THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Lake Tahoe :: The Stunning California Side

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

April 29, 2013. Yep, we are almost 4 months behind in the actual visit and the post here on Reflections.

After experiencing part of what Nevada had to offer, we headed back towards California, they did not hide their state line sign as well as Nevada did.  I mean, if you were paying attention to the stop lights, you just might see the California State Line.

It had been suggested we drive up to "Heavenly".  OK, let's go.  Turns out it is a ski area.  97 runs, 30 lifts between California and Nevada.  4 base facilities. 4,800 acres. Highest elevation of the Lake Tahoe area resorts at 10,067 ft.  OK, I am impressed and I am not a skier.  The area was pretty much shut down, no skiing going on, buildings closed up.

Time to turn our sights on the southern end of Lake Tahoe.  Looking over Jolly's hood, yep, that IS the side of the road and yep, there is a bit of a sheer drop off.  Believe me, after Hetch Hetchy and 120 into Groveland California, this was rather mundane.

At Inspiration Point Vista we parked, and did what all other visitors were doing, walked around the locked gates.  Most of the state park and National park/land/forestry areas simply were not open yet.  It was worth walking around a locked gate or two, the views were spectacular.  This is Fannette Island.  One of the paddle wheelers is leaving Emerald Bay.

According to the signage at Inspiration Point Vista, Lake Tahoe is so clear in some places you can see objects 67 feet below the surface, with no trouble!

Lake Tahoe is the third deepest lake in North America, about 1,600 feet deep.

During the summer surface temperatures can reach 68 degrees, however, the water will remain 39 degrees to depths of 600 feet below the surface.  The water is in continuous motion, mixing the warm with the cooler water, Lake Tahoe never freezes.

Water flowing from Lake Tahoe never reaches the ocean.

Rather amazing facts, aren't they?  Back to seeing what Sony Too saw - -

Looking out over Emerald Bay to Lake Tahoe and snow capped mountains beyond. Emerald Bay is three miles long and one mile wide.

Vickingsholm, was a summer retreat for Lora J. M. Knight.  200 workers built this home, in one season.  With a LOT of help from Sony Too and zoom,  I bring you, Vickingsholm.

Fannette Island, rises 150 feet above the bay.   Mrs. Knight built her teahouse here, it measures 16 foot by 16 foot and was only used a few times a year.

Zoom, thanks to Sony Too.  Wouldn't you just love to be able to have tea here, just once??  SIGH.

Sadly, this was all of the California side of the Lake Tahoe area we had time to see.  We had a very long drive ahead of us to return to camp and the Rally.

I must apologize for the reflections and glare in this next photo, but, I wanted to share.  LOVE this sign, and believe me, you blink and you WILL miss this place!

And, another Bridal Veil Falls.  Doing a bit of research, it seems this is just east of Fresh Pond. It was right along 50 and there was a bit of a pull off.

Our long long day trip to Lake Tahoe was quite remarkable, regrets,  just that there was not enough time, and that the national and state parks along the way were not "open" for business.  Maybe next time - -

THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Watching California Kite And Sail Surfers With Sony Too

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Surfing is probably boring stuff to all my west coast friends, but, it is interesting to me.  Actually what is interesting is the chase with Sony Too. Can I get good photos, close ups, zoom, jumping, catching the waves?  Here are some photos of the chase, taken on two different days in two different locations south of San Francisco.  Mixed together, just for fun.

This one was edited/cropped a bit to bring the surfers closer:

No cropping, just a lot of zoom:

Sail surfer, no cropping, more zoom!

Kite Surfer.  Cropped, to bring the surfer in closer,  YEP, caught him in the air:

Not cropped, leaning a bit, well, leaning a lot if you ask me, turning.

Not cropped, and yes, it is a gal.  Believe she and her dad came out and surfed together.

Not cropped, same gal, leaning back, almost laying down prior to take off.

Not cropped, same gal, going out, some dude coming back in.

Not cropped:

Not cropped, heading for the water.

Not cropped. Get the kite flying:

Not cropped.  Lean back, hold on to those ropes, that wind will take you with it, believe me!

Not cropped.  Look at the size of that wave.  He still needs to get ON the water.

Not cropped, sitting down, and in seconds he will pop up and be surfing.

I spent some pleasurable moments (minutes) taking photos of the kite surfers and sail surfers.  I think Sony Too did fine considering how far away we were, the bright glaring sunshine, and the fact that I was hand holding Sony Too.  As I look at these photos I am struck at the strength of the surfers, the wind, the waves.

So, who wants to try kite and/or sail surf?  I cannot say the water is fine, well, because it is  C--O--L--D.  And, mmm, no, I will not join you.  After watching these fine athletes manhandling these kites and sails into submission, I have no doubt I am not trying this. They are amazing.  I stand in awe.




