Tahoelodging

As I sit here and watch it snow, it seems like a good time to talk about winter driving.  Thousands of people come to Tahoe every winter and drive like idiots.  For some reason, the thought that there is snow, or worse ice, on the road and that it would be a good idea to adjust their driving, never crosses their mind.  As a result, we have numerous accidents, some fatal, that never need to happen if people would just think.

Some tips. 

Don’t tailgate.  Leave enough room between you and the car in front of you. Stopping on snow or ice takes longer.  If you slam on the brakes, there is a very good chance your brakes will lock, your tires will slide and you will probably spin out and hit some innocent bystander.  When you’re driving at night in a snow storm, it is really hard to see if you are the lead car.  It’s even more difficult with someone’s headlights shining in the rear view mirror.   So if you are behind a car, give them some room. 

Give yourself time to stop.  This really goes with the above.  Tap the break gently several times to avoid spinning or your brakes locking.  Start stopping early.

Drive the appropriate speed for the conditions.  Snow packed roads are better with speed than ice covered roads.  Snow pack can take 35 – 40 miles an hour (if it’s daylight and you can see) but ice, ice is really deadly.  You can spin out in a heart beat.  So slow it down.  Be careful around curves.  20 – 25 miles an hour should be ok.  Don’t think,  ‘oh well, I have 4 wheel drive, I can do anything.’  No, you can’t do anything.  Ice doesn’t care about 4 wheel or all wheel drive.  You’re going to land in the ditch, or worse, the same as any other car.

At the same time, don’t drive too slow.  That’s dangerous too.  Driving 15 miles an hour is a great way to back up traffic and cause hazardous conditions.  If you’re nervous about  driving in the snow or ice, don’t.  Stay home or go with someone else.

Don’t try to beat the berm.  When the main highway through Tahoe gets plowed, the plows put the snow in the middle of the road, or the left hand turn lane.  And then it gets removed later.  I can not tell you how many times we watch drivers trying to beat the berm by driving over it and get high centered.  There they sit, spinning their wheels trying to get off it.   And then they have to be rescued from their stupid decision.  Traffic backs up, drivers get angry, accidents happen.  The plows make an opening somewhere along the middle berm so that people can turn left safely. You may have to scope it out a bit, you may have to back track a bit, but it will be shorter in the long run.

Look at your tires.  Good tires make a HUGE difference when driving during hazardous conditions.

Bottom line:   Pay attention.  Be sensible and courteous when driving in the snow.  It’s not really going to cost you anything and it could save your life.

Living in Lake Tahoe means living with the wildlife.  That means every once in awhile, one will have a close encounter which can be fun, exciting and maybe a little scary.

I was walking my dog along an access road next to the bike trail a few weeks ago.  This access road is bordered by woods on both sides but on one side there is a meadow just past the trees.  I had just turned around  to make my way back to the highway. I heard a crunching sound, like sticks breaking. I stopped, looked, saw nothing and kept walking.    I heard it again, stopped again and looked. I saw some critter, light brown, playing and pouncing in the meadow.  ‘Oops, that’s a bear!’.  I decided it would be a good idea to get my dog out of the way so I grabbed her collar and moved her along the road.  After going about 300 feet, I turned around.  The light brown critter I saw was actually a cub.  It’s mother was a few feet in front of it.  We looked at each other, she nodded and kept on going.  Whew. . .

Bear sightings are all to0 common and unfortunately, so are break-ins.  And then there’s something in between.  My neighbor was telling me about coming down the stairs from the house to the garage.  When he reached the bottom of the stairs a BIG bear walked past him carrying his daughter’s bag of frozen Easter eggs.  The bear had opened the freezer and decided he’d have chocolate for lunch.  ‘Sure’  my neighbor said,’ take anything you want.’  He closed the garage door.

