Overland Trail by Rail

If Tahoe is near and dear to your heart, than you may be one of the many people who know Hwy 80 very well.  Perhaps very well, indeed!

I live in Tahoe and I use Hwy 80 to get out of town when the need arises, as it often does (although Tahoe is beautiful and the locals are gentle souls, small town life is limiting and one occasionally needs more worldly sights and experiences!)

So many Tahoe lovers live in the California Bay Area and must use Hwy 80 to get back and forth from their residences to their weekend and holiday passions.  Depending on the day and time, 80 can be grueling... either dense with traffic or nearly impenetrable with weather.

And thus we all get to know it well.

Look familiar?

As for this year, the winter sites have been extreme, even for 80!

The highway 80 Sierra corridor has a fascinating history, from early pioneers who followed this path in covered wagons, to gold mining in the foothills which sparked the California boom, the building of the railroads (nearly impossible to engineer through difficult mountain passes) and the Chinese that provided the railroad labor. And let's not forget the "ill-fated" Donner Party, perhaps the history we are most well known for.

Then there is the establishment of Tahoe as a National Forest as well as the creation of the Pacific Crest trail that crosses 80 at the top of Donner Pass.  Of course, the development of residential neighborhoods and tourism around Truckee, Lake Tahoe and the Gold Country are all parts of the area's history, too. The development of our local ski resorts (including Squaw's Olympic past) is full of good tales.

Let's also not forget that many native tribes lived happily in our beautiful forests and meadows during the summer months. Truly, the stories wind on and on, and they are fascinating.  It took a daring mentality and a physical endurance to be a part of Tahoe's history, just as it does today (and those of us who have been dealing with this winter can attest to that!)

One great way to learn about all of this is to take Amtrack's California Zephyr train from Truckee west.  Some of the cabins have prerecorded history scrips that play as the train winds its way down through the Sierra's and the story they tell is spell-binding.  I recommend it to anyone who loves Tahoe and California history.

So why all this talk about Highway 80 and the train? Well, last weekend a girlfriend and I did a little antiquing out and about and we came across a wonderful train souvenir booklet.  Although the book has no date, we think that it is probably from the 20's, based on the clothing and the plow horses being used in the orchards.  It's called "The Overland Trail, A Scenic Guide Book Through the Heart of the Sierras On the Line of the Southern Pacific".  

We couldn't resist buying this charming memento of train travel in the early 20th century.

Among the many photos are some that still look familiar, even today.  I thought I'd share some of my favorites.  Do you recognize any of these sights?

To me, Colfax seems more forested than this today, but over the weekend I saw areas from Loomis to Granite Bay that still look pretty much just like this. In fact, we visited a beautiful nursery set right into an old orange grove.

Dutch Flats.  Does anyone know if there is still any mining there today? 

I love this panoramic photo of the American River Canyon.  Above, I've shown the entire photo and below are the two scanned sections blown up.

Although Highway 80 has been modernized over the years, the view is still pretty much the same!

Although the view of Donner Lake is from a slightly different angle than the view seen from the top of 80, you do see this view from the train.

Of course, you can't really discover this part of the world without running across the story of the Donner Party!

The current train still uses similar protective sheds against the heavy snows. In fact, today's sheds don't look like they are in the best of shape--perhaps they are the very same sheds, just barely kept in ill-repair over the years.

One of my favorite things about driving on 80 between Truckee and Reno is the beautiful view of the Truckee River.  Whether the river is high or low, it is always a wonderful sight.  And if you're lucky, there will be a train passing through.

My favorite photo from the book...

Although Lake Tahoe cannot be seen from Highway 80 or from the train either for that matter, the authors of the booklet must have felt that a photo of the lake was an essential inclusion, and who can blame them!  Here the lake is seen from Watson Peak and it's a view I have enjoyed myself while hiking.  I love the hats and skirts the women are wearing here.  Aside from the clothing, though, the view is pretty much the same today, although on any beautiful summer day in Tahoe, you would see many pleasure boats on the lake.  

The fact that so many of these 100 year old photos are showing vistas that essentially remain the same today is a testimony to our great national park and forest service program.  I for one am grateful that this beautiful scenery remains protected and will be there for future generations to love and cherish just as we do today.

By the way, the Tahoe Donner Land Trust is busy buying up much of the old ranches and forested estates in the area.  They are acquiring land at an impressive rate and are doing important work.  I have hiked a number of their recent acquisitions and they are quietly preserving land that has historical significance; where you can touch grinding stones left from native tribes, walk on wagon train tracks that still exist in the meadows and appreciate beautiful sights that are now protected for the future. And it is all freely accessible to anyone.  Here is a link to their site if you are interested:  http://tdlandtrust.org/  

Beautiful Mountain Living Board--Rustic Decor Ideas for Cabin Lovers

I've been creating a board with beautiful pictures that lead to beautiful articles about beautiful people who lead beautiful lives in beautiful mountain houses.  It's lots of fun and I know you'd enjoy it...

