Creative Reflections

Loch Levan, Beach Days, Alex Arrives, Marlette Lake, Baldwin Beach and More

Tuesday, June 28-Mountain Biking and Baldwin Beach

Today the forecast called for scattered thunder showers. We didn't want to take a chance on hiking in case we got stuck out on a trail in the middle of lightening strikes. Instead Anthony, Austin and I wanted to share the bike ride experience we had earlier in the week with Alex and Mario so we headed back down to S. Lake Tahoe. The weather was blustery and there was definitely a storm moving in; the weather made the easy bike ride seem dramatic and filled with fun adventure. To add to the fun the boys decided they wanted to try riding a tandem bike. THAT was a cause for much laughter as all four of my head-strong men tried to figure out how to work in unison to keep the bike upright and moving forward.

The path takes you through the Tallic historic site. This is one of the pretty rock gardens found there:

I saved most of my photo-taking for the drama that was found at Baldwin Beach, in the shadow of Mt. Tallac.

At first I thought this was an osprey but when I downloaded the photos I took a closer look and think this is one of the many bald eagles that are known to nest in the region

THIS next photo is going to be my new, "I need a zen moment" photo! Whenever I'm feeling stressed, or anxious I'm going to take a deep breath, look at this photo and....REMEMBER!

Monday, June 27, 2011-Marlette Lake

Marlette Lake was created in the summer of 1872 when DL Bliss and HM Yerrington, co-owners of the Carson and Tahoe Lumber and Fluming Co, constructed a dirt-fill-and-stone dam across Marlette Creek. From the dam water was diverted into a flume and traveled via an extended flume system to provide water to Virginia City. Today, this beautiful lake is a premier trout lake and the flume trail is a world-class mountain bike trail.

We had hiked this trail once before. I remembered it being a difficult, long hike but worth the effort because of the beauty of the lake. We took a chance that the trail might be open all the way to the lake, packed a lunch and headed out. There was some scattered snow on the trail at the higher elevations. When we reached the saddle which held the path down to the lake we did have to negotiate quite a bit of snow but we were able to manage it because the lake was in sight and we had taken this hike before so there was not a worry that we would lose the trail under the snow. The climb down through the snow was challenging, filled with slips, steps through melting snow into gushing, muddy water and a couple of tumbles, head-first into the snow. It was a little bit crazy!

It was well worth the effort as once again the beauty of this lake does not disappoint!

We found a warm spot on the rocks, took off our wet shoes and socks so that they could dry, had ourselves a picnic lunch and then took short naps. We were the only ones at the lake. You could hear the birds calling and the wind blowing through the trees. The boulders radiated the warmth absorbed by the sun. Drifting off for a few minutes rest and then waking to the beauty before us was such a wonderfully relaxing way to spend the day!

Check out Tramp in the background. His new favorite game is to roll around in the snow like a crazy-dog. He was cracking us up.

Oh my goodness, what in the world has happened to my "babies?!!" There is NO denying they are growing up....and I'm looking like a shrimp!

Heading back for the long, long, long hike home! This is an 8.5 mile hike round trip. Even though the return trip is mostly downhill by the end of the trail we were ALL really ready for it to be done. I was feeling a bit discouraged about having to climb up over all this snow when Mario turned to me and said, "Look my principessa, who put all this snow here?" What a silly, sweet man; he knows how to use humor to keep me going!

This is a view from the trail on the return hike back to the car. At the turn of the last century this area was heavily clear-cut for lumber. That made room for all of the beautiful aspen groves that are now found in this area. I so want to figure out a way to come up here in the fall to see these hillsides turn shimmering, quaking gold.

Sunday, June 26, 2011-Alex Arrives, Beach Day

Mario got up early this morning and headed down to Reno. We are so excited that ALEX IS COMING! For the past several summers Alex has not been able to join us on our summer vacations because of summer work schedules. But this year he was able to get a week off. It does this mom's heart good to have her whole family together!

The weather was gorgeous and we decided to have a mellow day on the beach.

