Fun Between the Snowstorms-Truckee, CA

For once the weathermen were correct and the first big snow storm of this season has played out as predicted so far.  It began late Friday and dumped while we were sleeping.  Then the snow cleared up for a while allowing us to get about on Saturday.   Then it came back in with a vengeance while we were sleeping again last night and we awoke to a total of about 3 feet here in Prosser Lakeview in Truckee.

My girlfriend has been out of town and I had promised her that I would exercise her doggie (who is my doggie’s best friend) while she was gone so Jennifer and I, Ceilidh, Roxie and Kaiha went for a little snowshoe out behind the Glenshire subdivision.  We broke trail pretty much and so did the dogs.  We were only able to go about a mile all total but all of us got our exercise — as you can see in the photo here.

As much as I am not excited about snowstorms, this has been a really nice one so far.  With just a few breaks and the sunshine streaming through, it really makes you appreciate the season.  I know that the ski areas and ski and snowboard enthusiasts  are just ecstatic over the beginning of a wonderful season.  I can’t remember when the Thanksgiving Holiday has been this well set up for skiers!!!  Come on up and enjoy!!

A Vist to NYC & Ground Zero

I just returned from a vacation which put me in a hotel on a corner that fronted on the site of Ground Zero in New York City.  I was visiting my college friends and we had a wonderful time but this photo did add a bit of remembrance and sobriety to the occasion.  The picture was taken from my hotel room window.   They are rebuilding the site and the two squares you see in this photo are the actual footprint of the twin towers — look really small don’t they?  From what I understand the plan is to NOT replace these two structures with buildings but rather they are installing two reflecting pools.  Looks like they are just about finished.

The other photo here is that of Bryan a part owner of O’Hara’s Tavern which was also across the street from Ground Zero.  He is holding a photograph of what the bar looked like the day after 9/11.  He told us that the people who were there will never forget — hopefully none of us will either.

October snow comes to Mt. Rose

I couldn’t resist taking this shot yesterday evening after work.  Please note the name on the street sign in the foreground — kind of bizarre, huh?  I’m afraid Spring is gone for another year.  Get ready for winter all you skiers!!!

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. . . .

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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