Our friends are here from Idaho and today was our day to play in Tahoe together.

Barb wanted to take us on a trail we haven't explored before so off we headed to DL Bliss State Park and its Lighthouse Trail.

In 1916, the US Congress approved funds to create lamps along Lake Tahoe. Construction of the Rubicon Point Lighthouse took place in 1919. It was originally one of four lighthouses and was built for around $900. In 1921, a new lighthouse was constructed in Sugar Point State Park and this one was abandoned. Interestingly, the Rubicon Point Lighthouse was acetylene-powered. Two 300-gallon tanks of the fuel would be brought to Emerald Point every day and then taken up by mule or wagon. Maintaining the lighthouse was expensive, and this appears to be the reason why it was abandoned fairly quickly. Over the years it has deteriorated to the point that many people mistake it for an outhouse, sadly. It does have a very special distinction. Rubicon Point's Lighthouse has the highest elevation of any lighthouse on a navigable body of water in the world. It stands 6,300 feet above sea level, at a point where it could be seen from most places around the lake. I am so glad we finally hiked to see this unique piece of Lake Tahoe history.
The vistas were stunning.

Before heading home we had to get our feet into the lake. A must... always!
We ended our day having dinner at their site in Campground by the Lake. The idyllic setting for an evening with friends.