Saturday, June 25, 2011-Loch Levan Lakes Trail

The winter of 2010-2011 was a long one for the Sierra-Tahoe region. The first snow fall began on October 5th. Storms came in often, with an abundance of snow through the entire winter season. The very last snow-fall of the season occurred June 1st! All of this has meant that the snow pack is still thick in MANY areas and much of our normal hiking activity has been curbed because the hiking trails are not yet open.

Up until today this has been a working vacation for Mario. While the boys and I have enjoyed a week of playing in Tahoe Mario has been working out of a local Wells Fargo office each day. Today marks the official beginning of Mario's vacation. The boys and I were so excited to have him join us on our adventures!

When we decided on what hike to try today we turned to my well-worn hiking trail book and chose the Loch Levan Lakes trail because the description read in part, "The Loch Levan Lakes provide hikers itching for summer an early-season opportunity to reach a trio of picturesque lakes nestled into a granite basin."

The trail is located north-west of Truckee near the Tahoe-Donner Pass. My trail book went on to say, "A low-elevation trail by Tahoe Sierra standards the Loch Leven Lakes Trail is usually snow-free by mid-June."

This old wood sign is all that delineates the start of the trail.

The trail begins over a shrub and boulder covered hillside of exposed granite slabs and widely scattered conifers.

About 3/4 of a mile into the hike you reach this small pond:

Beyond the pond we crossed another stretch of shrubs and granite slabs before dropping through another forested section to a bridge that crosses an alder-lined creek and then.....

The claims of my hiking book were proved false and we were stopped cold by a still-thick snow pack. The boys tried to find their way to the top of the hill and reconnect with the trail but the snow was simply too thick and there was no way we would be able to follow the trail. So, we found a spot along the thundering creek and the roaring waterfalls created by the snow-melt and ate our lunch. Even though the the snow did not allow us to reach the lakes we still delighted in the beauty of this day.

When presented with the opportunity to kick-off your shoes and place your feet in freezing-cold snow melt my boys simply couldn't pass up the opportunity!

They played a game of will-seeing who could stay in the water the longest.

This has definitely been our Tahoe summer of "Falls!"

On the hike back we had a beautiful view of the Tahoe-Donner Pass. I can't imagine negotiating this area in wagons!

 

Catching up!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Oh my gosh, I'm sure having problems keeping up with the travel blog this time around! Our days are full but no more so than on previous trips. The time at home in the evenings however seems to fly by and finding an extra half hour or so to post on the blog is proving difficult. Anyway, I think I'll just do a compilation of the last few days in order to catch up.

On Thursday the boys, Tramp and I had planned on going to DL Bliss state park to hike the Rubicon Trail. This is a beautiful trail that we haven't hiked in years. It skirts the west side of Lake Tahoe and has some amazing views of the lake, if my memory serves me well. However, we had to change our plans when we reached the park and found out that dogs are not allowed. It is a curious thing; on the Nevada side of the lake we have no problem bringing Tramp wherever we want to go as long as he is on a leash but NONE of the California state parks allow dogs...just one more thing that is wrong with my fair state I say! Anyway, since we didn't feel comfortable leaving Tramp alone in the car for several hours we quickly changed plans and headed over to Cascade Falls.

We have hiked these falls SO many times! The hike itself holds fond memories as it was one of the very first hikes that my boys hiked when they were little. I have to admit to feeling a little bit disappointed and almost blaze about hiking this familiar trail once again. However, I didn't take into acount the VERY late start to summer and the record snowfalls that Tahoe experienced this winter. The falls were AWESOME! Normally when we hike this trail the falls "cascade" from small pools. They meander here and there and we are even able to jump over portions of the falls and walk from one side to the other. But not this year! The falls were a rushing, roaring current; really something beautiful to behold.

Our Trio of hikers:

This was one of the few spots where you could negotiate from one side of the falls to the other, it was pretty far up the mountain and Austin was only able to do so with the help of fallen logs. Normally this section of the falls would just be small rivelets of water meandering amongst the boulders.

The boys found an overlook at the main part of the falls.

Cascade Lake with Lake Tahoe beyond

Taking a breather on the way back.