To visit the board, click on the image above.

I update the board whenever I run across something that inspires or interests me.  By the way, you can subscribe to the board if you'd like to receive an occasional email that there are new items of interest.  Just click the blue "subscribe" button at the top of the board.

Peach Pie and LIghtening

Peach Pie!  Hint...Eat it at the lake on the beach.  That's how we do it.  

Actually, that's how we usually do it.  This year we have periodic heavy rain with lots of thunder and lightening.  I just came back from a hair-raising hike with my sister and a friend.  We got about 20 minutes out when the lightning started up all around us.  

KABOOM!!
First we ran away from the pond because of the lightning danger. 

Then we crouched down under some pine trees because of the heavy rain.
KABOOM!!

Then we remembered about the tree danger (lightening targets).  So we ran away from the trees.   

Then we ran to a low spot and laid down.  

Then we got really wet so we got up and decided to make a run for it to the car.
KABOOM!!  KABOOM!!

Then there were trees everywhere (after all, it's a forest), KABOOM!! so we ran willy nilly through them trying not to get too close to any single one.
KABOOM!!  

Then we ran through a meadow, us being the tallest points for 100 feet on either side, squawking and screaming.
KABOOM!!  ABOOM!!  KABOOM!! 

By then it was only 10 minutes at a full sprint back to the car, KABOOM!!  But this was only accomplished with much dodging of lightning strikes, short stops to panic and much yelling of instructions at each other that no-one paid any mind to.  KABOOM!!

Finally, wringing wet, hair standing on end, panicked and crazed, we arrived at the car, loaded 5 dogs in, jumped in ourselves, slammed the doors and sat panting and gasping for breath while the lightning crashed all around us.  

We'll be eating our peach pie indoors this afternoon.  Here's the killer recipe we use every year.  The crowd always begs for more.  Serve it warm from the oven with lots of soft, drippy vanilla ice cream on top.

Cooks Illustrated Fool-Proof Double-Crust Pie Dough

Makes enough for one 9-inch pie

2.5 cups all-purpose flour

2 T sugar

1 t salt

12 T unsalted butter cut into 1/4 inch pieces and chilled

8 T vegetable shortening cut into 4 pieces and chilled

1/4 cup vodka chilled

1/4 cup ice water

1.  Process 1.5 cups flour, sugar and salt together in food processor until combined, about 5 seconds.  Scatter butter and shortening over top and continue to process until incorporated ad mixture begins to form uneven clumps with no remaining floury bits, about 15 seconds. 

2.  Scrape down bowl and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade.  Sprinkle remaining 1 cup flour over dough and pulse until mixture has broke up into pieces and is evenly distributed around bowl, 4-6 pulses.

3. Transfer mixture to large bowl.  Sprinkle vodka and ice water over mixture.  Stir and press dough together, using stiff rubber spatula, until dough sticks together.

4. Divide dough into 2 even pieces.  Turn each piece of dough onto sheet of plastic wrap and flatten each into a 4-" disk.  Wrap each piece tightly in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour.  Before rolling out dough, let it sit on counter to soften slightly, about 10 minutes.  (Dough can be wrapped tightly in plastic and refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.  If frozen, let dough thaw completely on counter before rolling it out.  

The key to making a great peach pie is great peaches, of course.  I like to start with ripe and delicious local summer peaches from my farmer's market.  

To make the peach pie, cut up a bunch of peaches, put in the uncooked pie crust, sprinkle with flour every few layers of peaches.  To make 2 pies, use 3 T butter and 1 cup of brown sugar.  Melt the butter and sugar together in a sauce pan.  Pour half of the mixture over the top of the peaches in each pie.  Sprinkle with a little more flour.  Place top crust on top of pie.  Poke with a fork.  Bake about an hour at 350 degrees. 

7PM July 4, 2015  The view from the beach.  By now the skies have cleared.  

The hills are alive...

I've decided to start chipping away at the Tahoe Rim Trail this summer.

For those of you who don't know, the Tahoe Rim Trail is a 165 mile loop that completely surrounds Lake Tahoe.  It meanders around the lake, mostly at higher elevations including rim tops and peaks with spectacular scenery looking both toward the lake and away from it into massive Sierra Nevada vistas.  The trail encounters smaller lakes, streams, meadows, sunny switchbacks, forested ravines, shale slopes, old lava fields and just about every type of  geology, view and high country terrain imaginable.

