Bye Bye Vail’s Pharmacy

I drove by the Tahoe Forest Hospital inTruckee today and had to do a double take.  The building that has served as the hospital’s business office for the past 5-6 years was suddenly just a pile of rubble.  It is being taken down in order to make way for the new Cancer Center to be erected.   This discovery was particularly nostalgic for me since I have lived in Truckee for 30 years, and have seen the building morph through several different phases.

When I first got here, this was the location of the only pharmacy in town (well it wasn’t really a town then but nevertheless):  Vail’s Pharmacy.  The town did have a Safeway but that was in the day when Safeway was just a grocery story.  Well with the introduction of Longs over in the old Lucky center on Deerfield Drive, this little family owned pharmacy could not survive.  They saw the writing on the wall and when offered the opportunity, they sold their property to the Hospital.

People bemoan the changing landscape in small town America.  Well here in Truckee, as much as we try to prevent it, progress continues to march — forward (or backward?).  So long Vail’s. . . .

Quiet Time

I like this time of year, it is quiet.  The traffic is a little slower, a few more parking places to choose from. The pace just seems to slow down a bit. The mornings are cooler, but the days still warm up to a pleasant t-shirt kind of day. Soon the trees will be changing their color as the days get shorter, but for now there is still time for a nice hike after work or glass of wine out on the back deck. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t live in a tourist town because I love the quiet (well, yes I do – kind of),  it is just a nice break from the hustle bustle of the summer and winter seasons here in Truckee.  We love the tourists and make no mistake, they are our bread and butter. It is just a different kind of season for us, that is what I love about the High Sierras – The Seasons.

Donner Party Hike, October 9-10, 2010

This summer I have been able to enjoy several of the hikes that are easily accessible to us around Truckee.  Some  people who don’t live in our area can’t just go out for a 4 hour hike without getting in their cars and traveling 3-4 hours from the city.  Again this year the Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce has organized the “Donner Party Hike,” an inexpensive and convenient way for visitors and locals to become acquainted with the routes and stories of the Donner Party.

When I arrived in Truckee 30 years ago, I was taken with the story of the Donner Party.  Being from the midwest, I could understand how the Donner Party got themselves into the situation where they had to spend the winter in the Sierras.  Back home, when it snows, it generally melts over the next couple of days.  The standing snow generally gets no higher than about 18 inches (if my girlfriend in Silver Springs MD is reading this — she will refute this after this past winter).  So when Jacob Donner hurt himself while trying to repair a wagon wheel, he and his family decided to just take a few days to rest, thinking that the snow would stop falling, they could wait for it to melt and then press on.  Well they hadn’t counted on the elevation playing such a huge part in the retention of snow.  Thus their story and how they spent the winter in 30 feet of snow, surviving on little food has become part of our history here in Truckee.

During the Donner Party Hike weekend you can hike on Saturday for $45 per hiker (advanced tickets).  The price of admission includes a guided hike, commemorative hat, a barbeque lunch and a presentation by Mark Twain on the subject of Tales of the Comstock (something he knows lots about).  There are 5 different hikes you can choose from — with various subject matter and activity levels.  The Chamber makes a point of mentioning in their brochure that the hikes are long in length and do require some athletic ability.  You will have to carry your own water and personal items.  There will be no drinking water or restrooms along the hike.  Don’t want to scare anyone, just give them the facts, that’s all!!

Sunday’s program includes an interpretive  walking tour beginning at the Donner Party Camp on Hwy 89 and continuing on at the Emigrant Trail Museum.  The price for this portion is $15 per person and includes day use at the Donner Memorial State Park.

If you are interested in doing the whole weekend — the price is a package of $60 per person.

Sign up in advance at The Truckee Donner Chamber of Commerce.   Several hotels/motels have extended some discounts if you want to spend the night in Truckee.  Get out, enjoy and learn!!

South Lake Tahoe Wood Boat Show

This past weekend my family participated in the Wood Boat Show held in South Lake Tahoe.  This was held as a  benefit to support the Boys &  Girls Club. The ACBS put on a great show and I must say they treated their participants very well. The Thunderbird was there celebrating it’s 70th year on Lake Tahoe – she sure is a beauty! After a long day in the sun they fed us well with plenty of fluids to re-hydrate. Saturday I broke away for a hike to take in a spectacular view of Fallen Leaf Lake with Lake Tahoe in the background, it really makes me feel blessed to live where I do. Sunday many of the participants fired up their woodys and cruised across the lake to Sugar Pine Point State Park where once again we were treated to a great meal as they passed out their awards. Our Philbrick, “Kids First” took  2nd place in her category – WooHoo!

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail

Lest you all think that I never get out to enjoy the surroundings here, that I am all work and no play, let me set you straight.  My daughter’s recent wedding drew many family members from near and far to the Sierras and rather than waste off time sitting around, we chose to do several hikes.  I got to participate in two of these hikes, both of which were on the Pacific Crest Trail or what is commonly called, the PCT.  The PCT is a trail which extends from Canada through the US and on into Mexico.  You can read more about it here. When I looked it up, I was pretty amazed and frankly humbled to be in the company of such august persons who were responsible for establishing this great recreational facility.

The two trips we made were the Mount Judah Loop which showcased spectacular flowers and views and the hike I made yesterday which took us on a route of the Trail that extends from the Boreal Ski Area, near Highway 80 to Old Highway 40.  The flowers were still vibrant, the views were wonderful but this hike was a little less intense than the Mt. Judah trip.

Here are some pictures, the people that I traveled with yesterday are my brother David and his wife Kate.  We were rewarded by some great views, solitude and later a wonderful dinner at the River Ranch in Alpine Meadows. Thanks to everyone — for reminding me once again how great it is to sell real estate in the High Sierras!!

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