Friday, June 24, 2011

I had to work on the July issue of the magazine in the morning so the boys hung out at the condo playing ping-pong and swimming in the pool. After lunch I thought it might be fun to take the boys for a bike ride. We drove down to S. Lake Tahoe to the Camp Richardson area, rented bikes and rode the 9 mile bike trail that runs along the lake. As we were riding I realized what a different experience people have of Tahoe depending on how they approach it and where they stay. For us, because of the blessing of staying in my sister's condo Tahoe has become something of a "second home." Riding through Camp Richardson we were in the midst of people camping in tents and RV's and staying in rented cabins. I think this would be a much different way to experience Tahoe; filled with its own kind of adventures and special family memories. I think it might be fun to "camp" Tahoe at some point just to experience Tahoe in this way. But for now, I'm happy just to bicycle through the camp and experience it vicariously.

The S. Lake Tahoe Bike trail is officially called the "USFS Bike Trail in the Woods." It runs through the S. Lake Tahoe wetlands, a thickly forested low-lying area of the lake. It also goes through Camp Richardson, Pope Beach, the Tallac Historical site (a collection of historic vacation homes from the turn of the last century), Kiva Beach and Baldwin Beach. The area is beautiful and it is so much fun to bicycle here! I ended up not taking a lot of photos because I was having too much fun racing along with my boys! Here are a few I did take:

We stopped at Pope Beach which features miles and miles of sandy beaches....and Canadian Geese "with attitude!"

Baldwin Beach was the last stop before we circled back to head to the starting point. It is another beautiful sandy beach with gorgeous views of Mt. Tallac. It also features this lagoon with lillypads. I've seen a lot of things in Tahoe but I have to admit this is the first time I have ever seen lillypads!

On the ride back we stopped at Camp Richardson and had some ice cream....it was a perfect way to end a very special day!

 

 

The Gift of Friendship

I don't remember when I first met my friend Susan but I do remember when the Lord started knitting our hearts together. My Anthony was a toddler and I decided it would be a good thing for him to take dance class (don't laugh, I STILL contend that the reason he is such a graceful athlete is because of his early dance lessons!) Susan's daughter was part of the same class. While these two little toddlers were in Miss Anne's dance studio learning to tap their feet to the music and memorizing the "complicated" choreography to "The Farmer in the Dell," and "The Pirates who Don't do Anything," Susan and I would wait outside the studio and took the opportunity to get to know one another.

Over the years we have taken Bible study classes together, served in ministry together and even, for a time, worked together in the administration of our church. We share a passion for the things of Christ and are both crazy about Charger football. I still giggle to myself when I remember the time that we were at a Woman's Retreat in January and we kept trying to sneak away to find out the score of a Charger's playoff game.

I was so tickled when Susan told me that her family would be vacationing in Tahoe this summer and that her trip would coincide with part of our trip. This was to be a special trip for Susan and her family and I didn't want to intrude but I was hoping that we would get a chance to meet up and experience a little bit of Tahoe together. We did just that this past week when we had a rendezvous and hiked Horsetail Falls.

I'm probably going to embarrass Susan by saying this but she is one of the most generous, self-less, encouraging friends I have ever known. It is a testament to her kindness that even during our hike, when I was still not feeling back to my old self and for the first time ever had to quit a hike before we reached our destination that Susan suggested we find a cool spot in the shade, beside the rushing creek and just spend time visiting with one another while the rest of our crew finished the hike and then came back for us. It is part of her beauty that when I suggested I would be okay and that she should continue on with the hike so as not to miss anything she said, "No, I'm right where I want to be; here with you." I don't know that I've ever done anything to deserve such a precious friendship; but I do know that I treasure it with all my heart! Thank you Susan for always being such a special blessing in my life!

I didn't take a lot of photos on this day. It is hard to capture the size and drama of these falls with a camera, especially because we always seem to come here in the mid-day when the lighting is at its most harsh, but I did manage to get a few shots that give at least some sense of what this place is all about.

