Lake Tahoe

We are saddened to read about the flash flood in Arkansas that ripped through a campground there with 23 feet of water.  Having spent lots of time in campgrounds, we know the people missing are young families, primarily, with kids.  They are a happy fun loving lot and are very close.   I can see young moms and dads riding bikes, canoeing or just fixing a meal together over an open fire.

The night that flood happened we were also parked next to a stream.  It was roaring with snow runoff.  The thought crossed my mind about a possible flash flood being we were deep in the bottom of a valley.  I figured the snow runoff would let up during the night time hours, if there was any change at all.   But not having up to date weather information you could find yourself in a bad situation if a big storm came by during the night and dumped inches of rain like it did in Arkansas.

Those poor people were in a remote area with no cellphone signal,  no weather warning radio to wake them, no warning what was coming their way.  I will be even more vigilant now to take note of where we camp as we like getting back into remote places.  Our prayers are with the families still hunting for loved ones and those who mourn.

This morning we will get around and drive down to Lake Tahoe.  They say it is very beautiful this time of year.  The water is very clear and deep blue in color.   We will try to post some photos when we return.

We are back from the lake.  We drove the whole way around it.   It was about 80 miles.  The lake is beautiful.  The deep blue water reminds me of the deep ocean offshore.  Darlie snapped photos out the side window as I drove.  There were few places to pull off to just look at the lake.  Rt 89 down the west side of the lake has switchbacks, steep grades, narrow sections along shear drop offs and the added hazard of a million young people on bicycles pumping up hill.  It takes full concentration to drive this section.  There is a warning for long vehicles to avoid the trip.  I have conquered the mountain in Escalante National Monument.  I can conquer anything.

The road was rather easy to drive until you reach Emerald Bay at the south end of the lake.  Once again I had to drive across a piece of pavement with no shoulder, guardrail or curb which had a drop into the lake a thousand feet below on one side or into a ravine a thousand feet below on the other.  I had the added hazard of three bicyclist who own the road coming across the narrow section.  There was a line of oncoming traffic which had to move over into my lane to avoid the bikes.  I wasn't giving them an inch.  I didn't have it to give.  Looking out my right side mirror, I could see my wheels riding right along the very edge of the pavement.   There was nothing but air beyond them.  The autos honked at me with annoyance because I held my ground.  Some people don't seem to realize just how wide these things are.  In any case, I crept across slowly while Darlie happily snapped pictures totally unaware of the danger around us.  Incredible!

The lake has two distinct atmospheres.  The south end is very busy.  There are lots of big hotels, casinos and all the other tourist trap things.  You could sense the tension and stress among the people scurrying around.  We avoid cities and tourist traps for this reason.  We are seeking peace and tranquility.  We find the country people patient, kind and very friendly.  As soon as we hit a city the mood changes.  People are very impatient, quick to become irritated and they look at you in a store like you don't exist.

As we were driving through the south end, however, Darlie got a whiff if BBQ smoke.  She spotted a guy along the road with a smoker going.  She made me turn around to get some.  The guy had pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw topping for $8.00.  We got two.  I told the guy my wife made me turn around.  He said, "Smart woman."  I had to agree as the sandwiches were no only huge but delicious.  He told me he smokes with apple wood.  It gave the meat a sweet smokey flavor.

The north end of Lake Tahoe I found to be a very pleasant place.  It consists of cabins, some very opulent, while others just looked cozy.  Along the road there were small cafes and restaurants, gift shops, antique stores, mom and pop motels and the like.  People were strolling along care free.  Many stood around talking an laughing.  It is a very relaxed place.  If I were to come to spend a vacation here, I would pick the north end.  If you like bright lights, casinos, shows, noise and confusion, head to the south end.

Darlie took so many photos she ran her battery down and had to continue with my camera.  She must have taken 300 at least.  I created a monster when I gave her a camera.  But if she didn't take pictures we would arrive home with about 10 if it was up to me.  I think I have said that before.  Old age.  You repeat yourself a lot.  Mainly it is for two reasons: 1. you think no one is listening and 2.  you forgot you said it before.

On the way back, we drove through downtown Truckee.  The main street was of a period many years ago.  The old stores had been converted to gift shops, eateries and arts and craft places.  There was an old Flying A gas station that had the old pumps out front that looked like new.  Next to the station was the Truckee train station.  Again, it was from a different period.  You could almost hear the conductor crying, "All Aboard!"

We decided to take a stroll around town.  I pulled into the municipal parking lot where I was confronted with a pay station.  I was dumbfounded.  They want me to pay to spend time and money in their stores and businesses?  I think not.  I drove away.  It is the principle of the thing with me.  They had nothing there that I couldn't live without.  I was doing them a favor to stop.  Indeed!

We stopped at a fruit stand because Darlie saw some of those delicious cherries we bought along side the road down in the San Joaquin Valley.  She jumped out as soon as the MH came to a stop.  She jumped right back in just as fast.  I said, "What's up?"  She said when she asked the lady how much the cherries were a pound she hesitated, looked at the RV and said, "$4.50".  Darlie told her that would outrageous and got back in.  We don't take to getting hosed because we are tourists.

We drove back to the Coachland RV Park where we had reserved another night.  I unloaded the bicycles .  There was an inch of dust on them.  We haven't seen a drop of rain since we were in Louisiana three or four weeks ago.  We dusted them off and took a ride around the park.  It is a very large park.  One end has permanent residences.  People were out working in the yard, planting flowers and cleaning decks.  Spring has sprung here.  It is cool this after noon and it will be in the 30s again in the morning.  Darlie is loving it.  I wear my coat.