Black Bear

One of the most fun sightings was the critter in the office’s back yard.  I was walking out the back door when I spotted him eating grass by the tree. It was the largest squirrel I had ever seen.  We looked at each other for awhile.  Then he stood up and whistled.  ‘That’s no squirrel’.  So we looked him up.  He was actually a yellow bellied marmot, or marmota flaviventris.   They usually live at 6500 feet elevation, lake level is 6258.  He must have been passing through on his way to greener hills as he was gone the next day.

Marmot

For a new view of Lake Tahoe, nothing is better than getting on the water.  It will change your perspective, of the lake, your life, and anything else that is running through your head. 

 The easiest way to get on the lake is to kayak.  Either bring your own or rent one.  Kayak rentals are available all around the lake from many different companies in many different locations.  With the sea kayak, paddling is almost effortless and any one can do it.  

On Saturday, September 6, 2008, the Fall paddlefest 2008 will be held at El Dorado Beach from 8:30 am – 2 pm, hosted by the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Committee.  There will be safety and paddle demonstrations, lunch, new boat demos and beach activities.  And of course, kayaking.

 The entry fee is $25 for adults and $15 for those under 18 includes lunch.  Advance registration is required by September 1. For more information, call 530.543.3001 or visit www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

Kayaking allows you to see areas of Tahoe where most of the public don’t or can’t get to.  It’s better to stay closer to shore, the farther out into the main body of the lake, the more choppy and cold the water gets.

 You can rent the equipment and rent a guide, or rent the equipment, take a class, go on your own, or bring your own and put in where you like. Make sure you have a life jacket. 

Want something a bit more speedy?  Rent a boat, either sail or speed.  These are also available for rent from the many marinas around the lake, south, west, and north shore. 

Or rent a jet ski. It’s great way to get cool, and experience the lake in a very close, not to mention wet, personal way. It’s also a lot of fun and easy to learn.  The biggest issue with jet skis is safety.  One can get caught up in fun of it and not pay attention to other water craft in the area.  So rent one and be smart and safe.

Want a great view, be on the water and get a slight thrill?  Go parasailing! The Ski Run Boat Company and the Tahoe Keys Boat Rentals both offer parasailing.

As with any of the water crafts, one must be responsible. That means being aware of where you are in relationship to other water craft, wearing a life vest, and being sober.  So pay attention, be responsible and enjoy the many types of water activities

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-kRx1c0Pt0

Fire flowers

Wow.  It’s unbelievable.  We’ve all heard that forest fires help to promote the growth of new plants. Every nature program that comes down the pike regarding fire talks about the benefits of fire and the regrowth, but still.  It’s amazing to see. 

Last year the Angora fire blew through the neighborhoods under Angora Ridge and burnt  254 homes and 3500 acres which contained shelter for numerous forest creatures.  It was a shock to see when it was over. Emotionally devastating walking through a forest of ash and burnt sticks.  We all mourned the loss of our beautiful back yard.  For weeks after, planes dropped a sticky grey-green ground cover over the area, designed to keep the ash and dirt from running down the mountain when the fall rains and winter snows fell.  The constant drone from 7 am to 7 pm was a daily reminder that our forest was damaged.

 But now, eight months later, it is a very different picture. No one was prepared for the amazing amount of wildflowers that grew out of the ash, especially along the stream.  even in mid-summer, it is a mass of color, lush and vibrant.  The best and most clear sign that there is life after death.

 Of course the standard flowers have shown up, Lupine, Jewelflowers, Indian Paint Brush, Wandering Asters, Clarkia, Pussypaws, Phlox, Mountain Spirea, Penstemon, Mules Ears.  Those are pretty on their own. The yarrow has tripled its presence and goes for miles. Also making an appearance is Mountain Monardella, Marsh or Bog Mallow, Camas Lily, Bitter Dogbane, Larkspur, Cinquefoil, Monkeyflower, Geraniums, Cow Parsnips and Corn Lilies as far as the eye can see, False Solomon’s Seal, Nude Buckwheat and my own personal favorites, Pretty Face and the Mariposa Lily. And there is of course, fire flower. This is by no means a complete list, this is just what I remember.

So take a hike through the burn area.  Wander along Angora Creek and let the sight lift your spirits.