Archive for the ‘Tahoe City’ Tag
By Tim Hauserman
Scenic view high above Lake Tahoe along the Fiberboard Freeway
The Fiberboard Freeway winds through US Forest Service land between Highway 267 at Brockway Summit and Tahoe City. The name comes from the former owner of the property, the Fiberboard logging company. Freeway is a tongue in cheek phrase to refer to what is certainly the major road through the forest, but is by no means an actual freeway. Really, it means that much of it has pavement.
The Fiberboard Freeway is the main artery for mountain bikers to access the elaborate network of trails that include the Tahoe Rim Trail, Watson Lake and The Western States trails. You can start at Brockway Summit, or head up to the Fiberboard from Tahoe Cross-Country Ski Area outside of Tahoe City. While the dirt trails that head off from the Fiberboard are prime mountain biking terrain, the road can also serve as a very worthwhile road biking destination. The first 10 miles from Brockway Summit towards Tahoe City are paved, and very lightly traveled. So why not ride out and back and enjoy a road ride through the middle of the forest? I can’t think of a reason.
While it is just a 20 mile round trip, if you are looking for exercise, you can find enough on this route. There is not a lot of flat. The first six miles is a mostly uphill jaunt to the top of Starratt Pass, where you will find an offshoot trail to Watson Lake. Along the climb you will find frequent glimpses of Tahoe, cross the Tahoe Rim Trail twice, and pass some impressive trees and fields of mule ears.
Then you begin a long and steady downhill, which eventually bottoms out before climbing again to a crossing of Stump Meadow, or what nordic skiers will know as the top of the Gold Trail. Just a bit further brings you to the end of the pavement and your turn around point.
Fiberboard Freeway
On the way back, Great Ski Race skiers will start to have flashbacks, as your ride back to the top of Starratt is the same route you would be skiing in the race. You decide whether skiing it or riding it is easier.
Words of caution: While the good news is that you are riding on pavement through the forest with almost no cars, rain and other cars have dragged gravel and dirt on the road in some spots. Take those downhills a little more cautiously then you would if you were on the smooth pavement.
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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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The Deck Heads . Truckee Regional Park
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Summer season at North Lake Tahoe and Truckee means music concerts – mostly free – throughout the basin. With musical styles running the gamut, you can sit back and enjoy as the band is ‘Singing the Blues’ or you can ‘Listen to a Country Song’, rock out to the ‘Rock of Ages’ and get down with your bad self when they ‘Play That Funky Music’. (Ten points if you can name all the artists who sang those…)
Most of these venues encourage you to bring a picnic along with your low backed chairs and blankets. Sip a glass of wine while you relax for an evening of open air entertainment. (decant beverages into plastic bottles if you can. Broken glass on the beach is a real buzz kill). Don’t feel like cooking or packing picnics? Some venues offer food and beverage vendors on site that can sate your hunger pangs and wet your whistle.
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In Truckee, The Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District hosts the Truckee Summer Music Series on Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm at the Truckee River Regional Park. For more information on their full schedule, the bands and the type of music they play, click their link above. Also note all the many local businesses that sponsor this event to bring this wonderful music to you. So shop local, these businesses will appreciate your support. Donations to help fund this event are also appreciated and donation boxes are available at the park.
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The Blues Monsters. Photo from the Concerts at Commons Beach website.
In Tahoe City, The Tahoe City Downtown Association and the Tahoe City Public Utility District hosts the Concerts at Commons Beach. Concerts are held on Sundays and start at 3 or 4 pm and go until 7pm. Once again, local businesses and community groups sponsor this event too. Click the link above for more information, and there is also a place for you to donate to ‘the cause’ on the website.
In Kings Beach, The North Tahoe Business Association hosts Music on the Beach every Friday from 6-8:30pm at the Kings Beach State Recreation Area. What makes this particular venue even more enjoyable is not only its vast sandy beach, but its sandy lake bottom and warmer water temperatures that make it perfect for a before concert afternoon swim. Kings Beach also has many restaurants and food purveyors in quick walking distance to the beach. Come early though, as there is road work being done in the area which can slow you down. Parking is available for a fee at the beach, but parking here can fill up early, so plan accordingly. As always, support your local sponsors of this event.
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If your tastes run more towards classical music and sumptuous orchestral arrangements, The Lake Tahoe Music Festival starts in July. Dubbed ‘Serenades at Sunset’, the locations, days and prices vary from venue to venue, so be sure to check out their website as to what is being played where and when and for how much. Links on the website allow you to buy tickets for these concerts in advance.
From the Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival website. Venue: The West Shore Cafe
And if you still haven’t gotten enough of your groove on, many of the local ski areas like Squaw Valley and Northstar also often have free music and events. Be sure to peruse their websites for upcoming events. The links to their websites or in the column to the left.
Sing. Sing. Sing!
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Share this: Lynn Richardson, Your Friend in High Places
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 