Turf and Surf

No, I’m not talking about those lobster and steak specials advertised on casino billboards as you make your way through the mountains on Highway 50 coming to Lake Tahoe. I’m talking about where we have found ourselves over the last week. We recently took a 7.7-mile hike up on the turf leading to Round Lake.  And, we’ve been paddling the surf in Lake Tahoe in our new inflatable kayaks.

The Tahoe region has more lakes than you’d imagine.  It is not just Lake Tahoe, there are dozens of hidden gems in the mountains. I went on the hike with my husband who competes in triathlons, and my two young, beautiful and fit adult daughters. Now, I try to stay fit myself.  I swim regularly, walk a lot and yet still need to lose some weight.  I am the tortoise- slow and steady, who wins the race.  Or, at least finishes the hike. I use hiking poles that really help with the steep grades. I am way past caring about looking dorky. 

Round Lake is along the Tahoe Rim Trail, and is at an elevation of 8,000 feet. The trail leads you up and down, and up and down though cool pine forests full of wild flowers, streams and chattering squirrels and chipmunks. My dog, Teddy isn’t much of a swimmer, but he loved walking into the creeks and cooling off his tummy and feet while taking a drink of probably the most pure water he ever swallowed.

After the first part of rather steep uphill trails, we were rewarded with an open expanse called Big Meadow.   I had to stop myself from doing a Julie Andrews imitation, “The hills are alive, with the Sound of Music.” I’m sure I would have made my daughters cringe, even though we were completely alone, and the only sounds were that of the distant calls of birds in the far away woods.

Mandy and Toby in Big Meadow

Then, at last we arrived at Round Lake, cool, blue with forbidding jagged granite cliffs that stood sentry over the lake.  All I could do was exhale and take it all in.  We found a shady spot and had our lunch.  Rob of course went in for a swim.  It was an amazing adventure, and I can’t wait to go back.

Round Lake

And then there is the surf.  I don’t know how else to put it: I just love kayaking. It is a fun way to get exercise. There is nothing like being out on the water and looking back at the land- the beach, the mountains, the trees, and feeling a sense of freedom, and as corny as it sounds, a oneness with nature.

We bought a couple of 2 person inflatable kayaks because we were tired of hoisting the two ‘real’ kayaks we had onto the top of the car, tying them down and then having to unload them at the lake.  Let me tell you, the inflatable ones are just as much work, but they are great.  They come in a big bag and with a healthy set of lungs, a foot-pump or a battery operated pump, they blow up pretty easily. 

After spending some time getting our inflatables ready for their maiden voyage, we began our kayaking adventure in a tributary of Lake Tahoe that is basically snow melt from Mount Tallac.  This area has been dry as a bone for the last few years of the drought, but this year, it was a reedy, water lily filled stream. Paddling up the creek was peaceful, with no sounds except for the birds and the wind rustling the scrubby plants and trees. 

Rob paddling up a tributary to Lake Tahoe with Mount Tallac in the background

Then we crossed the stream where it entered Lake Tahoe.  On this busy weekend day, colorful umbrellas, inner tubes, floating toys and small boats were everywhere.  We paddled to the west shore admiring boats of all sizes. It is amazing how quiet it becomes as soon as you are a short distance from shore. 

                                                          Retirement is pretty good so far.