Day #17 Tahoe - Oh my goodness!

Tahoe is AMAZING! And Mark Twain agrees!

Three months at Lake Tahoe, a smitten Mark Twain writes in his 1862 travelogue Roughing It, "would restore an Egyptian mummy to his pristine vigor. I do not mean the oldest and driest mummies, of course, but the fresher ones."

This "noble sheet of blue water," Twain rhapsodizes, is so clear "the boat seemed to be floating in air," and the air is "bracing and delicious … the same the angels breathe."

Our hotel, like many of the 100+ others nestled in the trees along the shores of South Lake Tahoe, has a chapel garden. So, we have wedding photos!

We have no idea who the bride and groom are and they have no idea they were being photographed by paparazzi Tom, sent on a photo shoot by the MaMa!

And look what Tom spotted in the parking lot! Yes, it is a PINK caddy - hybrid and responsible! (This one is for my daughter-in-law, Jessica!)

Wood carvers display their skills in the Ski Run Marina.

Hot air balloons, para sailing, fishing charters in a busy harbor on a gorgeous day.

After dipping my toes in the lake, Tom and I boarded the Tahoe Queen for a cruise to Emerald Bay. It is true that the water is sapphire blue. It is so clean that the bottom is still visible in water 50 feet deep. Lake Tahoe is the highest and largest and deepest alpine lake in the world. The mouth of Emerald Bay gets its name as the shallow waters coming into the bay are emerald green.

  Pictures before boarding.

Once on the top deck we were entertained by eight small ducks diving for brunch. It was like watching synchronized swimming.

Ready. Set. Go!

All gone.

Eight seconds later they start popping back up... very entertaining!

The captain sounded the horn. Flags are flying. Departure time.

The Tahoe Queen is truly powered by paddles only, one of the few!

The Wausau native indian tribe where the first inhabitants of this glorious land. This is Cave Rock, sacred to the Wausaus for marriage ceremonies and burials.

Snow still in the high peaks.

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Peaks names after an explorer's wife, for her firm and perky breasts! Men are so predictable.

An osprey nest with young ones getting ready to leave soon.

Navigating the narrow channel to entry Emerald Bay.

The only island on Lake Tahoe is in Emerald Bay.

A Tea House built for a rich man's wife on the only island. Geologists say it is not possible that the type of rocks on this island were there and have theorized that the glaciers that formed the lake were so powerful that the top of a mountain was seared off and ended up in its current location.

After the cruise and a nice lunch, we headed to town to find the gondola. I found another travel companion. I liked her hat!

Ready in #47

The Heavenly Gondola ride. Going up!

And then Lake Tahoe from a different vantage point...

Views from the top (Can you spot the Tahoe Queen going out for her second voyage of the day?)

#7 Going down!

Back at the hotel for a nap and I experimented with Photoshop. I am pleased and feeling gratified with creative opportunities!

As you can tell, I like the "Glowing Edges" feature. The one different style is a pencil sketch tool.

Buffet dinner on the 18th floor of Harrah's, just over the Nevada state line.

 

$10 apiece in the penny slots entertained us for a half hour... once we found machines near the door and away from the smoke. Nevada still allows indoor smoking. Yuck.

Tom's quote for the day... "I'll be glad when you're gone, mother, so I can rest!" 

:D