Lake Tahoe, California. Winter, 1984.
"At last the lake burst upon us--a noble sheet of blue water lifted six thousand three hundred feet above the level of the sea, and walled in by a rim of snow-clad mountain peaks that towered aloft three thousand feet higher still! As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole world affords." ~ Mark Twain, 1861Nyssa lives, at least for the next three years, not far from Lake Tahoe. Her father and I were there once for one of his conferences and that is where we took beginner ski lessons. Skiing is much like ice skating, in that the blades and the skis have two edges and the tasks of turning and stopping require use of the edges rather than the flat of the ski or blade. The ski is just a lot longer than the skate and more cumbersome. It is much easier to get up with skates than with skis attached.
The lake is beautiful and the pine trees surrounding it produce some of the largest pine cones I have ever seen, up to six inches in diameter and eight to ten inches long. It is a rugged landscape with sharp mountains and only a small strip of land at the base between the mountains and the lake. Big collections of boulders extend out into the water in some areas and snow was scattered everywhere. We were there in February and huge piles of plowed snow were prominent.
Currently, they are experiencing the first big storm of the season and as I understand, two more are right behind. The mountain passes are difficult going and mandatory chain use is in effect. Nyssa tells me that she and her roommate may take the dog to Seattle to stay with her roommate's mom over Christmas. By my calculations, there is NO way to get from Reno to Seattle WITHOUT having to go through at least one of the high mountain passes. She is ignoring my advice not to do this. Even if she had chains, she probably couldn't get them on or they would be the wrong size and it is going to be a slow go of it. In the bad areas, they often have to close the passes with the wind and blowing snow. This is a Mississippi person.... a Virginia person.... minimal contact with driving in snow... even on flat areas. Hopefully, someone will talk her out of this. By what the Weather Channel is saying today, I don't think she would even be able to get up to Tahoe today!
Lake Tahoe picture from 1899
This was a picture I found on the net of Lake Tahoe from 1899. It really hasn't changed configuration that much has it.
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Scenic Sunday
7 comments:
As soon as I saw the photo at the top, I thought "That must be Lake Tahoe." I do hope that prudence prevails and that she stays safe.
Oh, gosh, when is she planning on doing this? The young people are just fearless, I'm sure I was st tht age, too. I will say a prayer today for safety for her safety!
I'm confused about my California geograph. I always thought it was warm in Lake Tahoe. I remember being in Aspen a few years ago when the high mountain passes around it were inpassable. htp://looseleafnotes.com
that tree in the lower lest of the photos i magnifcent. I love all things trees and especailly ones that are like this. minus their leaves or dead from someting. it is a lovely scene
The lake looks beautiful in the snow. I do hope your daughter rethinks the drive if the weather is going to be so poor. Snow may be beautiful but it's no fun to drive in sometimes.
Young people are so filled with reckless confidence. Something I admire as a person but dread as a parent. I hope all goes well.
Sigh...they don't listen do they? Oh, I hope she doesn't do that although my daughter would probably think it was a great idea. I wouldn't do it without studs at least and they are illegal in some areas. Tell her a native Buffalonian wouldn't do it... fingers crossed....
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