People who live in the Tahoe/Truckee area are thankful for the same things that people are thankful for everywhere: Spending time with family and friends, good health, a job and just being able to live in America.
Tahoe/Truckee folks are also thankful for being able to live here, not only for Tahoe’s natural beauty and nearly unlimited recreational opportunities, but because the people who live here, moved here because it is a place of beauty and fun. It is rare to find someone who came to Tahoe for a job. They moved here for the lifestyle, and then found a niche that allows them to make a living. I mean, where else but the Tahoe/Truckee region could a statement like this seem totally normal: “Oh man, I’ve skied six days in a row…I need to take tomorrow off and go to work.” Now of course between selling real estate and raising children I’ve never been able to make a statement like that myself, but isn’t it awesome to live in a place where people can actually say that?
I thank my lucky stars that I have spent most of my life at Tahoe, and that I am able to raise my children here. Hey, I am even thankful that my twin children just got their drivers licenses. So while we are raising a glass to family, love, friends and good health this Thanksgiving, don’t forget to mention this beautiful place we call Tahoe and Truckee.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
Winter at Lake Tahoe WILL require some shoveling…
After a surprisingly robust snowstorm last week it is warming up again. While skiers might think the snow arrived just so they could get a quick ski before the milder temperatures of fall returned, we all know that the real reason is to remind us to get off our butts and prepare for winter. Last year yourfriendinhighplaces presented 10 steps to take to withstand the ravages of winter. Here is a new and improved list for 2012-2103:
#10 Prepare your car. Get the snow tires on. Make sure the windshield wipers work and you have plenty of windshield fluid. Check the anti-freeze and those leaking windows.
#9 Get it out of the back yard. If you see anything you will need before spring bring it inside. While you are out there, be sure to disconnect all the hoses.
#8 Heat. Make sure you have it this winter by having your furnace checked, a new filter installed if needed, and your chimney swept. A readily accessible supply of firewood is a good idea as well.
#7 No drips on your dome. If you don’t want water dripping down on your head, make sure your roof is watertight and you have taken steps to prevent any potential ice dam problems. If you have any questions, check with a roofing contractor.
#6 Be safe. Make sure your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector are operational.
#5 Snow removal. Get a snow removal contract or test your snowblower to make sure it still works.
#4 Be ready for power outage: Have an emergency kit ready in case the power goes off and/or you are snowed in: Candles, flashlights, matches. Water bottles. Non-perishable food. And for sanity purposes: Books, games and a radio that will operate without power.
#3 Bears out. When you are away from home, shut the curtains, make sure the doors are locked and that you don’t have any perishable food available, or you may arrive home to see a very large unwanted hairy visitor has turned your home into a den.
#2 Be ready for fun. Before the snow arrives and you want to ski, snowshoe, or whatever else strikes your winter fancy, find your equipment, make sure it is in working order and replace the missing items.
#1 Water in the pipes. If the water in your pipes turns to ice, it might expand and break your pipes. When pipes break a lot of water goes into your house causing a major mess. Don’t let your pipes break by keeping the heat in your house on low, and draining your pipes when you are gone for more than a few days. If you do not have a stop and drain valve installed in your house, it is a fairly simple procedure for a plumber to install one.
So there you have it. Get out there and take care of these items so the only thing you have to worry about this winter is where you are going to ski.
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
Ah September/October…it just doesn’t get much better than this. You have the hiking, biking, boating and all that other fun stuff that you have in August…but without all the people. Sure by the end of the month swimming in Tahoe and Donner will begin to get a bit brisk, but the hiking is bug free and glorious. We may even see the aspen leaves start to turn reminding us that snow is on the way.
Fall is when folks begin the discussion that will keep people talking all throughout the fall: What kind of winter will it be? At least until the middle of November, we are all optimistic that we will be skiing by Thanksgiving, and that Christmas we will be wallowing in snow. This fall after our poor excuse for a winter last year there will be an extra added push with people saying, “Well after last winter, we are due for a big one!”
Ah, but let’s not be in such a hurry. That snow stuff is at least a month or more away. For now it is time to get out there and enjoy the still warm days. Remember all those wonderful places that you love that are too crowded in August. Go for an early morning kayak without boat waves. Hike along the shore of Lake Tahoe between Bliss and Emerald Bay passing only a few other hikers. Ride the Emigrant Trail all by yourself. It’s local Summertime! Enjoy!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 