[July 1998]:

While on vacation in North-America for three weeks I visited Lake Tahoe. My good friend Fastfred Rebhun had told me that the HRC Lake Tahoe was still closed but soon to open. He said I would at least be able to get a view of this newest HRC. As it turned out I was able to get much more - thanks a lot Fred, you were really right to send me here.

On June 29th 1999 my wife Karin and I arrived in Lake Tahoe, NV at about 4 pm. Before even looking for a motel-room we drove to Harvey's Hotel & Casino to check out the new HRC there. We had to walk all the way threw the casino and finally found it. My first impression: What a nice HRC. So much wood... kind of a rustic look. Fits perfect to Lake Tahoe area. Although the entrance was closed I saw some people inside of the HRC. Staff was practising as it looked to me. One guy from the staff saw us at the entrance came over and asked if we know HRCs... well, of course I told him that I had been to 28 HRCs in different parts of the world and that I was a HRC Pin Collector. He told me that staff was still practising but that they would open soon - maybe even the next day. I was excited of course. I told him I would definitely check on that the next day - and said GOOD BYE.

We were about to leave and I was just taking some pictures of the outside of the HRC when the guy came over to us. He said: How about having a free dinner for you as such a big HRC fan ? I had no idea what he meant but the next thing that happend was that we walked into the HRC with him and got a table just in front of the stage (they will have live-bands performing there).
The stage of HRC Lake Tahoe on the Pre-Opening-Day. Note the ladder lying on the stage and the paint on the left side as they were still working on some things.

Whow, I was so happy. It turned out that it was friends and family day - the day the staff of a new HRC is practicing on their friends and familys before they open for the public.

Well, we had a great dinner (not only because it was free) but the best thing came for dessert: The server told us that in the meantime decision was made: HRC Lake Tahoe would open at 11 am the next day. Whow, after visting 28 HRCs I would be able to be at an Opening of a HRC. I was sooooo happy.

Another big surprise happened. When I opened up my Traders Bags a lot of people came over. At one point a guy seemed to be really interested in my pins. He asked me: Are you on the internet ? When I said YES he asked 'What's your name' and when I told him my name he said 'YOU are Jens ? I'm Donny'. It turned out that this guy was Donny from New York. We had traded a couple of times over the Internet - but had never met in person before. What a big surprise. Well, after dessert (and some trading of course) Karin and I left the HRCs Friends and Family Day. But for sure I would be here again the next day... for the official OPENING.

The next day we were back at 10:30 am without even having breakfast to be one of the first customers. Actually we were the first in line when we arrived and a girl from the staff told us that there would be a delay due to some power-failure-problems. We said we didn't care about some delay and that we were just so excited to be here when a new HRC opens. Well, it turned out that we had to wait for about an hour. But while talking to the staff and taking some more pictures of the outside time flew by.

At 11:35 am on Tuesday, June 30th, HRC Lake Tahoe opened its doors for the public the first time. I was still first in line and a staff-member came over to me and said 'Glad a big HRC-fan like you is our first customer'.

Not only the complete staff welcomed me as their first customer. General Manager Matt Duguay welcomed me personally... and to my surprise had a gift for me. As the first customer of HRC Lake Tahoe I received a HRC denim-jacket as a gift. Thank you so much HRC.

Whow, I was so happy. Of course this first lunch at HRC Lake Tahoe was the best I ever had <g>. And between having lunch and trading some more pins with the staff I took some more pictures of HRC Lake Tahoe to give you an impression of it threw my Webpage. Enjoy.

I have to thank HRC Lake Tahoe for these two very very special days for me. I will always remember this. For me as the big HRC-Fan that I am after visiting 28 HRCs in Europe and America it was just great to be able to be a part of this opening.
Thanks to all Staff-Members. You are a great team - and you got this special HRC-mood that I love so much.