Archive for the ‘Fall Recreation’ Category
By Michelle Portesi
Aspen Leaves in Full Fall Splendor
Fall is here, and that means the crowds have left the area. It’s time to partake of what locals have known for years. Fall is still gorgeous here, albeit with a nip in the air. Many restaurants no longer have outrageously long wait times to be seated, bike trails are less crowded and deals can be had at seasonal shops trying to drop inventory before they close for the winter.
At the Tahoe City Y and surrounding areas, there is much to do in a short walking distance.
Truckee River Dam in Tahoe City
Start your tour at Fanny Bridge. How it got its name is really quite obvious from the get go. This is the mouth of the Truckee River, Lake Tahoe’s only outlet. If you look closely, you will see huge trout who hang out at the dam’s pond, and they’re much easier to see this time of year as water is let out only sparingly, especially in drought years.
Fannies along Fanny Bridge and Dam Overlook
After you’ve had your fill of peering into clear waters with BIG fish, wander off to the right to the Gatekeepers Cabin Museum. Here lies lovely walking trails that lead directly to the lake and a wonderful museum featuring beautiful woven pine needle baskets from the local Washoe Indians along with many other tribes throughout North America. The museum also touches on the history of the area as a frontier town and has a resource library that you can research many historical documents. Gatekeeper’s is also host to seasonal exhibits and seminars on local history. Their current exhibit ‘Ursus Among Us: The American Black Bear in the Tahoe Basin’ will be on display until the end of October. And if you’re looking for a place to hold your nuptials, the ground are also a popular wedding destination.
The Gatekeepers Museum is open all year round, however they are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday during the winter. And if you’re Howling to get your Halloween Haunt on, the Museum is hosting The Spooky Ghost Walk on Friday, Oct. 31st starting at 7:30 pm. Fun for the whole family, this is more educational than scary, as the museum walks you through the colorful characters from Tahoe’s past.
For more information on the Museum’s events, go here: NorthTahoeMuseums.org
Woven pine needle Indian Baskets
Ready for lunch? Walk across the street to The Bridgetender, a long time local favorite. If the weather is still nice, you can sit at their outdoor dining area along the Truckee River. Featuring reasonable prices for the area and big portions, it’s a pleasant dining experience amongst their lovely garden and cascading stream. If the weather isn’t so nice, the great indoors is cozy and casual.
Outdoor seating at the Bridgetender
After you’ve sated your hunger, you’re at a perfect jump off spot to take a walk or bike ride, as the bike trail is right there at the restaurants edge. Ride along the Truckee River to Squaw Valley, or take the West Shore route that follows the lake and goes all the way to Sugar Pine Point and beyond. I confess I love bike riding in the fall, the leaves are all changing, the temperature is cooler, and the trails are less crowded.
Bike Trail along the Truckee River in Tahoe City
Along the Lakeside bike trail, a short walk from the Bridgetender is the Tahoe Tree Company. This is a plant nursery to end all plant nurseries, and fall is the time they start their parking lot sales to reduce inventory for the season. I’ve gotten some great deals on shrubs and trees, which is perfect timing as fall is when you want to get those items in the ground so that they can establish their roots in their new home before winter. Fall planting means they’ll have a leg up for great growth next spring.
All in All, A Perfect Tahoe Fall Day!
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Winter is coming, and if you are in need of some winter gear, put these dates on your calendar to participate in these well known local ski swaps.
For those of you with kids who grow out of their winter equipment waaaaaayyyy too quickly, you already know that the swaps are a great way to pick up some used equipment for a fraction of the cost of new.
New equipment from local vendors are also available too, for those who want to try out some of the latest equipment. In addition, you will find clothing and other miscellaneous winter must haves. Local reps from ski shops and resorts will also be on hand to answer your questions.
Most of the local ski swaps benefit youth sports programs in the area, so not only can you pick up some great deals, but you’re helping the local community as well.
NORTH TAHOE SKI AND SPORTS SWAP in Tahoe City is this Saturday, October 25 at the North Tahoe High School. Hours are from 9am and 3pm. If you have items to sell, bring them on October 24 between the hours of 4 and 9pm. Volunteers get to pre-shop at 7am. Admission is $1
TRUCKEE SKI & SNOWBOARD SWAP – Saturday, November 8th. Hours are 11-4pm at the Truckee Community Center. 8924 Donner Pass Road. Admission is $2. For more information, visit their website: Truckee Donner Parks and Recreation
XC Ski Swap at Tahoe XC – November 14 from 3-9pm. In addition to winter ski equipment, there are snow shoes, kayaks and other outdoor gear to be purchased as well. Visit their website here: Tahoe XC
And if you’re looking for a ski area job, both Northstar and Diamond Peak are BOTH hosting job fairs this weekend from 9am-1pm. Click the links to the ski area websites – (in the left hand column) to get the latest job postings and their respective job fairs.
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Donner Lake from the Zephyr
If you’ve never had the opportunity to take the Amtrak train from the little depot in downtown Truckee to the Bay Area you certainly should. Not for speed mind you, because the train takes six hours to cover what you can drive in three and a half. Nor should you hop aboard if you absolutely, positively, have to be somewhere by a certain time, because the Zephyr is notoriously late, which is understandable since each train reaches Truckee after a three day trip from Chicago. But if you have time on your hands, it’s a relaxing and enjoyable way to experience the Sierra and California. And with the aspen trees about to turn, now’s a great time to catch some fall colors.
The ride begins with a winding roll through Coldstream Canyon, leading to a spectacular view of Donner Lake while traversing the Shallenberger Ridge. Eventually you reach a long tunnel that brings you to the top of Donner Summit, where you begin the long descent through the mountains and foothills to the valley and the coast. The scenery is breathtaking, and takes you to places you just can’t see on the Freeway. You pass raging rivers, shooting ranges in the marshes, and along the Bay between Martinez and Richmond.
Fall colors on Donner Summit
Taking the train provides an experience that in many ways is better then both a plane or a car. First, you are leaving the driving to someone else. But unlike a plane, you don’t sit sardined into a tiny space, or have to run to the bathroom in between turbulence outbreaks. Instead you have the option of sitting in very comfy chairs with tons of leg room, or making your way to the observation car, where you can sit on top of the world and gaze through the humongous windows or just enjoy the sunshine coming through the class ceiling. And the slower speeds make the train a perfect way to sit back and enjoy the view. Or take a nap. It’s really quite civilized.
The California Zephyr is scheduled to roll into Truckee at 11:30 am each day, and arrives in Emeryville at just after 6 pm. From there, you can catch a bus to San Francisco. Go to amtrak.com for information.
Tim Hauserman wrote the guidebook to the Tahoe Rim Trail. His latest endeavor, Gertrude’s Tahoe adventures in Time, a children’s book, was just published.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
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