Resting in His Embrace

Prior to our heading up to Tahoe this year I embarked on a plan to get physically fit so that I could tackle some of the longer and more challenging hikes that I have passed up in previous years. Mario got me a gift membership to 24-hour fitness and for more than a month I faithfully worked out every morning after dropping Austin off at school. I would walk the tread-mill for at least 2 miles and started a weight-lifting program for the first time ever. I was CERTAIN that all that extra work would prove beneficial and help me to keep up with the boys on our hikes. So, it was with a great deal of disappointment that I found myself coping with some bothersome health issues when we got to Tahoe. The first few days here I think I had a minor case of altitude sickness and now I'm almost certain that my chronic anemia flared up again....racing heart, ringing ears, almost unbearable exhaustion. It all kind of came to a head the other day when the boys and I hiked Sagehen Creek.

Sagehen Creek is a tributary formed by the winter run-off from the Tahoe-Donner pass. It is a beautiful creek that runs and tumbles over itself for about 2.5 miles until it reaches Stampede Reservoir. The hike is VERY easy; flat and filled with the promise of abundant wild-flowers. (Because of the amount of snow and the late-season snow the flowers were not yet blooming when we took the hike, but you could see all the mules ear, lupine, Indian paintbrush, the camas and corn lilies, buttercups, bluebells and columbine that were beginning to sprout and cover the hillsides.)

Despite the ease of the hike I was aware as we were hiking and I was stopping to take photos that I really wasn't feeling all that well. By the time we made it out to the reservoir I was thinking I might be in some real trouble. I didn't want to scare the boys and I knew we had a 2.5 mile walk back to the car. So, I did the only thing I knew to do...I prayed. I told the boys we would take it nice and slow and we would be okay. They weren't really worried until they realized I had stopped taking photos. I NEVER stop taking photos on our hikes!!

As we walked I was something like Dory in Finding Nemo only instead of whispering, "Just keep swimming" I was saying, "Just keep walking, just keep walking." I kept thinking about the words of one of my favorite devotionals, "Behold you are in the hollow of My hand. Yes in the moment that you lift your voice to me and call for help, I will gather you up, I shall wrap you in my garment of joy. My presence will be your great reward....you will be in my embrace and there you will find rest."

When we finally reached the car all three of us said, almost in unison, "Thank you God!" As we were driving back to the condo I have to admit I had a little wrestling match with my attitude. It was very tempting to think about how hard I had worked to "get fit" prior to our trip and very easy to start feeling sorry for myself that things were NOT going according to plan. But then I set that all aside and thought about the faithfulness of God, whose very real presence saw me through on this day. Perhaps the Lord is using this experience to remind me that I should not look to my physical abilities (or lack there of) to find my strength but instead I need only look to him.

For my friends who might be reading this with some concern, please don't be worried! After a couple of days of taking some extra iron supplements and vitamin B. I'm back to feeling much more like myself. So much so in fact that today we hiked Cascade Falls...but I'll leave the details of that adventure for another post!

Despite the physical struggles I experienced on this hike, it was still a beautiful hike! Even in the midst of personal challenge the boys, Tramp and I had a wonderful time....and I even managed to take some photos prior to that long trudge back to the car!!

Walking through the meadow to Stampede Reservoir

There was something about this place that really seemed to "click" for our sweet Tramp. For all of his two years of life he has thought himself a lap-dog, terrified of water. But here in this meadow and before this gorgeous lake some little switch seemed to get turned on in Tramp's head. Before we knew it he was bounding in the water, "sighting" the birds in the water and actually trying to retrieve sticks that Austin threw in the water. It was almost as if you could hear him thinking, "why, I do believe I might actually be a Labrador retriever!" Even though I was dizzy as could be, my dog STILL managed to make me laugh!!

My two faithful boys! Anthony actually said on the way back, "Don't worry mom, if you pass out I'll carry you to the car!" He then added, with a twinkle in his eye, "and drive you home!" (He so wants to get his drivers permit and is trying every which way to get me to back down from my "rule" that boys can't drive until they are 17.)

And so I leave you with the calm beauty of this pristine lake...resting in His embrace....until my next post....Blessings!

