Author Archive
By Michelle Portesi
Our winter this year has been a freaky, pathetic, sorry excuse for one, to say the least. While we’ve been severely lacking in snow, we’ve also still had freezing cold temperatures, overcast days intermingled with freakishly warm, sunny ones. And then, snow again in fits and spurts. We’ll take it. We need the water, but…
Either way, by April, I’m fairly sick of winter no matter what the snow accumulation…or lack thereof. I start longing for fecund greenery, a riot of colorful gardens and consistently warm sunny days, which we won’t be seeing here in mountain country for a few more months to come. To feed the fantasy of warmer climes, I’ll find myself watching ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ – yet again- to get my warming Mediterranean climate fix. And then I’ll do the next best thing. I’ll plan a trip to Napa.
One of the greatest things about living at the Lake Tahoe basin is the proximity to just about every type of area: Ocean, Desert, Big City Urban and especially, Wine Country.
Fortunately, at just the apex of my ‘I’m sick of winter ‘ doldrums, Napa hosts a marvelous event every year at the end of April called ‘Kitchens in the Vineyards’. (April 25, 2015). A tour of usually 5 houses (most notably, their kitchens), often set on estates or vineyards themselves, it’s a chance to see some amazing architecture and interior design, stroll through some lovely gardens, dine on wonderful food – (Some of the area’s top chefs have edible tidbits at every home) …and of course, in between the tours, drink great wine.
Peju Winery. Photo by Michelle Portesi
The tour is self guided at your leisure. We’ll often start with a nice breakfast, see a house or two, stop for lunch, see a few more houses while maybe stopping at a winery in between – and then pick a wonderful outdoor evening dinner venue.
While we’re still suffering freezing temps here, Napa is bursting with Springtime fervor. Roses in heavy bloom, gardens in full swing and the many wineries in the area are gearing up for the new vintages to be bottled this season. And forget the movie ‘Sideways’. Swill that Merlot if you please, and Cabs and Chardonnays too!
The Roman Spa, Calistoga CA
But what is really wonderful about this event is the tour itself. Whether you’re considering a new house purchase, selling a house, staging a house, updating your decor or gearing up for a remodel, you’ll walk away with an amazing array of inspiring ideas for both inside and out!
To purchase tickets for the house tour: musicinthevineyards.org
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
lynnrichardson.net
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
By Tim Hauserman
Jenna Minnes the new owner of the Yoga Room in Tahoe City. Photo by Lisa Masser
Springtime is a good time to get back to yoga class. Many active Tahoe and Truckee folks attend yoga classes regularly, because it keeps them flexible and strong, while providing an awesome way to relax. But some of us who really could use the benefits of yoga tend to go through periods where skiing, biking, hiking or paddling is enough to keep us happy, and yoga falls by the wayside. This is probably not a good idea. In fact, the more we do all those other strenuous outdoor sports, the more we need yoga to counterbalance it’s effects. We need to get back to class and remind our bodies of it’s benefits.
Jenna Minnes the new owner of the Yoga Room in Tahoe City. Photo by Lisa Masser
Truckee Yoga:
Truckee is a hot bed of yoga. There are three great studios which provide a full spectrum of classes with top notch instructors. Special workshops and training programs are also available. Go to their websites then go to class.
Tahoe Yoga and Wellness Center.
tahoeyoga.com
Namaste Holistic Healing and Yoga Center
namastetruckee.com
Yoga Studio Tahoe
yogastudiotahoe.com
Tahoe City Yoga:
The Yoga Room in The Cobblestone in Tahoe City provides an eclectic mix of classes seven days a week. Long time Tahoe local yogi and massage therapist Jenna Minnes took over what was the Tahoe Yoga Institute a few months ago, and has been busy adding new classes and instructors. She has also been scheduling interesting workshops and events for the yoga community. It’s also the place to be during Tahoe City’s First Fridays.
yogaroomtahoe.com
.
Kings Beach Yoga:
Check out The Lake Tahoe Wellness Center in Kings Beach which has a full schedule of classes seven days a week including aerial yoga and meditation.
laketahoewellnesscenter.com
Jenna Minnes the new owner of the Yoga Room in Tahoe City. Photo by Lisa Masser
.
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 Tim Hauserman
View of the east shore of Lake Tahoe from Mt. Rose Hwy. Photo by Tim Hauserman
This mild winter is allowing Tahoe athletes to take on challenges that are usually not in the cards for March. My latest was to ride my bike from Incline Village to the top of the Mt. Rose Highway. It’s only eight miles to the top, but with 2700 feet of climbing and a destination elevation of just under 9000 feet, it will certainly get your heart pumping.
Pick your spot to begin in Incline and make your way over to the roundabout at the intersection of Highway 28 and Highway 431 and start heading up Highway 431 towards Reno. While the route is a steady uphill the entire way, the grade is mostly manageable and the shoulder is wide and smooth. While many people drive this road regularly, taking it at bike speed gives you a new appreciation of what it has to offer. About a mile up you start seeing Incline Peak standing high above. I’m not sure why it’s not called Pyramid Peak, because it certainly looks like a pyramid from this angle. More climbing brings you to the lookout point where you will find one of the best spots to see Lake Tahoe. And after over 3 miles of uphill, you will be ready for a break to check out those views. Check out Diamond Peak Ski Area below you. It was strange riding in bike shorts and looking down on the skiers still making their way down the few remaining ribbons of white.
Meadow area along Mt. Rose Hwy.
Photo by Tim Hauserman
Now the ride starts to get steeper, but the views of Rose Knob Peak and Relay Peak are sublime. You know you are getting closer when at 7 miles you reach Tahoe Meadows, still covered in snow but going fast. Just past the 8 mile mark is the summit and your turn around point at the Tahoe Rim Trail Mt. Rose Trailhead. The truly ambitious can keep going towards Reno but the heavily traveled road is narrow, often with little or no shoulder, and unless you left a car at the bottom you will have to come all the way back up. The ride back to Incline is a steady, long downhill with a nice shoulder.
Tip: Bring layers. The temperature difference from huffing and puffing up the hill, and roaring back down is pretty substantial.
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 