By Michelle Portesi
Path through Taylor Creek State Park
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Technically, it’s really not Fall yet, but here in the Lake Tahoe basin, what that definition has come to mean is the end of the busy summer season, most of the tourists have gone home and everyone’s kids are back in school. As we cruise into the ‘shoulder season’, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do and see. On the contrary. One look at our calendar of events reveals that there is still plenty of fun to be had in September rolling into October. yourfriendinhighplaces.wordpress.com/events-calendar
While the temperatures will most likely stay warm and sunny for a bit longer, there is no doubt there is an evening and early morning nip in the air. If you’ve never visited the area after the summer ends, you’ll discover happily that Fall is glorious here.
Now is the time to go on those hiking and bike trails that were so overly crowded during the summer. But beware. We’ve been known to get a few inches of snow the day after Labor Day and onward! While it usually doesn’t stick around for long, plan for layers of clothing as Mother Nature sorts herself out during the transition. Be sure to bring your camera along too. The leaves may turn in September or October (depending on the temperatures) and you wouldn’t want to miss the Fall show.
Our Calendar of Events have a well rounded list of things to do and see, but there are a few special events we would like to make sure you don’t miss:
Image from the Nevada Museum of Art
#1 – The Nevada Museum of Art’s new exhibit ‘TAHOE, A Visual History’. I just saw this exhibit Friday, and I can tell you, it is nothing short of fascinating. It amassed almost 2 centuries of art, spanning from when Fremont first viewed the lake to present day. You are sure to learn an even more in depth history of Lake Tahoe and the Donner Lake area that you never knew existed. Featuring art from Ansel Adams, Currier and Ives and Frank Lloyd Wright among many, many others. it’s a visual history of the area that has no doubt never been seen before in one place. As I walked through the exhibits, I was captured by the thought of what it must take to gather so many varied pieces of art from private collectors, other museums and state and national archives throughout the country. It is truly an impressive achievement. The exhibit runs through January 19, 2016. Visit www.nevadaart.org for more information. Don’t miss it!
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#2 – The Best of the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off. Sept. 3-7, Sparks NV. This is an extremely popular annual event, and if you’re a rib connoiseur and you’ve never been to it, you really must go! Dozens and dozens of rib purveyors, cooking ribs every way you can imagine. And of course, there are all the fixin’s to go with. The Nugget transforms Victorian Square in downtown Sparks into a must-attend culinary, music, craft, and family end-of-summer affair. nuggetribcookoff.com
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Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival. Photo from Go Tahoe North
# 3 – The Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival. Sept. 11-13 at Northstar Ski Resort. Considered one of Lake Tahoe’s premier gourmet events. Enjoy three full days of cooking seminars and demonstrations, culinary competitions, wine tastings, a Farm to Tahoe dinner, live music, a gourmet marketplace, and more! www.northstarcalifornia.com
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#4 – Octoberfest! Sept. 26th at Squaw Valley. It’s time to get your ‘oomp-pa-pa’ on with a traditional beer and bratwurst extravaganza, Bavarian folk dancers, live music and more. squawalpine.com/events
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Spawning Kokanee Salmon at Taylor Creek
#5 – Fall Fish Festival – October 3-4 at U.S. Forest Service Visitor’s Center at Taylor Creek, South Lake Tahoe. Plenty of family friendly fun and educational activities are presented by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, but the real show is watching the Kokanee Salmon run as they make their way from Lake Tahoe up Taylor Creek to spawn. Walk the gentle pathways of this beautifully peaceful area or take a ride along the bike trail. Another Octoberfest celebration will be going on at Camp Richardson’s Tallac Historic site right next door for food and refreshments. Just follow the trail between the two. And watch out for bears…
Taylor Creek Information: www.fs.usda.gov
Camp Richardson Information: www.camprichardson.com
Obviously, we’re all about the food here, so be sure to work some of those calories off with a hike, a bike ride or some paddle boarding in our glorious mountain community. Be sure to check in on the Events Calendar from time to time, as new Events and Announcements will be added as the information becomes available.
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