Archive for the ‘Summer Recreation’ Category
By Michelle Portesi
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Photo from LakeTahoeShakespeare.com website
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Well oops! There is so much going on here at Lake Tahoe to write about, that we’ve missed posting about the Annual Shakespeare at Sand Harbor Festival, which started July 11th. But no need to fret, fortunately you’ve still got plenty of time to catch a performance, as the festival runs through August 24th.
There’s nothing like an evening under the stars, a glass of wine and thou.
This year’s performances feature the romantic comedy ‘As You Like It’, with tickets ranging from $15 – $85.
In addition, the theater group has Monday Night’s off, and those of us long familiar with the Shakespeare plays are treated to something a little different. Here’s the calendar:
July 21 – Henry Ford and Thomas Edison
July 28 – Swan Lake
August 4 – The Funk of James Brown
August 11 – Sweeney Todd
August 18 – Booker T
Do be sure to bring a picnic. Last year, we sat next to some vacationers who marveled at our ‘spread’ of culinary delights. “We had no idea you could do this!” they exclaimed. Yes, we locals know that bringing good eats and beverages is as much a part of the annual event as the performances themselves. Don’t feel like going through the hassle? Many local stores make picnic baskets for the event. You can also reserve the Premium Seating and Cafe Table sections or avail yourselves of the food and wine booths and be treated to the Gourmet Offerings from ‘Shakespeare’s Kitchen’ right at the venue. (Do plan to come early to partake. Gates open at 5:30pm).
Also note, that lower gallery is assigned seating. The upper gallery requires you to bring your own low backed chairs and picnic blankets.
Go to laketahoeshakespeare.com for more information.
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Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
By Michelle Portesi
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Cascade Falls along the Bayview Trail, with Cascade Lake and Lake Tahoe seen in the distance. (Photo by Michelle Portesi)
I try to do all of the hikes that have waterfalls earlier in the summer season, especially when we’ve had sparse snowfall the previous winter. Cascade Creek that feeds the falls can slow to a trickle, and often by the height of summer, disappear entirely.
The Bayview Trail is one of my favorites. The parking area is located across the highway from Inspiration Point Vista on Emerald Bay, and it’s a wonderfully moderate day hike that will take you past Cascade Lake, up to Cascade Falls and beyond, with views of Lake Tahoe in the distance. There is also a campground there at the entrance, if you are so inclined, right off of Highway 89. (If you’re camping, bring plenty of food and gear. It’s a loooooong way to the nearest market and/or restaurant for eats and supplies.)
Early in the season, Cascade Creek can be so intense, that it is hard to get past all the water engorged tributaries that are gushing around you. Go a little later in the season, and you can kick off your shoes and hike up the middle of the boulder strewn creek for a ways, the granite smoothed to tenderfoot friendly appeal from eons of rushing snow melt. An abundance of flora lines the canyon, Sugar pines, cedars, spirea, wild lupine, alders, ferns and mountain ash. The latter will be filled with brilliant red berries if you do this hike closer to the fall.
Pack a lunch, find a nice wide boulder under a shady tree and relax while the music of water burbles all around you.
Two of our AAUW Gourmet Group Gals relax along Cascade Creek
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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Last years Lake of the Sky Garden Tour was in Incline Village, Nevada. We wandered through grounds that were everything from modest homes (a relative term for Lake Tahoe, I’ll grant you) to massive, lake front estates. The weather was perfect, the gardens were lovely, and all in all, it made for a very pleasant – and inspiring afternoon.
This year’s 2014 garden tour will take place at the ‘Magical West Shore’ of Lake Tahoe on July 26, 2014. A self guided tour, you can pick up tickets at most local plant nurseries. (Be sure to bring cash or checks. Lake of the Sky does not accept credit or debit cards as payment for this event.) And DO get your tickets early. The yearly Garden Tour always sells out quickly. You most probably will not be able to find a ticket for love or money on the day of the event.
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Wear comfy walking shoes, bring water, and a camera. Carpool if you can, as parking is often limited. We found that starting mid morning or later was best, and do plan to take a break for lunch at one of the eateries that dot the west shore of Lake Tahoe. (Sunnyside Resort, Firesign Cafe, Chambers Landing, The West Shore Cafe, along with a few pizza parlors and deli’s. I happen to like the sandwiches at the Tahoma PDQ market.) Most folks start the tour when it opens, and by taking a lunch break, you can miss most of the crowds, as they have wandered off elsewhere by the afternoon. Do hang on to your ticket when you’re done with the tour, as most of the local plant nurseries give special discounts on that day with proof of purchase of the tour.
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All proceeds are returned to the community for student scholarships, community education and local beautification and environmental projects.
For more information, contact:
lake-of-the-sky.org or write them at P.O. Box 1827, Tahoe City, CA 96145-1827
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Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 