The Daily News
1 Amazing day, yesterday was!
2 I was in the midst of sending out the DN when Helene texted me from her Mom's. I was stretching out, relaxing and this came down the pike:
"Did u hear from
Linda? Meet her at
the Beacon today!
Be careful if you do."
3 Okay. If you are a Tahoe person, you know the Beacon.
4 The Beacon is a famous bar/restaurant that sits right on the tip of the Lake, next to Camp Richardson. It is famous for its Rum Runners, a mysterious rum drink that is worshiped by the Tahoe gods.
5 And you can enjoy your meal outside, most any time of day. You go to the Beacon, you own the bragging rights.
Live music, all styles.
Two feet away from the live music.
6 It also symbolizes summer, to us summer Tahoe sorts.
7 What was fun about Linda's text is that I finally realized I am officially living near Tahoe. Sacramento is near Tahoe. That text never woulda worked in San Jose.
8 I don't think. I might have gone anyway, but that is just a nifty fifty-fifty.
9 But Sac to Tahoe? Could I go from San Jose to Monterey and back home on the same day?
10 Pssssssssht!
11 I was packed and gone within twenty minutes, and I never looked back.
12 I had already made it up to Auburn, took historic Highway 49 through Cool, and then through the Marshall Gold Discovery site in Coloma, and on to Placerville the very day before.
13 So yesterday was breezy. It has been all Tahoe, this entire week. On Saturday, my cousin Marcia and her husband Jeff had a huge party, the topic being this: Our Tahoe digs got pulled from under us. The owners sold the place we have visited for years, and we need to discuss it. Allow me to throw some overly brief background up there for you:
14 We used to take over an entire resort for two straight weeks, and had enormous parties complete with cocktail hours that became almost two to three hours (it takes longer for briquettes to light up at higher elevations). Different dinner dishes got prepared in nearly every cabin, so it became a food-fest extraordinaire. Music played everywhere you walked. On different nights, Bocce Ball tournaments or Ping Pong games livened the evenings. TV's had Giants and A's games facing out, the pool and hot tub area stayed in use even when the stars came out, and after dinner, tons of candy and desserts would find their way to the tables, as games would be set up in rooms, or guitars might come out for sing-alongs. Each night was different. Some were blow-out fun, others were calmer. In short: a classic 'Murican vacay.
15 And that was every night! Most days were spent with Pope Beach as the meeting place. From there, people kayaked, played badminton, built sand castles, hiked, biked, and enjoyed all that Tahoe has to offer.
15 And that was every night! Most days were spent with Pope Beach as the meeting place. From there, people kayaked, played badminton, built sand castles, hiked, biked, and enjoyed all that Tahoe has to offer.
16 And it was a GREAT time for the kids, who would invent all sorts of fun games, and who would figure out how to have a bunch of fun. Kids are experts at fun! Auntie Amy invented Ice Cream for Breakfast, so that's just an idea of the sorts of things kids could do. If you know kids, you know what they can do!
17 And suddenly, this major shift happened. Nowhere for us to stay. This past Saturday night, my cousin Marcia and her husband Jeff threw an enormous party, where issues were discussed.
18 One thing was certain: the old place was on its way out. I had heard that one loud and clear. We had a ton of fun partying and having yet another sensational time, but near the end, we had some decisions to consider.
19 There was some talk of going to a different area, but in the end, the reality was this: it looked a whole bunch like we all had to find places in the same area, at least for this year.
20 That seemed the final sentiment upon departure Saturday evening. It seemed obvious that the new owners weren't too concerned about notifying the people who had made reservations at the end of summer.
21 I move fast when it comes to things like that. My sister Linda talked to the old manager, but he seemed oblivious as to what the new people's intentions were. One thing was clear as a bell: the new ownership didn't seem the least bit interested in the families who had been coming up for years. In a way, I don't blame them. It's their place. They invested the money. They could choose the customers. That's business.
22 I already knew what was up, and my daughter Caitlin had already researched rentals in the area. We all talked of options, but it kept coming back to staying in the same area, at least for this year. A series of "Thank you's" to Marcia and Jeff for the party led to us posting websites of places that had rentals. Almost immediately everyone began booking places.
