Lake Tahoe is truly one of Mother Nature’s grandest creations and whenever I get a chance to explore her I do.
I often tell people it is the prettiest lake I have seen anywhere in the world and I’ve seen a few in my travels to all fifty states and five continents.
I’ve visited the lake during all four seasons and still can’t decide whether I find it more beautiful framed in snow or bathed in warm sunshine. Even though I have been there many times before I always find something different to do.
This summer trip was primarily for an IVCHS Class of ’73 Reunion hosted by Reno resident Donna Miller Nielsen. We both welcomed the chance to show some of our classmates who had never visited the spectacular scenery in the region.
After the reunion weekend, classmate Marc Schoch and I stayed over and I got my chance to show him one of my favorite spots- Hidden Beach. It is tucked away out of sight of the main road on the northern edge of Lake Tahoe near Incline Village and offers a more intimate stretch of beach and boulders than overcrowded Sand Harbor (although not quite as intimate as the view at the unadvertised nude beach).
Marc and I explored Hidden Beach by foot and, as we dipped our toes in the stimulating 70 degree lake , we watched a group of kayakers effortlessly glide by on the glasslike surface. I told him I had always wanted to kayak on the lake and suggested we retire to the swanky floating bar called Pier 111 back at Incline Village to discuss the possibility.
While enjoying our drinks an older gentleman sat down beside us and asked where we were from to start a conversation. He then went on to explain the construction zone we could see from the dock was actually his “ old” residence being torn down that he had just sold for several million dollars.
Now remember, Incline Village, Nevada is consistently ranked in the top five cities in the United States for income per capita. It turned out he was just another of those discreet BILLIONAIRES who come here to enjoy the good life (i.e. Silicon Valley dot com magnates, junk bond kings, WalMart heirs, and, in his case, construction).
When he asked what we were up to we explained we were planning a kayak paddle to Hidden Beach and he generously offered us his personal kayak resting quietly on the beach nearby.
The next morning we thanked him again and paddled off to Hidden Beach for another view of the lake thinking to myself that no amount of money could bring me more joy than the gorgeous panoramic view of cystal clear water, snow capped mountains, and the clean air I was breathing in as we dipped our paddles.
The next day Donna, Marc, and I decided to enjoy another paddle but this time in a rubber raft float on the Truckee River which flows from Lake Tahoe, winds its way through downtown Reno, and eventually empties into Pyramid Lake.
Our objective was to leisurely allow the current to take us a few miles downriver from Tahoe City to the River Ranch Restaurant to enjoy lunch after a couple hours of floating and gentle whitewater rapids.
This popular float trip is easy and the river shallow making it viable for all ages and groups large or small. We thoroughly enjoyed the mountain cabins and pine forests which came into view around each bend of the river along with dodging the occasional squirt gun from “river pirates” who demanded nothing more than a smile.
Mid August also brings the Perseid Meteor Shower and I was invited to share a night hike into the Eldorado National Forest from the Kit Carson Pass Visitor Center. The hike along the Frog Lake/ Winnemucca Lake trail began at over 8,700 feet elevation and, as we climbed higher through the darkness to our viewing point overlooking Red Lake, the unusual rock formation known as
Elephant’s Back and the permanent glaciers of Round Top came into view.
Soon we were lying on our backs tilted towards the northern sky enjoying the amazing sight of shooting stars racing across the sky not unlike vapor trails from a jet airplane. With no man-made light anywhere, it was a great view of nature’s fireworks.
The following weekend found me back on a train but this time it was for the Inaugural Run of the V&T (Virginia and Truckee) Tourist Steam Train from Carson City to Virginia City. The V&T first rolled in 1870 when it transported the riches of the Comstock Lode silver and gold mines through some of the steepest and curviest rail lines in America.
Today I was fortunate to be part of living history as we chugged up the 2 ½ mile grade to Virginia City with wild mustangs galloping along side and spectators cheered us at each crossing. The Railfest celebration continued as we made our way past the town of Gold Hill and pulled to a stop at the station in Virginia City.
We had a couple of hours to spend in this Old West mining town and I wasted no time in heading to the Café Del Rio which featured “Out West” cuisine. I enjoyed the Pork Carnitas before heading down the street to see Mark Twain’s old newspaper office — the Territorial Enterprise; enjoying cowboy music and the Old West piano of Squeek Steele at the Buckets of Blood Saloon; and finally taking a quick ride with TNT Stagelines, the official stagecoach of Virginia City.
“You know 100 years from now someone will probably be here with a Cadillac giving rides calling it the “Old West”, laughed owner/driver Gary Teel.
He’s probably right and as we passed the tiny town of Gold Hill on the way back down the mountain to Carson City, fellow passenger Paul Hein from near Carson City pointed out the Gold Hill Hotel to me. The hotel claims to be Nevada’s oldest and, according to Paul’s first hand account, the home of a particularly gruesome ghost.
When he asked if I’d like to have a drink with him at the hotel after our train ride I gladly accepted and was soon seated around a patio table with owners Carol & Bill Fain, Paul, and another regular. After a few drinks of champagne and a tour of the hotel, I could readily imagine the grand tales that could be told about what had happened behind closed doors here over the years.
Check them out for yourself at www.goldhillhotel.net.
For me, it furnished yet another reason to return to Lake Tahoe and all the wonderful Tales of Tahoe that remained to be told.
For the IVC Class of 1973 reunion -- Tales of Tahoe Part 1, click here.
For more about Mark Bradley, click here.
Chillicothe, Ill. —
