At home in Al Tahoe:  Historic Retreats at the Lake  
AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research.  The SLT Branch uses the proceeds of this biennial home tour to support the education of local women.

Steve and I have explored this pioneer settlement on the south shore of Lake Tahoe many times, always hoping for a peek inside the amazing cabins we admired along our trek.  Today, we finally had our wishes granted with the tour of eight spectacular and historic homes.

As an AAUW member, I had the honor of being the hostess in Ken and Sue's early 1940's cabin, along with Barb and Patty (Sue is the gal on my right).

Sue was so sweet.  She had coffee and chocolate for all who came and being that this was cabin #6 and the day had a chill to it, her hospitality was very welcomed.

Even Steve took her up on her offer of coffee on the porch swing.

Part of the fun of being on the tour is learning the stories the homes are harboring.  This 3' long hanging trout, at Sue and Ken's, showed up two years after they moved in.  The cabin is on Trout Creek Avenue and the previous owners always thought the porch needed a trout.  When they found one in San Francisco, the bought it and gave it as a gift.  Sweet!

Another home on the tour had an incredibly interesting collection of signs.

While the interiors of the cabins were the highlight of the tour, this home's yard was so welcoming.  We sat and lingered here, regrouping.

I can almost hear the laughter and stories being told at this table under the pines.

There were so many fantastic elements of this extremely successful day:  the quality of people who took the tour with their compliments and "Wows"; the AAUW members who manned the homes with knowledge and a welcoming spirit; and the selfless homeowners who allowed us to explore their spectacular cabins.  The day concluded at Picchetti Winery for a fabulous feast and a great deal of "What a great event!"