With ski season just around the corner, it’s never too early to book a hotel. Fortunately, the H-O-F operator has just returned from a scouting trip to Lake Tahoe, and I’ve found a great place to stay.

The River Ranch Lodge kisses a curve of the Truckee river. It’s an idyllic spot at a reasonable price. The lodge has 19 rooms and a unique bar and dining area that extends over the river.

In the summer, rafters nosh burgers and swig beer on the patio following a 5-mile float. In the winter, skiers enjoy the cozy fireplace after returning from nearby Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows.

The closest major airport is in Reno. If you’re spending the night there, the Peppermill casino has the best gut-stuffing buffet in town. The casino recently opened a Tuscan-themed wing that is a welcome contrast to the blinding neon in the older section.

For health-conscious people, Pho 777 Vietnamese Restaurant is another good dining spot in Reno. Hot tea is 20 cents and the spring rolls are as big as your wrist.

If you have a few extra days, beautiful Yosemite National Park is five hours away from either Reno or Lake Tahoe. Be warned, though. In winter, roads might be treacherous or closed.

Feel free to ask me any travel questions below, and don’t forget to submit your travel photos to our online gallery.

Vernal Falls at Yosemite National Park

Peppermill

Half Dome at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park

First, the bad news.

‘Shoe’ will go away at the end of this month due to changes in online syndication.

I’ve been tasked with choosing a replacement. Looks like Mizzou journalism school finally is paying off.

Because I’m a shutterbug, I’m leaning toward ‘W.T. Duck,’ which is about a duck who works as a photographer. As most of my photojournalism classmates will attest, it doesn’t get much funnier than a photographer trying to make a living.

But ‘The Argyle Sweater’ has an offbeat sense of humor that is similar to my own. It reminds me of ‘The Far Side,” and it’s an easy read because it’s in a single pane.

Decisions, decisions.

Help me out, people. Look at the samples below and leave your thoughts.

‘W.T. Duck’

‘The Argyle Sweater’

The new Cafe Ventana attempts to recreate that French Quarter ambiance with black furniture, gas lanterns and antique doors. It’s a darn good impersonation.

But it wouldn’t succeed as a New Orleans knock-off without beignets, and Cafe Ventana has great ones (3 for $3.75). Cut through the powdered sugar with some fresh-roasted coffee. How fresh? Look down after you enter to see the roaster in the basement.

The cafe also offers salads, sandwiches and tempting desserts (about $6.95). Prices are slightly higher than other spots in town but significantly cheaper than a trip to the Big Easy.

Couples might want to sit in the charming, private alley on the side, which has a cobblestone walkway and gurgling fountain.

Cafe Ventana
3919 West Pine Blvd.
314-531-7500

Hours
Sun. - Wed., 6:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Thu. - Sat., 6:30a.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Above: The alley at Cafe Ventana. Photo by Charles Williams/P-D

Friar Tuck opened recently at 9053 Watson Road, and it has an amazing variety of liquor.

Make a pilgrimage to the back wall to see one of the largest and coldest selection of beers in town. It’s OK to kneel down and thank God. The friar would approve.

I couldn’t find my Holy Grail of six packs, XXXX from Australia, but this time of year, you can’t go wrong with a good hefeweizen and a slice of lemon to beat the heat.

About half the 18,600-square-foot store store is dedicated to wine. Grab a bottle and some summer sausage before heading out for a late summer or early fall picnic.

Single Malt Scotch lovers will appreciate the small case of stogies, which are reasonably priced.

The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. During my last visit, an employee enlightened me about the smoothness of a bottle of 1792 bourbon, forcing me to purchase one to find out for myself. Yes, it is.

Two qualities separate Friar Tuck from typical grocery stores — selection and service. And the best news? They have gift cards.

Friar Tuck
9053 Watson Road.
314-918-9230

Open 7 days a week
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Above photo by Charles Williams/P-D

‘Step Brothers’ is exactly what you’d expect from a Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly comedy. It’s not as gut-busting as ‘Talladega Nights’ but funny enough for a summer flick. Expect plenty of crude jokes and immature antics. Calvin Wilson reviewed the film and gave it a “B.”

Here’s the bottom line, though. Watch the video that I’ve attached and multiply it by 120 minutes. If you think it’s funny, go see the film. If not, consider a couple of popular films that opened last weekend.

‘Mamma Mia’ has an interesting plot, beautiful scenery, and a great ABBA soundtrack. It’s a good date flick, but I just couldn’t get past the corny singing.

As secret agent 007, Pierce Brosnan showed little mercy to his adversaries. The same can be said of the way he sings ‘S.O.S.’ He ruthlessly butchers the song. We’re not laughing with you, Pierce. We’re laughing at you.