Although I enjoy backpacking, I have to face the fact that I am probably never going to pull a Cheryl Strayed and hike the entire Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from Mexico to Canada.  (If you haven't read her book, Wild, you really should.  I happened to hear her interviewed on NPR when the book first came out and read it then.  I loved it so much I ordered 3 more copies and lent them repeatedly to all my friends.)

Wild, one of my favorite books. I fantasize about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, but probably will never actually do it.

Unlike the PCT, the Tahoe Rim Trail is a goal I can probably achieve.  It's much shorter, and of course, closer to home.

Yesterday my friend Sasha and I did what will be my first segment, the 11 mile trail from Barker Pass to Ward Canyon.  We dropped a car at Ward and took the other car up the beautiful winding Blackwood Canyon drive to Barker Pass trailhead.  It was a gorgeous day and the wildflowers were spectacular.  Even though we are in a severe drought, recent rains have kept the dust down on the trails, the meadows greening up, flowers blooming and water in the springs and streams.

Ouch!!  Doing the full loop.  Elevation gain and loss from Tahoe City to Tahoe City.

Let me just say, that although I hike frequently and "take a walk in the woods" just about every day with my two dogs, 11 miles was a stretch for me, and for the dogs, too.  I came home feeling satisfied but exhausted and spent the late afternoon and evening under a down blanket watching serial reruns of The Barefoot Contessa with my exhausted dogs by my side...not moving...not one inch...all three of us.

"I'm not cooking dinner", I informed my husband, who was forced to run into town to purchase the fixings for one of the few meals in his cooking repertoire; Italian sausages, premade mashed potatoes (which he "cooks" by microwaving and then drowning in butter) and premade broccoli with cheese sauce.  When I  finally got up from under the blanket to mince-step into the kitchen, I could barely stand up straight and every footfall sent shooting pains up from my toes to my hips.  I may have been hoping for a Barefoot Contessa meal, but what I got tasted like the best food on the planet!  Big hikes make hungry tummies. Thank you Mark for pitching in when needed, as usual!

Anyway, the meadows were so beautiful yesterday with early wildflowers on full parade.  This particular segment had us walking for an hour or so through huge high elevation meadows in upper Ward Canyon near the backside of the Alpine Meadows ski resort.  They were absolutely stunning. I told Sasha that I felt like Shirley Temple in Heidi in that scene where she's running up a meadow on a Swiss mountain slope, yelling "Grandfather, grandfather".

Mules Ears and larkspur.  

More Mule's Ears and some Indian Paint Brush in orange.  

A favorite wild flower, native columbine.  It used to grow in my garden, but unfortunately, rabbits like columbine/

Portions of yesterday's segment were also spent near two different peaks, Barker Peak and Twin Peaks.  We also teetered for a while on the tippy top of mountain crests, which is pure and simply, one of the best feelings you can experience.

The path along the ridge line.  That's Lake Tahoe off in the distance.  

 

A view of Barker Peak and Twin Peaks in the distance, both of which we travelled past on our hike.  Barker Peak is a favorite day hike of mine and I often take out-of-town friends along, as the view to the lake from here is spectacular.  

That reminds me, does anyone remember the old TV show called The Happy Wanderer?  My parents loved it and we often watched it when I was growing up.  Sometimes when I'm hiking way up high on a mountaintop, the soundtrack from the show runs through my mind.  I can't help it, I'm a dork like that! Here's a youtube video with the track, in case there are any other dorks like me out there:

The Rim Trail is beautifully marked and maintained.  Trailheads are stocked with detailed maps for each leg of the hike.  In case you're interested in the Tahoe Rim Trail web-site or organization, see here.  

Next week I'll try a different section, probably Watson Lake to the Tahoe City Nordic Center.  I'm starting easy by choosing all the trailheads that start at higher elevations you can drive up to and therefore, hike somewhat downhill from.  Maybe I'll build up steam as the summer wears on.  Or maybe not.

By the way, Sasha is my real estate agent.  She's  a top-ranked agent with Coldwell Banker in Tahoe City.  I highly recommend her if you're in the market for a house in Tahoe.  You can find her at:   Office: 530.583.5581 Email: sasha.spiegel@gmail.com.

A hiking must-have... crazy hat!

Is that a Camper with a Boat Roof?

Yes, Martha, I do believe it is.  And check out the matching station wagon...

Spotted in Tahoe City.  Here's my question--is the camper a convertible when you put the boat in the lake?  Just asking.

By the way, my parents once owned this car...

It is shown outside of my grandparent's house in Blue River Wisconsin.  I have vague memories of it from my early childhood.  I know we used to take it camping up in the Sierras.  I guess that explains my love of the mountains...and station wagons!!