO cancer in his lymph nodes. We've been praising God and I'm so very thankful for my mom and her diligence in getting him to his routine checkups. The tumor had already made it through the entire lining of his colon so it was only a matter of time before it spread. But since they're so on top of yearly physicals, the cancer was caught and now my dad's been spared of continued treatment. So thankful for your thoughts and prayers, friends!