Archive for the ‘Truckee’ Category
By Tim Hauserman
High Camp. Photo from Squaw Valley’s Facebook page.
Do you think that perhaps it might be time to drain the pool?
Hey we didn’t get a lot of snow last winter, and we’ve had a gloriously mild fall with an abundance of great hiking and mountain biking, so we don’t have to worry about getting our houses ready for winter, right? Ummm…wrong. In fact it was below freezing this morning as I write this and storms are definitely on the way. Here are a few things you need to do asap to protect your house and property:
Walk around the yard. What do you see? Are you Ok with everything you see being buried under the snow? Now’s the time to get those kayaks, canoes, and lawn furniture into storage or at least underneath a deck.
2) Landscaping system: Turn it off and drain the pipes. If the water remains in the pipes they might freeze and subsequently break. Do you have a hose still attached to the house? Disconnect and drain it.
3) Learn how to shut the water off to your house, and make sure if you are not there, instructions are provided for others. Some individual fixtures such as dishwashers, washers etc..have separate water shut off systems allowing you to shut it off to the fixture if there is a problem, and still have water in the rest of the house. If you have an older home without a shut off valve, have one installed by a plumber.
4) Cover the air vents leading to the crawl space below your house. This will help prevent pipes from freezing.
5) Open cabinet doors under sinks to get heat to piping. This is especially important with older homes.
6) Turn the heat on and keep the thermostat set above 50 degrees throughout the winter months. If you leave the house for an extended period of time, winterize the house by turning off the water and opening the faucets to drain all the water out of the pipes.
7) Prevent Bear Intrusions: Unfortunately, bears getting into homes in the area are now a year round concern. Close all window shades so bears cannot see your refrigerator. Remove any garbage from the house and garage and put it in the bear proof garbage container. If you are leaving for an extended time, remove smelly perishable food from the refrigerator. Be sure that all of the doors to your house are secure with strong hinges and deadbolt locks. Close the doors inside the house so that if the bear gets into part of the house, it will only focus on where the food is and not damage the rest of the house. Consider electric fencing designed for preventing bear intrusions, it has been proven to be very effective.
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
By Tim Hauserman
Morgan’s. West River Street in Old Downtown Truckee
Do you like fresh seafood, but are not necessarily enamored with what you can find at the supermarket? There is an alternative right here in Truckee: Morgan’s Lobster Shack and Fish Market. You can stop in to pick up the freshest tastiest fish around to cook at home, or you can just leave the cooking to Morgan’s.
A few weeks ago, I had a hankering for some good fish and headed over to Morgan’s and picked up a halibut steak at the Fish Market. At first blush, it seemed pretty dang expensive for less then a pound of fish, but a few hours later when I was savoring those delicious fresh flavors I decided it was worth the price. In addition to halibut, the market supplies swordfish, char, tuna, salmon or whatever else might be in season. The shell fish they sell includes all the usual suspects: shrimp, crap, clams and lobsters. If you have something in particular on your mind, call ahead to see what they have.
If fish sounds good, but you want someone else to do the cooking, you settle in for some mac and cheese with bacon and big hunks of lobster. Now that is comfort food, and just $12. The fish that arrived with the fish and chips was light and flavorful and the coleslaw was a hit. All for just $13. As you head up the price scale, you get lobster rolls, and shrimp plates, or you can go for the pick it yourself set up where you choose your brand of fish and how you want it cooked.
Eat In or Take Out
The ambiance is relaxed and basic, you can grab a meal to go, or take a seat at one of the few bar stools against the wall. Either way, the star is the fresh seafood. Enjoy.
Morgans Lobster Shack and Fish Market
10087 West River Street (Across from Diego’s)
530-582-5000
morganslobstershack.com
THINK OF ME, LYNN RICHARDSON, FOR ALL OF YOUR LAKE TAHOE AND TRUCKEE REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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!
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 