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By Michelle Portesi
Strolling minstrels and Renaissance craftsman return to South Lake Tahoe’s Camp Richardson for this annual event. Step back into a bygone era and experience a bit of what life was like in the time of Shakespeare, ladies in waiting, chivalrous knights and let face it, industrious peasants .
The Valhalla Renaissance Faire starts this weekend, Saturday. May 30th and Sunday May 31 and continues next weekend on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 5, 6 and 7.
M’lady from ages past practices her falconry
Fancy a turkey drumstick and an ale while watching a jousting contest? Then this is the event for you! Admire the elaborate Elizabethan era costumes on the Faire’s cast of players as they stroll the grounds, play concerts or sell their wares. Visitors are encouraged to join in on the fashion statements and there is sure to be a frilly frock or jaunty hat for sale in the midst of all the revelry if you don’t happen to already own such vintage attire.
A family friendly event, there are various shows and parades all through the day. The most interesting venues however may be watching how food was prepared and goods were made – by hand – before automated factories came along.
Roasting meat over a spit
A spinner creates thread for cloth
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There will be plenty of good eats, merriment and good times while you stroll in the enchanted forest surroundings. Expect to see a wood nymph or two, and who knows, you might even see the Queen!
The festivities start at 10am. $18 for adults, $13 for Seniors, Military and Teenagers (Ages 13-17), $8 for children ages 6-12 and kids under 6 get in FREE!
For more information, visit their website at: www.valhallafaire.com
Ladys of the Kings Court go for a stroll
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
http://www.lynnrichardson.net
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By Tim Hauserman
After all the rain last week, spring is forecast to once again be sprung in the mountains, leading many folks to get a hankering to be out on their bike. With the morning temps still nippy and a bit of mud around, now is a perfect time to head to Verdi for a ride. Its only 20 miles east of Truckee, the grass is green, the horses and llamas are out enjoying the sunshine, and the temperature is usually 10-15 degrees warmer bringing it right into the Goldilocks zone.
Ranch outside of Verdi
Start your ride from Crystal Peak Park, just off Business 80, a short distance from Gold Ranch. The park sits next to the Truckee River and there is plenty of parking, picnic tables and restrooms. From here you have several options:
-Head east from Verdi, following the Truckee River to the edge of the Sommersett development. Here you can climb on nicely maintained bike lane through the extensive residential community enjoying views of Reno and the surrounding desert. Turn around wherever you wish and return to the bottom, where a bike path leads you east to 4th Street. Take 4th to Mayberry, then follow Mayberry for a mile, to a left turn into the Edgewater Park development. Cruise through the neighborhood to a bike path, and now follow the bike paths and roads along the Truckee past a series of riverside parks. Before you know it, you are in downtown Reno, at the Reno Whitewater Park.
Bike trail at Dorostkar Park along Mayberry road in Reno.
-Want to add some distance? Before heading east on Business 80 from your starting point, ride South Verdi Drive to Boomtown. Cross over I-80 and circle through the lovely neighborhood to the south, adding an extra half hour of riding.
-Ready to make a day of it? Just after you turn onto Mayberry take a sharp uphill turn onto Plateau, and then wind your way all the way across Reno to the Mt. Rose Highway and back for about a 45 mile trip. Check out the link below for the Reno Area bike map, and be sure to take a copy with you on your ride. The purple line is the ride I just described.
http://www.rtcwashoe.com/bicycling/documents/BIKE_MAP_13_online.pdf
Quick tip: Don’t forget to fill up your tank at Gold Ranch before returning to California. The gas prices are usually at least 60 cents a gallon less then Truckee.
Small side tributary of the Truckee River along the bike trail.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
www.lynnrichardson.net
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
By Michelle Portesi
Donner Lake Kitchen
Whether I’ve lived in a small town or a large city, I’ve always been enamored of the idea of just being able to walk someplace for breakfast. Fortunately for me, that desire is fulfilled, as a block down the street is the re-established Donner Lake Kitchen.
I’ve eaten at the original version of the restaurant, continued to dine at the new reincarnation when it became the Old Hwy 40 Kitchen and Grill, and back again to the Original Donner Lake Kitchen owned by Kelley and Bill Money. I won’t re-create the wheel here by writing about how all of this came about, as The Sierra Sun has already published an excellent article on the whole journey. To read more about it, go here:
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/news/13650422-113/kitchen-donner-lake-kelley
Grab a seat by a sunny window
What I will say, is that the food has always been excellent, the portions HUGE, and the prices reasonable…for a resort town anyway. While the fare at The Old Hwy. 40 version was tasty, their menu was fairly limited. I suspect as a result, the restaurant suffered from not being able to attract that much needed local population when the tourists had all gone home.
That’s not the case with the Donner Lake Kitchen. The menu is expansive, they serve breakfast all day, and as far as owner Kelley is concerned, should you want something special that isn’t on the menu, if they have the items on hand to make it – within reason, a little deviation from the norm is just fine by her. From what I’ve seen, the locals have welcomed them back with open arms, and they seem to attract a fairly steady stream of patrons.
Cinnamon Rolls! Ooey, Gooey, Chewy Goodness!
I’ve had both breakfast and lunch here, met with friends for a lively meal, or just relished a quiet breakfast alone at the counter, newspaper or magazine in one hand, coffee in the other. The atmosphere is Funky Tahoe Casual, the service friendly and the food, always fresh and good.
The Donner Lake Kitchen is located at 13710 Donner Pass Road – behind Sticks Market.
Hours: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
530-587-3119
Follow them on Facebook: Donner-Lake-Kitchen
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
www.lynnrichardson.net
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 