Archive for August 2013
Come see these two lovely homes at Serene Lakes this Labor Day weekend. My Coldwell Banker signs will be there to lead the way.
3071 Soda Springs Road will be open on Saturday from 2:30 to 5:30.
8474 Hillside will be open on Sunday from 11:00 to 2:00.
3071 Soda Springs Road – $629,000
Open Saturday from 2:30 to 5:30
Smart mountain/snow design & turn key – ready to move on in! Custom features throughout with granite counters in kitchen, cherry cabinets, unique stamped stainless steel backsplash, reclaimed douglas fir trim, distressed solid oak floor, beautiful tile work in baths & custom granite hearth. 3 bedrooms plus den/4th bedroom. Pull down ladder gives access to huge finished storage attic. Two decks for morning or afternoon sun. Land across street is open space (Land Trust/Royal Gorge) with access to prime hiking, biking & Nordic skiing. Sold fully furnished.
8474 Hillside Drive – $845,000
Open Sunday from 11:00 to 2:00
Dramatic mountain home full of light and views of the forest surround you. Custom designed with snow in mind – no exterior stairs, level access, partially covered deck, dumbwaiter/lift & enclosed hot tub. Great room is made for entertaining with large dining room, living area has soaring ceilings with rock hearth & woodstove. Spacious master suite on main floor with lovely views. Fun reading/sleeping nooks on main level & upstairs plus observatory loft. Huge garage with extra storage & ski tuning room. Three sources of heat – radiant on main floor, forced air in bedrooms and woodstove. Only one block from Royal Gorge and unlimited hiking, biking and Nordic ski trails.
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No matter how long I live in the area, I’m always amazed at the new things I stumble upon that I never knew existed. Recently I had the pleasure of discovering a wonderful place to have lunch among well kept gardens and tranquil streams and ponds.
I hidden gem on HWY 49 between Sierraville and Sierra City is Big Springs Gardens. The Sacramento Bee calls it ‘A little Monet in the Mountains”. We had a marvelous buffet lunch and then worked off some of the decadent desserts we couldn’t pass up wandering the trails and admiring their well kept grounds. Definitely a labor of love, the owners have taken great care to create a tranquil environment to go with their well thought out brunch offerings.
Reservations are necessary, as they have only one seating and are closed on Monday and Tuesday. Cash or check only, as they do not accept debit or credit cards. Well worth the restrictions, you can either just tour the gardens for $15 per person, or $35 for the weekday buffet brunch or $39 for the weekend BBQ – and get the gardens thrown in for good measure.
We had a marvelous meal and a most pleasant afternoon. To be sure, this is definitely on my list to return to again in the future.
Call 530-862-1333 for reservations – or visit their website at www.bigspringsgardens.com
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No, I’m not trying to tell you to get lost. The high Sierra are filled with many wonderful places to explore the beaten or unbeaten paths, back country, hidden lakes, gorgeous waterfalls, or just enjoy nature while getting some exercise and fresh air.
One of the favorite hikes is what locals call the ‘Shirley Lake’ hike. Located at Squaw Valley, you can either take the tram up to the top and hike down (you’re now committed to doing the entire hike. No taxi to pick you up if you decide you’ve had enough fun halfway down), or you can start at the bottom and hike up as far as you like, and turn around when you choose to. (Take the road that is right of the tram building. Follow the road straight until you see some boulders in front of the dirt trail head veering off to your right. Follow until you meet up with the main trial head which will veer to the left and start rising uphill).
The bottom half of the hike is relatively easy, and even most kids can manage it. It’s the prettiest part of the hike as it follows Squaw Creek and there are waterfalls aplenty for most of the way…depending on what month you do the hike. Some years bless us with ample winter snowpack and the creek is flowing well into the fall. On years that mother nature gets stingy with the white stuff, the creek can stop flowing by August. Hike early in the summer and the water rushes and gushes. Later in the summer and you can hike up the middle of the falls while water gently flows around you.
Wild shooting star columbine and thimbleberry
Wildflowers greet you throughout the hike. Look for columbine, penstemon, squaw carpet and thimbleberry, among many others along the trail.
Partway up the hike you enter the area we call ‘the enchanted forest’. Here the trees are thick and the area heavily shaded and mysterious. It has the look straight out of an illustration for any given book of fairy tales. One half expects to greet little red riding hood along the trail or a few pixies peeking out from behind the flora.
The top of the hike is much more strenuous. Most of it is above the treeline, so it can feel pretty toasty up there on a hot summer day as you scramble across granite sheets of rock. Wear plenty of sunscreen. You’re at altitude and can burn easily here…and don’t forget plenty of water.
You eventually will come to Shirley Lake, which is at the bottom of one of Squaw Valley’s famous ski runs. After taking some time here to relax and catch your breath, hike the rest of the way up to Squaw’s high camp for some refreshments, swim in their pool, and/or to take the tram back down. Make sure to bring money or a credit card. You’ll need to pay to use the pool or take the tram to get back to the bottom again. Otherwise you’re hoofing it all the way back down again.
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YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 