Day 3, Saturday, September 12 - Pancakes, Boatride, Soup

Even though we went to bed last night thoroughly satiated, everyone arrived on time to indulge in Susie's Famous Blueberry Pancakes. Have to say, they were one of the best I have ever had, so thick and plump and light and full of berries. Susie Walsh with assistance from husband, Bud, had 72 pancakes flying off the three griddles on the table outside their coach. Eighteen of us consumed them along with bacon, sausage, OJ and coffee.

Stan Jones, Linda Barron, Barb and Wayne McCray enjoying breakfast

Susie Walsh serving Geri Cederholm

Khaki and Jana hoping for a handout

Barb and Rita enjoying a laugh while waiting for pancakes

John and Rita Ham had gone off geocaching (and rejoined us later at the pier), when the rest of us left the park towards Tahoe City and our 3 1/2 hour excursion on the beautiful blue waters of Lake Tahoe. At the end of the trip I will give you a cache tally (if John tells me) of how many they successfully found during the caravan. As we boarded the Tahoe Gal on the northwest shore of the lake some clouds could be seen off in the distance. Our trip covered the western shore from Tahoe City to Emerald Bay.


After settling in various places on the boat, we pulled away and the Captain gave us a narrative which included some Lake Tahoe Facts. The Lake was formed by geologic block faulting 2 to 3 million years ago when the Sierra Nevada to the west and the Carson range to the east uplifted creating the basin between. There were also volcanoes which formed plugs. Lake Tahoe is 22 miles long and 12 miles wide and has a 72 mile shoreline. Maximum depth is 1645 feet. It is the highest lake of its size in the US (elevation 6225 feet) and is nicknamed "the lake in the sky", the second deepest alpine lake in the US and the largest alpine lake in North America. If all the water drained out of the lake at once it would cover all of California to a depth of 14.5 inches. There are 63 tributaries draining into the lake and it is filled from snow melt. The only outlet is the Truckee River. The Nevada-California State Line goes through the lake with 2/3 belonging to California and 1/3 to Nevada. As an interstate navigable waterway, Lake Tahoe is protected by the US Coastguard. For more Lake Tahoe facts see http://www.virtualtahoe.com/ and http://www.tahoe.usgs.gov/








As our tour continued along over the crystal clear blue waters (one can see clearly to a depth of approximately 70 feet) we viewed the majestic mountain peaks, the ski runs of the surrounding ski areas and the huge forests of the Tahoe and El Dorado National Forests. Everyone was having a great time and also enjoying lunch, when those ominous clouds became closer and darker and the wind began to blow. Those enjoying the ride on the outer deck, quickly sought refuge with the others inside. The big picture windows of the boat allowed us to enjoy the view until it was nice enough to go outside again.


There is a lighthouse at Sugar Pine Point State Park which has the highest elevation of all lighthouses maintained by the US Coastguard. The captain pointed out Eagle Rock which is one of the volcanic plugs. At Meeks Bay is Desolation Canyon and the Rubicon Range. First settlers in the area named it for the Rubicon River as a warning to others that only trouble awaited those who crossed to the other side. DL Bliss State Park is where scenes from the long running TV show Bonanza were filmed. There are many marinas and beaches along the shore.




Finally we reached our destination (and turn around point) in Emerald Bay which was carved by a glacier. The Tahoe Gal traveled into the bay where the waters are a green color as opposed to the blue of the main lake and circled the only island on the lake, Fanette Island. Vikingsholm Mansion is visible from the water. It is a 38 room reproduction of a ninth century Norse fortress. The summer of 1929, 200 workers built the structure as a summer home for Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight. The mansion was constructed from materials found at Lake Tahoe. On top of the little island she also built a tea house where guests were rowed for high tea.


Leaving Emerald Bay the Captain sailed a straight line back to the pier. The caravaners enjoyed snacks, visiting with each other and playing games on cell phones.



Back at the campground a slight squall interrupted "happy hour" but the double rainbow that appeared was taken as a good sign. We were treated to a soup, salad and leftover brisket dinner. Joann and Bill brought their new wireless Bose speaker system and played music from Joann's ipod. The menu consisted of John Elways favorite soup prepared by Barbara McCray, Lentil-Barley soup prepared by Linda Barron and Chili prepared by Dee Irwin all accompanied by Texas Toast. While gobbling up leftover Apple Crisp with vanilla ice cream, Key Lime and Banana Cream Pie, the lovely dinner music was changed to Rock and Roll of the 50's and 60's which led to conversations about the music and what we were all doing during those years. Gene Barron furnished doo wop music.


Bedtime arrived and our thoughts turned to tomorrow's itinerary which will be a drive around the lake and visits from the land side of many of the sights we viewed from the lake waters.