 

Worship Walks

Spooner Lake was born in the early 1920's as a water reservoir. It has evolved over time to became a pristine wild-life sanctuary on the north-east corner of Lake Tahoe. You can find it at the intersection of State Route 28 and US 50. For many the hike around Spooner Lake is an easy, first-time Sierra hike. For me it has become a beloved early-morning, "Worship Walk." Often when I am visiting Tahoe I will get up with the dawn and head on over to take a quick 2-mile hike around the lake. It is a great way to acclimate to the higher altitudes and to keep in shape for the more strenuous hikes we take through out the region. More than that though these early morning walks have become for me a sweet time of solitude where I can re-orient my heart toward the things of my Maker.

Earlier this week Anthony and I got up early one morning and headed over to Spooner; he to train with a four mile run and me to "warm up" with a brisk two mile walk around the lake. I started the walk with my ipod, listening to some of my favorite worship music. But then, half-way through the walk I thought, "Why am I listening to recorded music when I could hear God's very creation singing their worship to him." So, I turned off the ipod and turned on my "listening ears." I prayed and asked the Lord to show me the wonder of His creation and creations response to Him. I thought about the verses in the Bible that speak of creation praising God...Psalm 148, "Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies,' Psalm 19, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands," Isaiah 55:12, "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands," Psalm 66:4, "All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name," And so many others!

As I thought of these verses the wind rose, the aspen leaves quaked, the chickadees sang love songs to their mates, the Canadian geese honked at their babies. It seemed as if all of creation joined in a symphony of praise to their maker. I couldn't help but think of the extravagance of God's love; He who gave us eyes to see glorious colors and light and mist and the clouds veiling the face of the moon, He who gave us ears to hear the chirp of a cricket and the splash of a trout as it jumps to catch its breakfast, and He, who gave us NEW LIFE and transformed our hearts so that instead of rejecting Him and all of His ways as would be our nature we are now able to embrace all that He intends for us and accept with grateful hearts the pouring out of His mercy and grace.

Worship-fully I walk around this treasured little lake and add my praise to that of all creation.

This layout is a compilation of photos I've taken at Spooner over the years:

 

We Found It!

The boys and I have made several attempts over the years to find the trail head to Skunk Harbor all to no avail. My hiking book actually says, "Reaching the trailhead may be the most formidable challenge of this trip, as the trailhead is unsigned and parking is extremely limited." But this time, thanks to Mario's keen navigational skills and my past experience of knowing all the trailheads in this section that DON'T lead to Skunk Harbor we finally found it! We let Mario crow a little bit given that it IS Father's Day after all!!

Speaking of Father's Day I have to say that I am SO thankful to celebrate my wonderful husband on this day. His love, nurture and care for our three sons has been such a remarkable thing to watch and experience over the years. Never has there been a more devoted and loving father. Mario exemplifies committed, sacraficial love and my boys are growing into the great young men that they are in large measure because of the kind of father Mario has been to them.

I must say in the annals of perfect celebrations you couldn't get much better than today! The only thing that would have made it even better is if Alex had been able to join us. But even that was tempered with the knowledge that Alex was having his own form of "special day" as today was the day he purchased his own car.

Anthony, Austin and I got up early to make Mario breakfast. We then all got dressed, packed a picnic lunch and headed for the above mentioned Skunk Harbor. As we were driving to the harbor, we were simply dazzled by the beauty of Lake Tahoe! I mentioned to the boys that "she" was looking absolutely gorgeous this morning. The boys asked why I called the lake a "she" and not a "he." I explained that in my mind only a "woman" lake could be as moody, mercurial, mysterious and as marvelous as our Lake Tahoe. For instance, yesterday when we arrived the weather was cloudy, overcast and a little bit gloomy. The lake in turn was a hard, almost bitter steel gray. "She" was definately in a fit of pique and NOT very approachable. And yet here we were less than 24 hours later; the sun was out and our moody "girl" was now twinkling with joy and seemingly glowing with every shade of blue that God ever even thought to invent. So, what do you do with a lake like this? The answer I think can be found in the song sung by Richard Harris in Camelot:

"How to handle a woman?
There's a way," said the wise old man,
"A way known by ev'ry woman
Since the whole rigmarole began."
"Do I flatter her?" I begged him answer.
"Do I threaten or cajole or plead?
Do I brood or play the gay romancer?"
Said he, smiling: "No indeed.
How to handle a woman?
Mark me well, I will tell you, sir:
The way to handle a woman
Is to love her...simply love her...
Merely love her...love her...love her."

