Tahoelodging

Spring has finally arrived in South Lake Tahoe.  You can tell because the daffodils and tulips are up and starting to bloom, not necessarily because of the lack of snow.  In fact, we’ve had an abundance of snow this year, the snow pack was measured on April 30 to be at 144% of normal.  A storm arrives at the beginning of every week like clockwork. And then it’s gone the next day, with the weather warming up by the weekend.  Spring is always a roller coaster, weather wise.

The amount of snow is good for the Sierras and the lake.  The rivers are rising and the wildflowers will be beautiful and plentiful.  Any dent in the drought will help keep the trees healthy.  Despite the snow,  spring is here. Yahoo. .

Glaciers are alive and well in Tahoe.  A smaller version of alpine glaciers, they can be found next to most driveways.  The glaciers advance and retreat like the Perito Moreno in Patagonia or the Aletsch in Switzerland. 

Ok, these aren’t actual glaciers.  And these are just seasonal, not permanent, but the formation is similar.  The snow is thrown on top of other snow due to removal from the driveway,  it compacts and forms snow ice .  With each storm, more and more snow is added to the top and furthers the compaction.  But they’re fun to watch.  It’s like looking at an outdoor climate chamber.

Those who live in town have lost their glaciers, those of us who live at a higher elevation than lake level still get to experience the ebb and flow.   Due to last nights storm, the glaciers are currently flowing.  It will continue like this for a while, until the sun gets higher in the sky, the earth gets warmer, and spring takes over.

Vanilla.  Take a big breath when you step into the woods and that’s what you’ll smell. That great, vanilla piney smell that only happens when the temperature reaches a certain level and the sun hits the pine trees, aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh. . .It’s an aphrodisiac. It’s also a signal to de-tox, de-stress, de-tach, and relax. You’re in Tahoe, what could possibly be better? While there is a plethora of activities available, sailing, waterskiing, zip-lining, golfing, shopping, outdoor concerts, etc., etc, your choices will become clearer after a day on the beach, starring at the lake.  That in itself is an activity, although you could call it meditating if you feel the need to define it.

There is no better place to be in the summer than in Tahoe. The skies are clear blue, with a few puffy white clouds, there’s usually a soft breeze.  The lake reflects the sky so the blue becomes three dimensional. The temperature is perfect, usually about 80 degrees, and the air feels soft.  It’s  heaven on earth.

      The battle has begun.  The battle between winter going out and spring coming in.  Tahoe has its own version of spring showers, instead of rain though, we get snow.  Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little.  Sometimes it snows all day, kinda like now, but nothing sticks.  Despite the snow, spring inserts its will.  Every little inch that the snow cover gives up, little signs of life take over.  The tulips and daffodils blades are emerging, the days are longer, and the birds are happy, happy, happy.  It’s slightly above freezing, it may or may not be snowing, and the birds are singing a symphony. Talk about spring fever. They know spring will win this battle and they can’t wait. 

Frankly, neither can we.  It’s April and it’s time for spring to show up and winter to go on vacation.  In addition to tulips, daffodils and singing birds, several other things happen.  Yards get cleaned up from the winter debris, boats lose their blue shrink-wrapped covers, the waters thaw, the ducks and geese come out (they are so cute), willows start to pop color.  Tahoe starts to show signs of life.  Signs of life are important every year but probably more so this year.  With all the natural disasters, the recession, job loss, home loss, wars, we need reminders that spring brings new beginnings. It couldn’t come at a better time.  Signs of life for us all.

Tulips in Snow used with permission from Jean Sherrard.  For more great images and a really interesting blog, please visit www.pauldorpat.com.

One of the best things about Tahoe is the changing seasons.  And people come here for the seasons. The most popular are winter and summer, but people are really missing out when they skip the other two. Especially fall. 

Fall is most glorious in Tahoe.  And it is one of the locals favorite seasons.  The reason?  The lack of crowds. . . No offence. We like visitors, but sometimes we need to miss you.  Like any relationship, it grows stronger with an occasional separation. 

But fall . . . the days are warm, the nights are cool, the hiking and biking trails, restaurants, casinos, shows, whatever, are less crowded.  But the best are the colors.  The colors range from red, to orange, to gold, and sometimes purple.  Pack a lunch, you can pick one up from The Cork n More, the Beach Hut Deli, Raleys, Safeway, a number of places. Cruise on over to Taylor Creek or Fallen Leaf Lake and take a short hike.  Or if you want to see more, drive out over Luther Pass (also known as Highway 89) to Hope Valley.  If you take a right at the stop sign and head towards Kirkwood, you will pass through Faith and Charity Valleys and a virtually flourescent aspen forest.

So come on up. Visit fall and her color cousins.