Thursday, December 31, 2015

On the sixth day of Tahoe

On the sixth day of Tahoe, it was time to leave.  We had actually extended our trip by a day since we were having so much fun.  After packing up, and thanking and saying goodbye to Steve and Denise, we said goodbye to the lake, which looked different every time we saw it (no one time better than the time before). 




The drive on the 395 is gorgeous, and patriotic; it includes views of our national symbol, the bald eagle.  

"From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam..."

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

On the fifth day of Tahoe

For our last 2015 snowshoe in Tahoe we went to Echo Echo Echo Echo Lake.  (Say it again like it is meant to be said, with an echo effect.)  



There was more snow in the trees here than any of the other trails we had snowshoed.


It is important to read warning signs carefully when there are words like 'avalanche' and 'explosives' involved.










We ended the evening on a Pint and Paddles cruise, which departed out of Zephyr Cove Marina, listening to Ike and Martin, one of Steve and Denise's favorite bands.  


It was a cold wait, but if we got any closer to the paddle boat the captain honked warning us to back away until we were officially permitted to board.  We should have looked cold instead of cute.


It was a great performance, and the perfect way to end our Tahoe trip.  

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

On the fourth day of Tahoe

We took advantage of the trails surrounding Eagle Point Campground in Emerald Bay State Park with our snowshoes and can-do disposition.
Emerald Bay was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1969. Since the campground is closed in winter (and closed all this year due to missing pipes) it is especially perfect for snowshoeing. It is quiet and boasts views of the lake, as well as the only island in the lake. 




There is enough water in Lake Tahoe to supply every United States citizen with 50 gallons of water every day for 5 years.  
So if the drought keeps up you know where to get your share of water...





Denise is down!

And has started an avalanche!

We decided to evacuate to Genoa, NV.  Founded in 1851, it is the resting place for Snowshoe Thompson, the legendary skiing mailman of the Sierra Nevada.








The hanging tree is not related to how Snowshoe Thompson died, but Adam Uber, a traveler who killed a popular teamster in a barroom brawl.  Uber was taken from jail by an angry mob on Nov 25, 1897 and hung in the tree behind us.  

Genoa Bar and Saloon is Nevada's oldest continuously operating thirst parlor.  The building was built in 1853 and has had many famous visitors including Mark Twain, Willie Nelson, and Raquel Welch (who had the bar take down all of the bras hung by previous promiscuous patrons so that hers could hang alone).


It is tradition to leave your bra in the old safe, where the other bras were originally relocated.  You can only peek in the safe if you leave a "donation."
Denise was disappointed she couldn't find hers.


Bunny ears 2.0. 


We had a yummy dinner at a new establishment, the Pink House, located in a historic house built in 1855. 

Yes, all this was done on just day four.