.....and boy do we love this beautiful lake. Even more, we LOVE the opportunity that God allows us to spend time together experiencing "her" magnificent beauty!

The hike down to Skunk Harbor is a quick 1.6 mile walk. I was eager to see this spot on the lake as I had read and heard so much about it.

I don't think this spot deserves its name AT ALL!! There is NOTHING of a skunk in all this beauty!

Austin contemplates just how far he wants to go into the water; which is even more fridged than usual given the fact that this is one of the first sunny days there has been this summer. In fact, the locals tell us that just two weeks ago it was still snowing!

The harbor was a mix of turquoise, aqua, azure, cobalt, cerulean and at least 10 other shades of blue for which I'm not even sure there are names. Mario made the comment that he didn't think he would ever grow tired of watching the play of color ripple with the waves.

THIS is why you see those bumper stickers all over Califoria; "Keep Tahoe Blue." Who could bear to lose such a treasure as this?

When the boys were younger they used to love to climb on the rocks closer to shore. Now, they find it much more daring (especially given the temperature of the water) to "climb" on the rocks that are actually submerged several feet under the water.

I haven't been able to find the name of this plant but it is blooming everywhere along the lake this year and it is just gorgeous!

Can you tell I'm in my "happy place?" Well, I am......

......and I do love "her" so!

 

Tahoe...AGAIN!!

My goodness things are dusty around here! I can't believe the last time I posted on this blog was at Christmas. I think I need to figure out a way to change the name of this blog as it really has turned into a "Tahoe Travelog" more than anything else!

So, here we are in Tahoe, again! The last several years we have come up to Tahoe with my sister and her family but this year we are here on our own.

We left for Tahoe on Friday after an unexpected delay due to some mechanical problems with Mario's car. Once that was solved we were on our way. We drove to Bishop and spent the night with the intention of taking a side trip to the Devil's Postpile on Saturday. However, due to the record-breaking snowfall this winter the road to the postpile is still buried in snow and will probably be closed until June 30th. So, once again, my desire to see this natural wonder was thwarted! Just another reminder to me that, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." – Proverbs 16:9

The sweet thing about traveling with my family is that they all have easy-going spirits and don't let set-backs get them down. We all just decided to make the best of things and find a different adventure to go on. Instead of the Devil's Postpile we decided on a different side-trip to Convict Lake and the June Lake Loop. Oh my goodness, I can't believe we have raced by these gorgeous places all these years! Taking the time to take these side trips reminded me that the journey can be just as special as the destination!

Convict Lake, Eastern Sierra Range

Tramp is such a ham-bone! Really dog, you think you could get any closer to the camera? What's that? This is supposed to be a rare photo featuring mom? Oh well!! (grin)

Soooo....I "almost" got in THIS shot! LOL ... at least you get a good look at my fun new haircut!

The dock at Convict Lake

Millie's recipe for happiness: mountains, lake and family

Just one of the several mule deer we saw around the lake.

After leaving Convict Lake we continued north on 395 but took the June Lake Loop detour. It is a beautiful 14 mile scenic loop that takes in four of Mammoth's lakes: June lake, Gull Lake, Silver Lake and Grant Lake. For those that are not keen on hiking miles and miles to see a gorgeouse Sierra lake this is a great road-trip to take. We didn't pull over to take photos as often as I would have liked but I did get a few nice shots:

Horsetail falls (why is it that every big waterfall in the Sierras seems to be called Horsetail?)

Silver Lake

I rented a wide-angle lens to take with me on this trip. I'm still trying to figure it out but this is one of the first photos where I could really tell the benefit of having this kind of lens in your camera bag!

 Grant Lake....a HUGE lake!!

Every once in a while one of these old wagons will just "pop-up" in the landscape. I love the way it serves to remind me of California's western heritage and the rugged people who first explored this land.