Wordless Wednesday

HKR GRLLL

That's right...I've taken my MountainMoxie and put her to the test. Yesterday marks the second hike I have gone on. My hiking pal S and I are determined to actually go, do, explore and exercise our lazy behinds by doing a different trail every weekend. We live 20 minutes over the hill from one of the most beautiful places on earth. The place is awash in trails, meandering paths, secluded beaches and beauty. Last weekend we did the Spooner Lake loop which sits at the top of Spooner Summit, Highway 50, which goes from Carson City to South Lake Tahoe. It's a 2.1 mile loop of a lovely, pristine lake with wildflowers and aspen groves and a history of native american activity evidenced by boulders turned into mortar and pestle work areas in one meadow off the lake. Pretty cool to sit there and imagine what it would be like to have an encampment there and live simply by the lake. There's more history of lumber milling and such but I prefer to dwell on the earlier historical aspects when people lived one with nature. Spooner Lake trail isn't really a hike so much as a meander. Level in most places it's a good steady workout with, did I mention, beautiful surroundings. Beats hoofing it around the neighborhood.

Aerial photo of Spooner Lake

We are currently limiting ourselves to hikes under 4 miles round trip to get ourselves use to all this movement. We've got four planned out and then we hope to tackle the Spooner Lake to Marlette Lake hike which is 8 miles round trip.

Yesterday we tackled the Nevada Northshore trail off Highway 28 past Spooner Lake but before you reach Sand Harbor. We headed down the trail from a handy parking lot and followed the Lake to 3 separate, secluded beaches that were so beautiful. The trails are well maintained and well traveled, though it is easy to meander away and then you are presented with some rather interesting boulder climbing to get back to where you want to be, which we gamely took on cuz it was fun and we were up for the challenge. We wandered down to the northern most beach, Chimney Beach, we think and sat for a nice spell at the shoreline and enjoyed the sun and water of Lake Tahoe and had a snack. Heading back we took an access road, that leads to these areas as well which was easier on our out of shape selves. We figure 3 maybe 3.5 miles. High fives all around. The great part is being out in this beautiful landscape everything falls away...no worries , no problems...it just is...breath and movement and scenery. I just might be hooked.

Here's a few snaps:

Lovely inlet at the start of our hike along the shoreline.

Shady spot amongst the boulders. I did mean boulders not rocks.

"Undeniable...

...how brilliant you are!"
Matt Kearny

Mountain Moxie Niece

Thanks MMniece for letting me drag you hither and yon...for loving the Indigo Girls concert...for appreciating the JavaDjembe ensemble...for suggesting InNOut at 1:00 in the morning and for letting me see your morning bedhead hair all askew. Love You!

Holiday....Celebrate

By Thursday of last week the news was good about containment of the Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe. The news had various officials in charge proclaiming 80% containment with few injuries and no deaths. Smiles all around. Relief tinged with sadness at those who lost their homes. It was a tense week and every time the wind kicked up it is as if everyone kind of stopped and noticed and hoped this wasn't the gust that kicked the fire over the containment line. Predictions were for 100% containment by yesterday with clean up and mop up lasting who knows how long. Still the show must go on and South Lake has decided to celebrate the fourth with it's traditional fireworks show, one of the biggest and best around. I will be there.

In more personal news, MMNiece is visiting from Flagstaff AZ for the week. I am very excited to spend time with the college girl who just got back from spending a semester in Wolverhampton, England. We have lots of fun things planned including a day at Sand Harbor in Tahoe and various activities in Reno for Artown plus tickets to see Indigo Girls. Yippee.

I couldn't resist a solo trip into Reno for opening night of Artown. It was a perfect evening and the setting of Wingfield Park on the Truckee River in the middle of Reno is awesome. It opened with a short parade featuring the March Fourth Marching Band followed by a really cool aerial show by Strange Fruit from Australia and then musical performances on the main stage. I've got a few photos for your enjoyment.

The Marching Band onstage.

Staging area from across the river.

Aerialist act Strange Fruit.

Have a safe and sane 4th of July Celebration.