PCT discovered

Not too far beyond Donner Lake is Donner Summit and the Pacific Crest Trail or PCT, and curiosity led us to check out a mile or so of the trail. We were glad we did: such a powerful experience of the High Sierra we had never had. Overcome with the beauty and rarefied air of the place, we vowed to return some day.

Donner Lake discovered

Just outside of Truckee is Donner Lake. At Donner Lake State Park we learned many details of the sad events that made this place famous, but rather than get sad we were moved by the courage of the pioneers and uplifted by the beauty of the place.

Truckee discovered

One of the great discoveries of this trip was Truckee. We knew it was out there, but who knew it was also a culinary destination? Who knew? Sunset Magazine? Apparently the Food Network knew when they featured Jax at the Tracks on their show "Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives". This seemingly ordinary diner was trucked all the way from Pennsylvania and is now a local institution.

Another highlight was this coffee house, Coffeebar, both for its well-crafted drinks and inviting indoor and outdoor spaces.

Tahoe clasico

The famously photogenic northeast shore...

 

Kaspian

The lovely lakeside campground where we sat at the picnic table for a moment.

Uncommon Kitchen revisted

The picnic table at the Uncommon Kitchen health food store, where we famously slugged down kombucha and tortilla chips in 2010.

Emerald Bay revisited

Emerald Bay, exactly as we had left it...

South Lake Tahoe beaches

These beaches in South Lake Tahoe are arguably gentle on the eyes.

Safari Rose, part 2

Safari Rose

 

It's not every day that you take a boat ride on Lake Tahoe... In fact it's only one day out of your whole life. And in this case, it was a beautiful boat on a cloudy, choppy day.

 

 

Chimney Beach

A great little hike on the east side of Lake Tahoe (part of Lake Tahoe State Park, NV).

South Lake Tahoe revisited

The famous road to South Lake Tahoe, sandwiched between two views of the lake itself.

Placerville courtyard

The famous courtyard in Placerville, where we have been known to drink coffee and do Sudokus.

San Luis Reservoir

The famous San Luis Reservoir, looking lower than ever.

flaming cheese

After an afternoon at Panther Beach we found this Greek restaurant in Santa Cruz proper called Vasili's that served saganaki, without question the most flaming cheese I have ever had.

Panther Beach

A striking beach in northern Santa Cruz county.

some paintings I liked...

...at the Monterey Museum of Art.

 "The Shores of Lohontan" by Maynard Dixon, 1935.

"American River" by Gregory Kondos, 1986.

"Mesa" by Walter Snelgrove, 1965.

the sea wall that made me feel like I was in Europe...

...but was actually in Pacific Grove.

the drone

Make no mistake, that was a drone I saw that day flying around the Coast Guard Pier, messing with seagulls (and to the left of the antenna below). Interesting to behold for a moment, but ultimately these things are probably more often trouble than not.