Archive for the ‘Lake Tahoe’ Category
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Recently I was speaking with a client of mine about the migration of the Monarch Butterfly. He asked if I had seen them this year since he was hoping to time their migration over the Sierras. Several times I have seen the Monarch Butterfly’s migration here at Tahoe/Truckee, a path that seems to run right along the Hwy 267 corridor and over the Sierras. Although catching them in the act is often a catch as catch can scenario, I have been fortunate enough to witness this phenomenon while I was traversing between Truckee and Lake Tahoe. Sometimes it’s a few here and there flitting amongst the plants at Northstar, and sometimes it feels like a blizzard of butterflies swirling around my car in a thick, ethereal dance of black and orange gossamer wings.
The Monarch Butterfly migrates back to its wintering grounds in Mexico, where it will spend winter’s frigid months. Recent reports claim that the Monarch is having a rough year of it, with their numbers not what they normally are. I haven’t been traversing Hwy 267 recently, so I couldn’t tell you if that claim seems true or not, and like I said, it’s a catch as catch can thing anyway. But for those of you out and about enjoying the fall colors, be sure to be on the look out for these beautiful creatures. Who doesn’t feel pleasantly serene when a butterfly crosses your path?
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Arrival at wintering grounds in Mexico
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For more images of the Monarch butterfly migration or to read more about the plight of the Monarch butterfly, and what you can do to help, go to these links:
http://www.pri.org/stories/2013-09-30/monarchs-were-missing-summer-and-we-and-weather-were-blame
National Geographic
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/monarch/gallery_mx.html
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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Living at Truckee/Tahoe, we’re usually not in short supply for places to find a lovely, sit down meal. For a quick bite, however, our choices are often more slim. A quick bite with lovely ambiance is even more rare.
Recently arrived, located in what used to be the old outlet mall, is Whole Treats Bakery. Not only does it sport an eclectic menu that’s not the same old, same old, but it’s Organic and most items are gluten free. (With ingredients so good for you, no doubt they are guilt free as well!)
Here’s a description from their menu:
French Toast Casserole: A Whole Treats signature.
We take our gluten free buns, chunk them up and soak them overnight with organic eggs, coconut milk, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, pure vanilla, cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg.
Baked fresh every morning, we top off our casserole with a mouth watering cinnamon crumble. Served with our house whipped basil mint butter and pure organic maple syrup. We are pretty sure your taste buds won’t be left disappointed.
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I don’t know about you, but that tasty sounding treat sure makes me hungry!
I also really enjoyed the decor. That isn’t the same old, same old either. How refreshing to have a fashion forward environment that is simple, tasteful and even a little elegant. It almost makes your morning coffee with muffin fix feel like a special event.
Whole Treats Bakery is open Monday-Saturday, 7am-5pm. Or call 530-582-1554 for more information.
And be sure to ‘like’ her facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/WholeTreats
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Owner Liz Weir chats with a friend.
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EVENT CANCELLED!
Unfortunately, it turns out that this venue is on Federal Park land, not State Park land. As you no doubt have heard, Congress has decided to shut down the entire country’s PUBLIC lands while they decide whether or not to get their collective acts together.
The fish however, did not get the memo. They will continue doing what they do, which is spawn. The rangers won’t be giving the planned educational tours, and the river viewing area and visitor center will be closed. On the other hand, if you are so inclined, there is nothing wrong with a little civil disobedience I say.
Just stroll right past those ‘Park Closed’ signs, enjoy the fall colors and watch the fish!
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Spawning Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek
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Fall is soon upon us, and that means it is time for the annual Kokanee Salmon spawning ritual.
We on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe and Truckee tend to forget that there is a whole other half to the lake, with plenty of fun things to do – other than gambling. (Although you can do that too after you’re done with the daytime/outdoor activities.)
The South Shore of the lake will once again play host to the annual ‘Fall Fish Festival’ – (formerly known as the Kokanee Salmon Festival.) The name change is no doubt due to the fact that, hey, there ARE other fish in the Lake…which the Forest Service Biologists will be happy to educate you about from 10am- 4pm on both Saturday, Oct. 5th and Sunday, Oct. 6th.
The Taylor Creek Visitor Center is on Hwy 89 south just past South Lake Tahoe heading towards Emerald Bay. The trails at The Center meander through lovely aspen and pine forest as it follows the stream, which is perfect for viewing the colorful salmon as they make their way to the spawning grounds. Depending on what week in the fall you hit the area at, there will be anywhere from dozens to hundreds of salmon the entire length of the stream. (It’s kind of like trying to catch the height of fall colors in the mountains. It’s never at quite the same time every year.) There is also an underground viewing area that cuts right into the stream bed. There you can see what’s really going on underwater and get a different perspective of the stream than you could get viewing it from above.
Do keep an eye out for bears. There’s plenty of fish, so there are often bears lurking about trying to fatten up on all that plentiful bounty before they go into hibernation for the winter. Be sure to go to the links below and read up on the proper ‘bear etiquette’ while you’re at Taylor Creek.
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Tallac Historic Site
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Continue along the trail until you get to the fence that separates the nature center from the Tallac Historic Site. Slip through the gate and wander the estate of a bygone era. While the building tours themselves may be closed for the season, the grounds themselves are pleasantly interesting and home to some of the most lovely ‘Old Tahoe’ architecture to be found at the lake. Walk along the beach, or check out the last vestiges of the gardens as they wind down for the growing season.
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Tallac Historic Site
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For more information on The Fish Festival and the Tallac Historic Site, go to these links:
Fall Fish Festival
Tallac Historic Site
tahoesouth.com
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