The River Ranch Lodge and Restaurant, located on the corner of Highway 89 and Alpine Meadows Road between Truckee and Tahoe City, is one of the most delightfully situated lodges in the North Lake Tahoe area.

The current 19-rooom lodge, rebuilt in 1950 on the site of the original 1880's Deer Park Inn, sits on the east bank of a particularly pretty stretch of the Truckee River. Its spacious stone patio juts out a bit into the river, making it one of the most relaxing places to lunch or sip wine on a sunny Tahoe summer day.

River Ranch Lodge is offering two midweek specials during the dog days of summer certain to please laid-back rafters and last-minute types. Its Raft the Truckee, Stay at River Ranch special includes two nights' lodging in a room with a king-size bed, complimentary Continental breakfast for two, shuttle service, two adult rafting tickets with the Truckee River Raft Company, plus raft, paddles, and life vests.

The $290 package is available Sundays through Thursdays until the end of rafting season. The raft trip is a two- to four-hour leisurely float from Tahoe City to River Ranch.

Have a sudden urge to head for the hills? Then River Ranch's "Day Of" special is a deal you'll love. Call any time after 10:30 a.m. on the day you'd like to stay and pay $99 for whatever is the best room available when you call. This unique offer is good Mondays-Thursdays through Sept. 11 and includes a complimentary Continental breakfast. Remember to mention "day of" when making your reservation.

More information. Call 530-583-4264 to make reservations.