Mrs. Robinson

Last night we drove to the beautiful outdoor musical venue called Sand Harbor on the eastern shore of the lake, not far from Incline Village, to listen to a band called "Mrs. Robinson."

While I found their screeching disappointing, the views of the lake were spectacular!

Wildflower Hike at Lake Winnemucca

Yesterday, Barb and I hiked up to Lake Winnemucca. The route we chose took us through fields of wildflowers. One of the hikers we encountered along the way told us she has been doing this hike for 35 years and this was one of the two best wildflower seasons she could recall.

While Barb sat by the lake, I hiked up to one of the snow packs and brought her back a snow ball.

Boat Ride

On Wednesday, Frank and Judi took us on their son John's boat, which is docked on the lake not far from our back door.

Frank and Judi and Barbara wanted to look at the homes of the "rich and famous" that dot the eastern shore of the lake and which are visible, for the most part, only from the lake.

Rare Summer Thunderstorm

View from our back deck shows ominous clouds building over the mountains! I can feel the temperature dropping like it does just before it rains.

Monday Morning Tennis at Lake Village

This morning I had the opportunity to play with the guys for a change. Great tennis with Bob, Leo, and Chuck (from left to right in the picture).

Chuck, who is 80 years old, plays like a 50-year-old. When not playing tennis, he plays the drums in several local clubs.

Leo never shows up for tennis without a good joke. Today's joke: A man walks into a psychiatrist's office and says, "Doc, I think I'm a moth." The doctor says, "So why did you come to see me?" The man replies, "The light was on."

Sir Elton John

Last night we were treated to an outdoor concert at Harveys Casino. Elton John sang virtually non-stop for 2 1/2 hours! He sang new songs and old. The sound level was so high my eardrums are still bleeding! Not really, but sure feels like it.

Lakeside Inn

This afternoon Barb and I rode our bikes 14 miles round trip for a gambling junket to the Lakeside Inn, our favorite casino.

Lake Tahoe Factoid

The average depth of Lake Tahoe is 989 feet.

The deepest point is 1,639 feet, making it the third deepest lake in North America!

Eagle Falls Hike

On Wednesday, Frank and I hiked up to an alpine lake called Eagle Lake with an elevation change of 1,500 feet, taking us up to 7,700 feet above sea level.

The path was rocky and steep with fantastic views of Emerald Bay.

Rubicon Trail Hike

On Monday afternoon, Frank and I tackled our first major hike of the summer.

We did a 3.4 mile hike along parts of the Rubicon Trail which overlooks Emerald Bay.

Pope Beach Bike Ride

Barb and I rode our bikes on Sunday afternoon to Pope Beach, on my previously discovered secret path.

The views were still spectacular and the beach was crowded.

Monday Tennis

Dennis put me with the ladies yet again.

Is he trying to tell me something about my level of play?

HOT HOT HOT

I know I often mention the cool night time temperatures here, but I have to tell you yesterday Barb and I drove over to Carson City to play the Eagle Valley East Course with friends, Frank and Joe.

Afterward, I noticed the outside temperature, as registered on our car's console, was 100 degrees. Thank God for low humidity!

Lakeside Inn

One of our favorite places to gamble and enjoy a good sandwich or salad is the Lakeside Inn and Casino. And they serve wonderful breakfast dishes all day as well.

American Century Championship Golf Tournament

On Wednesday, for a change of pace, Frank and I attended a practice round of the American Century Championship Golf Tournament, held each year at this time at the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course.

Some of the celebrities we followed included; Michael Jordan (not the friendliest guy in the world, I would have to say), Jack Wagner (soap opera star), Dale Jarrett, Greg Maddux, Jerome Bettis.

This beautiful wooded course hugs the shore of Lake Tahoe. I think if I played it, I would be lucky to shoot a 130!

Bike Ride With Barb

Barb and I went for a leisurely bike ride on Tuesday. Our stops included Rude Bros Bagel Shop as well as the "ever popular" Sprouts next door where were enjoyed a mid-ride snack.

Also on the ride we returned some books to the library and picked up a few more. Until this year, as non-California residents, we had been restricted to one book each, but now that we've been here for a couple summers, the powers that be relented and now allow us to check out several books each.

Broadway On The Beach

On Monday night, Barb and I joined three other couples for a superb night of entertainment outdoors by the shore of Lake Tahoe in a venue called Sand Harbor State Park not far from Incline Village.

Monday's performance by the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra featured two wonderful soloists, Julia Murney and Emily Rozek, who perform regularly on Broadway. With lots a audience participation (someone paid $3,000 in an auction for the privilege of conducting one number during the performance!), a great lineup of songs from well-known Broadway shows, and beautiful lake shore scenery, a great time was had by all.

Tennis in the Keys

Got to play some challenging doubles tennis on Monday. I contacted Dennis, who runs one of the tennis leagues in the area and put my name in the rotation. Looks like I will be playing on Mondays here in the Tahoe Keys and on Fridays up at Lake Village just across the border in Nevada beyond the casinos. The players here are very serious!

Because of the altitude, we use "high altitude" balls. Not sure what the difference is, but the price is the same as "sea level" balls. You have to be very careful not to hit the balls long. The thin air at 6,000 feet does little to slow or stop them.

Secret Path to Pope Beach

On today's bike ride, I discovered the "road less traveled" to Pope Beach. My ride took me through woods and meadows.

What a relief to find a way that avoids the seriously crowded main bike/walking path along Rt 89 toward Camp Richardson.

A quick check of the temperature here tonight revealed it is 78 degrees and the humidity is a pleasant 21 per cent!

Saturday's Bike Ride

This morning I took a solo spin on my bike along the path in the woods beside Highway 89 leading past Camp Richardson, a favorite camping spot in this area, with easy access to Pope Beach and many hiking trails.

A favorite stop along the way is the General Store where one can stop for a cold drink on the open porch and people watch, if one is so inclined. Across the street, Richardson's Ice Cream Parlor beckons!

Smart Man With Smart Car

Scenes From Eagle Valley Golf Course

On Thursday, Barbara made her summer 2010 golfing debut by joining Frank and me for a round on the East Course at Eagle Valley on a beautiful, dry 90 degree day!

Busy Day

Today started off with a bang and never let up for a moment . . . Early morning boat ride with Frank on the nearby canals, first hike of the season with Barb on the Moraine Trail along the shore of Fallen Leaf Lake, lunch at one of our favorite haunts, Sprouts, where we were introduced to a Portuguese Water Dog named Billy, and an afternoon of blackjack at Lakeside Casino. This evening we rested!

Pleasant Weather

As the rest of the country suffers through a heat wave, we woke up to a comfortable 42 degrees outside this morning! Yum! --- Will try to send some cool, dry weather to all our friends and family who follow this blog.

Today's Bike Ride

No golf or tennis today. Barb off playing Mah Jongg with the gang, so . . . I decided to take a bike ride (stopping at Rude Bros. Bagels for refreshments along the way). My ride took me on trails through the woods and along the lake front. Encountered lots of bicyclists, walkers, and sun bathers.

Useful factoid: The sun shines at Lake Tahoe about 274 days a year. Weather here in the Sierras can be unpredictable and snowfall has been recorded in every month of the year!