“… blogging about life, travel, books, food and the outdoors”
Masks and COVID-19 testing should be routine for everyone
I’m not a big fan of doing anything involving the medical profession. It’s a short, boring story dating back to when I was a kid having to get weekly allergy shots. Come to find out what ailed me was migraines. I share this because I willingly got a COVID-19...
read more Masks and COVID-19 testing should be routine for everyone
I’m not a big fan of doing anything involving the medical profession. It’s a short, boring story dating back to when I was a kid having to get weekly allergy shots. Come to find out what ailed me was migraines. I share this because I willingly got a COVID-19...
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The United States in name only
“Go back to where you came from.” What an ignorant, racist comment. No one can tell where someone or their ancestors came from based on skin color. On top of that, white people are not native to the United States and they are the ones spouting this hateful...
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Book Review: ‘Borderland’ a murder mystery with intrigue
Drug lords, murder, a U.S. presidential campaign, love, family intrigue – “Borderland” (Wildblue Press, 2017) has it all and then some. Author Peter Eichstaedt weaves a tale in this novel that while at times is formulaic, at other times offers unexpected plot twists....
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Todos Santos choir provides comfort in times of sadness
A rhythmic melody filled the room; soothing, as though it were intended to lull a listener to sleep. The intent of Comfort Singers of Todos Santos is to bring calmness to the person who is being sung to, as well as to caregivers and anyone else who may be there. It’s...
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Liberty Utilities prepping for dangerous fire season
Liberty Utilities says it is doing what it can to not be responsible for starting a fire. This includes trimming trees around power lines, improving infrastructure, installing weather stations, and having plans in place for potential power shutoffs. “At the end of the...
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SLTPD defends its practices as others question them
An officer with a gun is intimidating—even when all you’ve done is your job. And you did it well and accurately. He didn’t like what I had to say about his wife who was on the South Lake Tahoe City Council at the time. He let me know in no uncertain terms I needed to...
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Monkey Rock provides stunning views of Lake Tahoe
A monkey in Tahoe? Yes, with just a small amount of doubt. It might actually have been a gorilla. The stone-faced creature has one of the best views of Lake Tahoe from the Spooner Backcountry. He was a little rough to touch, but docile. I think he was a he. I didn’t...
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Tourism officials in overdrive to get people back to Tahoe
Updated June 25. Road trips. That is what most tourism bureaus are banking on to salvage the summer season. Tahoe is no different. “Travel will be more regional. The drive market will be expanded,” Carol Chaplin, CEO of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, said June 19....
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Sharing space with geckos indoors
Other than startling me at times and irritating me when they poop on my pillow, I got used to sharing my home with geckos. They would stay high enough on the walls to avoid AJ the dog, though I’m not sure what she would do if one would have come across her path. They...
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Free shipping on Tahoe outdoor books; sign up for presentation
The novel coronavirus forced the cancellation of all of my spring book signings. However, this doesn't mean you can't get a signed copy of any of my books. Even better, I am waving the postage through July 2020. For those who would like a signed copy, email me at...
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History of Todos Santos comes alive on walking tour
If only the walls could talk. So much history is hidden inside the brick buildings of Todos Santos, Mexico. Fortunately, every other year many of these buildings are open to the public during the Historic Home Tour. Wood isn’t often used in this tropical...
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Book Review: ‘The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto’ hits a chord
“The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto” took me on an unexpected journey. Perhaps it touched me more as I keep hearing of stories of how music is helping bring people together during the pandemic. This book by Mitch Albom (HarperCollins Publishers, 2016) is told from...
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Lake Tahoe spills forth from top of Cave Rock
Cave Rock at 360-feet-tall and 800-feet-around is more than a tunnel allowing fluid travel on Highway 50 in the Lake Tahoe Basin. From the top is one of the best views of the lake. It also remains a symbol for the Washoe people who once occupied all of this...
read more Join the virtual outdoor book presentation set for June 24
It would be hard to find anyone who would say getting outdoors is bad for you. I have three books that will help you explore the greater Lake Tahoe area. On June 24 at 5pm the Truckee Library is hosting a remote presentation via Zoom about these books. Register online...
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Rare Bajoom trees stand tall in Baja desert
With more than 4,000 plant species and subspecies on the Baja peninsula, this area of the world is a botanist’s dream. Even for the casual observer, the plant life is incredible. More than 400 plants are native to this spot of Mexico. One of the more unusual...
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South Lake Tahoe lodging, campgrounds allowed to open June 12
Hotels in South Lake Tahoe that have been shuttered since mid-March because of COVID-19 will be allowed to open June 12 per a decision announced June 5 by Gov. Gavin Newsom. El Dorado County Public Health Officer Nancy Williams in a statement said, “I would be remiss...
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Fire officials worry this will be a bad season, especially with a hot summer
If predictions come true, this will be a horrible fire season. Fuel loads in some places in Nevada are at 100 to 300 percent of normal for this time of year. The Lake Tahoe Basin is in a moderate drought. The snowpack this past winter was dismal, which means the fuel...
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Natural pool in mountains near Todos Santos a slice of paradise
With every dirt road looking the same and the plant life not changing, we might as well have flipped a coin to know which way to go. Ah, but then a pink ribbon would catch our eye. Those little strands saved us. Pat had been to our destination earlier so she knew it...
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Book Review: ‘Unquenchable’ a lesson about water crisis in U.S.
Sobering and alarming are two of the words that came to mind as I kept reading “Unquenchable: America’s Water Crisis and What To Do About It” (Island Press, 2009). While I don’t know what all has happened in the world of water in the intervening 11 years, I do know it...
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Experts: 25% loss for travel industry for summer-Fall would be a good number
Tourism is likely going to be one of the last sectors to recover from the economic downturn gripping the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “A 25 percent decrease in year-over-year (numbers) is the new success benchmark for summer and fall business,” Bill...
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Two weeks ago, positive test rates in California were just over 4%. Now, the state's rate is 7%. https://trib.al/ydLBVJ0