23 So yesterday I was dressed, pressed, and out the door as soon as I heard from Linda. Hey, any excuse to hit Tahoe in March, right? Good weather. Great day. And it turned out great.
24 The ride to Tahoe rocked. Everything came alive: the sun shone brightly, the hills had fresh powder, and the water splashed furiously. Even areas that never had waterfalls in the summertime had them in droves. I boomed some rock with the windows open, and flew up to the Lake. Our rendezvous point: 7-11. Linda's husband Randy suggested it. I laughed. When I later asked him "Why 7-11?" He replied, "If we park at the Alpina Coffee Shop our cars will be towed!"
25 Ha! SO true!
26 I don't often go to Tahoe in the winter. I never was a skier, and I always feared my car sliding off the hill and into a canyon. Yesterday may have changed all that. The day was glorious! If you have ever gone to Tahoe via Highway 50, you know that once you hit Echo Summit, you get met with an incredible reveal of the Lake. You go around a series of turns, and it is suddenly off in the distance, a stunning sight on even a normal day.
27 With all of the snow, shadows, and vistas, it almost took me off the road. I swooned, and a part of me got caught up.
28 But I have an old saying: There is no crying in Tahoe. Still, LOTS of memories. It is okay to get a bit sentimental, that's for certain.
29 When I reached 7-11...well, I don't have to tell you how emotional those places are, I parked back a bit in an area where you could barely see the lines.
30 Some guy in a huge truck flew in, gave me a dirty look, parked in front of the store, and shot me another dirty look.
31 Evidently I was parked too close for him to back straight out. He was getting a DVD from a Red Box.
32 He got his DVD, hopped in his truck, and squealed out, almost hitting me, then leaving a thin mist of idiocy in the air that the rest of us had to breathe. Tahoe does have those sorts. Morons. I wrote a poem about morons once. It was called "Morons." That guy was a flame-throwing moron. And yet, he was a poem.
33 I texted Linda, and within seconds they were there.
34 She and Randy had spent the morning scouting around, so we toured all the rentals the family had posted. Amazingly nice cabins, and almost all within a walking radius.
35 Great times. We got over to the Beacon, and looked out on the wonderfully familiar view. Tahoe. The pier. Majestic Mt Tallac, showing her full power over the entire area.This prompted me to point up at her and say, "I got you twice, bit(#h!"
37 I have conquered that 7,935 foot monstrosity twice. My sister Gayle had done it many more times, as have Marcia and Jeff, but still. For the hikers out there, the climb is quite similar to Half Dome, without the rails.
38 Interestingly, Linda asked, "Are you going to try going up this year?"
39
40 "I'm not sure. I really don't think so. But who knows?"
41 That was a reference to my working my legs since last summer, when I could barely walk.
42 My legs could do it; I just don't know if my lungs are quite ready. A definite "maybe" for the first time in years.
43 Anyway, after the Beacon, we went back to the old spot to give a final look. The Lodge. It was abandoned. One car in the back, nobody in the office. It was a silent ghost town.
44 That also caught me up. Lots of beautiful memories, more than I could bear.
45 Randy convinced us to head home via the Emerald Bay lookout, Eagle Falls, and Vikingsholm, a trip that could only stop the heart.
46 What a treat! The sun stayed out, and everything came alive. It bordered on religious, no kidding. The snow, the shadows, the sun, the awesomeness of the Sierra all combined to making the ride home the highlight of the day.
47 I could go on. We found some cottages up at North Shore that were right out of Snow White. AND they were close to rafting on the Truckee River.
48 And the best part of our day: hopping on Highway 80 and flying back home during that lovely sunset last night. At one point I was soaring over the tops of trees, only to find I was moving past Donner Summit. Majestic. Grande. Dizzying, and clearly beyond words.
49 At one point, we all got separated by Roseville, which is where those guys live. I gave a wave, headed home, rustled up a little grub, and wrote all this.
50 Hope you enjoyed it. I sure did.
51 Still smiling'. Gottago.
52 See you again.
53 Peace.
22 I already knew what was up, and my daughter Caitlin had already researched rentals in the area. We all talked of options, but it kept coming back to staying in the same area, at least for this year. A series of "Thank you's" to Marcia and Jeff for the party led to us posting websites of places that had rentals. Almost immediately everyone began booking places.
