Archive for the ‘Truckee’ Category
We like to think that Tahoe/Truckee has something for everyone in the summer. Your two year old can play in the sand on one of our glorious lakeside beaches. The more culturally inclined can spend an evening watching a concert or a Shakespeare performance along the lakeshore. The adrenaline junkie can hop on a road bike and climb to the top of Donner Summit, join in a mountain biking race, kayak around the lake, or take a hike into the wilderness. But perhaps the quintessential Tahoe activity that will make everybody happy on a warm summer day is to take a rafting trip down the Truckee River.
You begin just below the dam in Tahoe City, and travel downstream four miles to The River Ranch. While there are a few stretches of minor rapids to keep you on your toes, in comparison to real white water, it’s a piece of cake. So what’s the attraction? While it’s often close to the busy highway and bike trail, being on the river feels like another world. It’s a ribbon of water pulsing through a zone of green, and it’s an incredibly relaxing way to spend a few hours.
On a mid-summer weekend, it’s also a lively place. Water shooting devices are highly recommended to help those poor overheated folks in the next raft over get a chance to cool down. It’s also doesn’t require any forethought. You just drive right up to one of the two rafting companies, and in fairly short order you will find yourself in a boat. Once you disembark at River Ranch, you can dine alfresco with several hundred of your new friends on the patio and then catch the rafting company shuttle back to town. You can also buy your own float or tube, and arrange your own shuttle. Obviously this is a more cumbersome procedure, but if you plan on taking the trip a number of times per summer it might be worth it. Do remember to find a floating object that is built strong enough to actually make it down the river still full of air. It is not fun to have to walk several miles along the river carrying the remains of your $12 raft that couldn’t quite make it all the way downstream.
Note, From July 1st to July 7th , alcohol is not allowed in rafts or on the shore of the Truckee River.
Where to go: Contact Truckee River Rafting by Mountain Air Sports, at 530-583-1111 or http://www.truckeeriverrafting.com
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The 4th of July is soon upon us, which officially kicks off the summer season here at Lake Tahoe.
There is a lot to do and see in these brief, but glorious months, so best be marking your calendars to fit these cultural and/or summer fun events into your schedules.
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Photo from Shakespeare Festival Website.
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Back again, as always, is the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival at Sand Harbor. A night out under the stars watching the finest from the bard of Avon is a local staple. Last year they expanded their repertoire to include the ballet Giselle, which was a wonderful addition to the theatrical menu. We sat next to out of town guests who had never been to our local favorite venue, and marveled at our picnic ‘spread’ of gastronomic delights. If you’ve never done any events at Sand Harbor before, pack a gourmet picnic, (although you can buy food and drink there as well) a low back chair, warm clothing, and yes, even some rain gear…just in case. A bottle of vino or two is permitted, but the events prefer you put it in something unbreakable. Broken glass, bare feet and sand is a really bad combination.
And don’t forget to pack a FLASHLIGHT! It’s hard navigating your way back to your car in the dark…just sayin’…
This year’s production is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The season starts on July 12th and runs through August. On Mondays are other theatrical productions including ‘Broadway on the Beach’, The Reno Chamber Orchestra and the ballet ‘Coppelia’, along with much more.
http://www.laketahoeshakespeare.com/
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If you’re a boat aficionado, the 41st annual Concours d’ Elegance is August 9 & 10 at Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay. Featuring vintage wooden boats from a bygone era, this event is a veritable museum of maritime vessels.
http://www.laketahoeconcours.com/
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Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park
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The Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival is back with several concerts around the north shore, including Sugar Pine Point State Park, Tahoe Tree Company, The West Shore Café and a private residence. For more information, go to their website:
http://tahoemusic.org/
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In nearby Reno, don’t forget ‘Artown’ (July- celebrating the local art scene) and ‘Hot August Nights’ (vintage cars, poodle skirts and that old time rock and roll…), along with top name entertainment from the likes of the Steve Miller Band, Steely Dan and Rascal Flatts to name but a few.
http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/reno-tahoe/what-to-do/events/concerts
ARTOWN
http://www.renoisartown.com/
HOT AUGUST NIGHTS
http://hotaugustnights.smugmug.com/
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
In December 2012, after an extensive fund raising effort, the Truckee Donner Land Trust and several other organizations purchased the 3000 acres of Donner Summit lands where the Royal Gorge Cross-Country Ski Area are located. Sugar Bowl, which sits adjacent to Royal Gorge, assumed management of the ski area last winter, and Royal Gorge operated successfully. Although a longer winter would have been nice.
While those 3000 acres are known for their prime cross-country skiing terrain, underneath all that snow are sparkling alpine lakes, craggy ridgelines and views into deep canyons. Now the next step for the Truckee Donner Land Trust is to gather input as to what should be done with that spectacular terrain during the summer. Towards that end the TDLT will be holding a series of public meetings, focus groups, property tours and even one on one meetings throughout the summer. The goal? To get as much input as possible to make sure what they do with the property is in the best interest of the community. This information gathering effort will be led by Truckee Donner Land Trust Project Manager John Svahn.
The Land Trust based their fund raising efforts to purchase the property on these primary goals for the property:
Keeping the ski area open
Making the property a summer recreational destination
Helping the Donner Summit area create a sustainable economy
And where needed, restore and enhance the properties natural resources.
To find out more or to get involved, go to http://www.royalgorgeoutreach.org
Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
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