The Thunderbird Lodge and Yacht at Lake Tahoe remain steeped in legend, thanks to eccentric heir George Whittell. Known for lavish spending on waterfalls, wild animals, and secret tunnels, Whittell also bought the Thunderbird Yacht but rarely used it, later selling it to casino owner Bill Harrah, who turned it into a party boat. Tales of reckless gatherings, including one crash into a dock, and rumors of an opium den inside the lodge continue to fuel the estate’s mystique. The Thunderbird Preser