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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Red Rock Canyon State Park, Near Mojave California

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

March 18, 2013

Yes indeedy, I was hard up for color and yes indeedy, I found ANOTHER Red Rock Canyon.  Must visit if only BECAUSE of the name!

This one is on 14 north of Mojave California, just a few miles north of 58.  We stopped for 2 nights just to take in the canyon, of course, we found a bit more, but, the canyon was the reason for the stop.

Not many words this post, just glorious land forms, enough red to make me happy.

Yep, all white, but, the structure, the art work of Mother Nature and her rain machine - -

Yes, we took a hike, about a mile or so, in Hagen Canyon.  The canyon is named for a German immigrant, Rudolph Hagen, he mined in the area.  He eventually opened a diner with a bar, primitive lodging and a post office, his own private park.  He named many of the rock formations himself.

The contrasts ALWAYS leave me breathless.

The park is quite large, and we did not take Jolly off road, where they say there are some terrific things to see.  Between you and I, the forms you can see from 14 just driving through right by the Ricardo Campground and Hagen Canyon are so spectacular that I could have stood there for hours, never moved an inch and been totally delighted.  I guarantee these photos do not come close to portraying the beauty here.  Well worth the time to stop and see and experience.  If you happen along that way, even if you cannot spend a couple of nights, just drive north on 14 from 58, a few minutes of your time, worth it, so worth it!



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THE Trip, THE Encore' :: Scotty's Castle, Death Valley

Copyright 2013, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

March 12, 2013.  On tap today, the long ride from Stovepipe Wells to Scotty's Castle.  One of the "must do" items on our list for Death Valley.  The National Park Service has a page here, and they have a nice long article (click several times to read it all) on the history and story behind Scotty's Castle, here.  It was about a 45 mile trip (one way) from Stovepipe Wells to Scotty's Castle.  We hoped to be able to take advantage of some of the guided tours, and we did, two of them, in fact.  The road there was long, almost no vegetation, some land forms that were interesting.

However, today's trip was about the Castle, NOT the land forms.Our first view of the castle grounds:

The Castle:

The unfinished pool, well, half of the unfinished pool.

Chimes tower, which was roped off as unsafe at this time.

Courtyard:

Yes, there are a few gargoyles too!

I took all interior photos au natural, meaning no flash.  There were no specific rules against it, but, I prefer to see my photos looking like the reality I experienced.  The castle has thick walls, heavy drapery, is dark inside.  For the most part the photos of the interior reflect that natural appearance, only minimal digital editing was done.

Inside, the Great Room, for the most part the furnishings are original.

Love this drapery rod.  It is said that some of the drapes in the house were hand tooled, hand painted, made from sheepskin leather.  Since you are not allowed to touch, we will just have to take the word of the docents on that one.

More interesting window coverings.

Dining room, the table was quite long.  I was drawn to the table settings in the multi sectioned display buffet.

The kitchen sink (and I believe over in the back corner was the trash can, beautifully covered with those gorgeous tiles.)  In the kitchen especially, functionality was covered by doors and beautiful tiles.

OK, I am not sure how comfy that chair on the right would have been to sit in, but, it sure is an interesting piece of furniture, the draperies are stunning.

This chair was in the music room, sure looks like there is a door under the seat, doesn't it?  The organ had pipes hidden behind walls, it was quite the thing.  According to this page, "The Welte-Mignon theater pipe organ features 1,121 pipes, a grand piano, glockenspiel, xylophone, chimes, orchestra bells, sleigh bells, bird calls and a drum and cymbal assortment, and cost more than $50,000 to purchase, deliver, and install in 1928."  It still makes beautiful music today.

After the "house" tour, which included quite a few bedrooms and so much more than I am showing you here we went on a second tour.  This tour was for Man, the "working stuff" of the house, the power plant and tunnels.  Yep, he was really into it.  I, well, not so much.  However, part of the tour shows you the "underwater" view of the pool, and all the tiles that had been brought in to finish the pool, which was never finished.  Hundreds of tiles, many of them hand painted.  They were so pretty.

Batteries, and MORE batteries.  There were about 100 Edison Nickle Alkaline storage batteries.  Our RVing friends that do a lot of boondocking will enjoy this photo, I am sure.

This door evokes many ideas, suggestions.  Medieval times anyone?

There was a cemetery on top of a hill behind the house.  I did not wander (err, hike) up there, but, found this memorial at Find A Grave for Walter Scott, for whom the castle is named.  Walter was not the owner, just part of the mystique of the castle.

We spent several hours at Scotty's Castle, it was time to head back to camp, but, not before one more stop, with some of the most unusual, fascinating landscape we will see in Death Valley, and that's saying something in this area of the unusual.




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