23 So yesterday I was dressed, pressed, and out the door as soon as I heard from Linda. Hey, any excuse to hit Tahoe in March, right? Good weather. Great day. And it turned out great.
24 The ride to Tahoe rocked. Everything came alive: the sun shone brightly, the hills had fresh powder, and the water splashed furiously. Even areas that never had waterfalls in the summertime had them in droves. I boomed some rock with the windows open, and flew up to the Lake. Our rendezvous point: 7-11. Linda's husband Randy suggested it. I laughed. When I later asked him "Why 7-11?" He replied, "If we park at the Alpina Coffee Shop our cars will be towed!"
25 Ha! SO true!
26 I don't often go to Tahoe in the winter. I never was a skier, and I always feared my car sliding off the hill and into a canyon. Yesterday may have changed all that. The day was glorious! If you have ever gone to Tahoe via Highway 50, you know that once you hit Echo Summit, you get met with an incredible reveal of the Lake. You go around a series of turns, and it is suddenly off in the distance, a stunning sight on even a normal day.
28 But I have an old saying: There is no crying in Tahoe. Still, LOTS of memories. It is okay to get a bit sentimental, that's for certain.
29 When I reached 7-11...well, I don't have to tell you how emotional those places are, I parked back a bit in an area where you could barely see the lines.
30 Some guy in a huge truck flew in, gave me a dirty look, parked in front of the store, and shot me another dirty look.
31 Evidently I was parked too close for him to back straight out. He was getting a DVD from a Red Box.
32 He got his DVD, hopped in his truck, and squealed out, almost hitting me, then leaving a thin mist of idiocy in the air that the rest of us had to breathe. Tahoe does have those sorts. Morons. I wrote a poem about morons once. It was called "Morons." That guy was a flame-throwing moron. And yet, he was a poem.
34 She and Randy had spent the morning scouting around, so we toured all the rentals the family had posted. Amazingly nice cabins, and almost all within a walking radius.
35 Great times. We got over to the Beacon, and looked out on the wonderfully familiar view. Tahoe. The pier. Majestic Mt Tallac, showing her full power over the entire area.This prompted me to point up at her and say, "I got you twice, bit(#h!"
37 I have conquered that 7,935 foot monstrosity twice. My sister Gayle had done it many more times, as have Marcia and Jeff, but still. For the hikers out there, the climb is quite similar to Half Dome, without the rails.
38 Interestingly, Linda asked, "Are you going to try going up this year?"
39
41 That was a reference to my working my legs since last summer, when I could barely walk.
42 My legs could do it; I just don't know if my lungs are quite ready. A definite "maybe" for the first time in years.
43 Anyway, after the Beacon, we went back to the old spot to give a final look. The Lodge. It was abandoned. One car in the back, nobody in the office. It was a silent ghost town.
44 That also caught me up. Lots of beautiful memories, more than I could bear.
45 Randy convinced us to head home via the Emerald Bay lookout, Eagle Falls, and Vikingsholm, a trip that could only stop the heart.
46 What a treat! The sun stayed out, and everything came alive. It bordered on religious, no kidding. The snow, the shadows, the sun, the awesomeness of the Sierra all combined to making the ride home the highlight of the day.
47 I could go on. We found some cottages up at North Shore that were right out of Snow White. AND they were close to rafting on the Truckee River.
48 And the best part of our day: hopping on Highway 80 and flying back home during that lovely sunset last night. At one point I was soaring over the tops of trees, only to find I was moving past Donner Summit. Majestic. Grande. Dizzying, and clearly beyond words.
49 At one point, we all got separated by Roseville, which is where those guys live. I gave a wave, headed home, rustled up a little grub, and wrote all this.
50 Hope you enjoyed it. I sure did.
51 Still smiling'. Gottago.
52 See you again.
53 Peace.
~H~
fin.
DISCLAIMER
The only pictures I took on this entire DN
were the last three Tahoe pics: Emerald Bay, the long
shadow of myself, and the sunrise at the bottom
of the page.
The picture of us three at the top of the page
was taken by a bear.
Peace.
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