And then there’s ‘The Dark Knight,’ which will make more than any other movie this year. Heath Ledger’s acting is every bit as good as you’ve heard, although not as noteworthy as his performance in ‘Brokeback Mountain.’

For action and comic book fans, the movie gets the adrenaline flowing. I was underwhelmed considering the incredible hype and thought it was long, confusing and disturbing.

But almost every film critic is raving about the movie. There were lines at Ronnie’s on Tuesday night to get in to see Batman so I’m probably in the minority on this one.

AUSTIN - Texans take their barbecue seriously. How seriously? Here’s a quote from last month’s Texas Monthly magazine:

“Eighteen hungry reviewers. 14,773 miles driven/flown. 341 joints visited. Countless bites of brisket, sausage, chicken, pork, white bread, potato salad, and slaw—and vats of sauce—ingested. There are only fifty slots on our quinquennial list of the best places to eat barbecue in Texas. Only five of those got high honors.”

Fortunately for me, number five on the list, Louie Muller Barbecue, is located in Taylor, just a 30-minute drive from Austin.

The place is a barbecue joint in every sense of the word. Fading photos and business cards adorn the textured walls and light beams in from dirty glass panes, creating an ambiance that can’t be faked by chain restaurants.

While standing in line, you’ll be offered some brisket to chew on to pass the time. For me, it sealed the deal. I added a homemade sausage link, beans, potato salad, bread and a cold Shiner Bock beer to wash it all down.

Just for good measure, I hovered over my dining companion’s pork ribs hoping for a nibble. Ah, carnivore heaven.

Louie Muller Barbecue also ended up as one of my top five barbecue spots. If I had liked the watery sauce better, it might have taken the top spot.

But the quest for the world’s best barbecue continues. Like they say, it’s the journey not the destination.

All photos by Charles Williams/P-D

While I was in Austin recently, I visited the shooting location of one of my favorite TV shows, ‘Friday Night Lights.’

It’s easy to accidentally drive by the dilapidated playing field, located near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, but hard to miss the signs indicating Dillon Panther pride. The grass and weeds need a trim right now, but the stadium is sure to get a face lift when shooting resumes. New episodes air on DirecTV beginning Oct. 1.

There’s no security around so it’s no problem to get close and imagine Coach Taylor, Matt Saracen, Tim Riggins and “Smash” Williams mixing it up on the field.

My brother-in-law, who moonlights as a referee, also plays one on the show. He’s only appeared on screen for a second or two, but he has met Kyle Chandler and says he’s every bit as nice as he seems on the show.

All photos by Charles Williams/P-D

The 3-D movie ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ isn’t deep, but it hard to imagine having more fun in the theater this summer.

Sure, there are plot points that are hard to swallow. People fall hundreds of miles and survive? No way. A beautiful Icelandic woman who lives alone in a shack in the middle of nowhere? Right. A surly kid? Oh, wait.

The key is to put on your 3-D glasses, turn off your brain and enjoy the ride.

Once the adventurers descend, the action is non-stop. Be warned, though. Creepy things that might scare kids under 10 years old live down there — and you will come face-to-face with them.

The filmmakers wisely use the 3-D effects to create a breathtaking view of the world within our world. The imagery is creative and cool.

Brendan Fraser is a like-able kind of guy who plays a scientist. I don’t know if he is a genius, but he’s smart enough to star in what’s sure to be a big summer hit.

My 8-year-old sidekick might have been in a bad mood that day, but his opinion adds up to three strikes against Pixar’s new movie, “WALL-E.”

I’m less harsh about the film. The animation is incredible, especially when “WALL-E” makes it out to space. The robots share many humorous, touching moments. And it’s actually only 12 minutes longer than the other popular kids flick, “Kung Fu Panda.”

But “Panda” is more fun. It carries a simpler message — believe in yourself — while “WALL-E” tries to tackle multiple social issues such as pollution, love, corporate takeover, obesity and consumerism.

The messages can become muddled to kids, and that cute bucket of bolts can only blink his eyes and sigh so much.

It’s safe to say that I’m in the minority by liking, but not loving, this film. P-D Film critic Joe Williams says “WALL-E” is one of the best movies of the year. AP gives the movie three and a half out of four stars. Around the net, critics are raving.

It’s tough to find appropriate movies for kids, and this one is worth seeing. But the first 30 minutes are virtually silent so buy a bucket of popcorn to keep them busy.

“WALL-E” is being aggressively promoted, and I’m sure it will be commercially successful. But in the fight for the most entertaining summer movie for kids, the panda is still standing.

PHOTO: A scene from the animated feature, “Wall-E.” Photo by Disney/PIXAR.