The Genoa Cowboy Festival is a wonderful blend of beautiful setting, entertainment, heritage and Western culture. Nestled at the base of the Sierra Nevada in the beautiful Carson Valley, historic Genoa is the site of the first ranch in Nevada and still has working cattle ranches literally steps from the town. From its 19th century beginnings, cowboys and ranching have shared work, words and music here. You’d be hard pressed to find a better place to celebrate the unique forms of Cowboy Poetry, Western music and the Western lifestyle.

Jenny and I looked at the schedule of events and thought today was the perfect day to attend.  One presentation we found very interesting, was hearing Peter Ford share the story of his father, Glenn Ford's, incredible life in and out of the movies.

Sometimes, stating the obvious makes me laugh.  I'm easily amused.

There were many photo opportunities.  I was a happy tourist!

I think the most mesmerizing performance I saw was Women of the Wild West: Julia Bullette and Eilley Bowers, as portrayed by Kim Copél and Lisa Bommarito.  These were two very different, and successful, women of 1860's Virginia City.  Julia was a prostitute and Eilley was, in her time, one of the richest women in the United States.  Both ladies did a fabulous job being their characters, so much so I was crying at one point.

Lunch was in the perfect picnic spot, Mormon Station State Park, while a concert occurred next to us.

After fueling up, we strolled the streets of Genoa on a Ghost Tour with Kim Copél.  She wears many hats, in this town, and is an exceptional storyteller.

To me, no trip to Genoa is complete without saddling up to the bar at Nevada's oldest Thirst Parlor.. THE GENOA BAR AND SALOON has been able to minimize the impact of contemporary society on its gracious old structure. This faithfulness to its original purpose and design has made it a favorite location for artists, actors and directors trying to capture the spirit and to tell the story of the American west.

There have been some pretty impressive drinkers who came here before us:   Mark Twain, Ulysses S. Grant, Teddy Roosevelt, Clark Gable, Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Raquel Welch, to name just a few.  It was the perfect last stop before we rode off into the sunset.  Yee-haw!

KRLT 93-9 The Lake is our local radio station and Howie Nave is the very funny morning DJ.  When we 'mixed' at the last Chamber Mixer, he invited me onto his show to promote the Friends of the Library Programs.

Needless-to-say, I was pretty nervous and didn't express all I wanted to, and probably more than I should have, but it was a wonderful opportunity.  The video above shows it all.
The list of "Why Tahoe" continues to grow.  Man, I love it here!

The second presentation, in the Friends of the Library Program Series, had everyone exclaiming, "I learned so much".  “The Humane Movement: Past, Present, and Future” presented by the Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A. was a visual history of the humane movement, while sharing how a local humane society reaches every member of the community.

 

Dawn shared the compelling history of the ASPCA and the American Humane Society while Liz told about Outreach and Education the Lake Tahoe Humane Society proudly provides for our community.  We were all thoroughly informed and impressed.

It has been an interesting eight days, hence the quietness here!  Steve was in Temecula on business and while there, his mom had some medical issues that would be keeping him even longer.  Since I was missing him so and wanting to help, I headed south.

When Ivan's graduation concluded at 3:30 PM, I headed down I-5, for the 460 mile drive from Sacramento.  This was the longest drive I had done, not only alone but at night!  Thank goodness for 80's music.

In the midst of everything else that was happening,  the folks are moving out of their home of 17 years.  One of the objectives was to sell the equipment that will no longer be needed at the new place.  As one who is a firm believer in the proverb, "All work and no play..." I enjoyed driving this toy.

In addition to packing (and all that is involved with that endeavor), we visited the folks' new neighborhood and had lunch at the Clubhouse.

This visit provided a great deal of opportunities to say goodbye to the house we have all loved.  For almost two decades, this was the family focal point.  And while the new place will be exceptional, a last visit was needed.  Our nephews, Joel and Ian, came for dinner which was an added bonus to being in Temecula.

World Book Night U.S. is a celebration of books and reading, when 25,000 passionate volunteers across America give a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don’t regularly read.

Lynne, an incredible volunteer, submitted an application for our group to be 'givers'.  This is especially important here because we do not have a bookstore and weather can isolate.  We were all gleeful when our application was accepted.

Book readers are more likely to participate in positive activities such as volunteering, attending cultural events, and even physical exercise.  This awesome group of 'Friends' is proof of that!  There will be a lot more people huddling under their covers with a good book tonight, thanks to Lynne, our volunteers and the World Book Night organization!

There was a reason for my trip to Sacramento.  Ivan is Leslie's son and I have known him longer than he has been walking so to see him 'walk' for his degree was an incredible opportunity.

We were an enthusiastic and proud group consisting of me, Andrew (uncle), Barbara (grandma), Leslie (mom), Ivan, Heather (cousin) and Carol (lifelong friend).

This breakfast spot could be called the 'anti-vegan' restaurant...an authentic, vintage Burger Joint.

"A real treasure of Americana", this "tiny art deco–era" diner continues to serve Downtowners ...  A staple since 1934!

This is an order of the 'mini' pancakes.  We shared this between the seven of us.  It was exceptional (especially since it was fried in bacon grease on the only grill).

Sitting in one of the only ten counter seats in Jim-Denny's took us back to a simplier time.  I loved the experience and it was a unique dining event.  Great start to the day!

After a busy day of Science, I headed to our State's Capitol for a reunion with my college friend, Leslie.  Dinner was outdoors in 80°+ temperatures.

The Plum Cafe and Bakery is Sacramento's premier vegan restaurant with two beautiful, large patios for outdoor dining. The Plum serves home-style comfort food with ethnic influences.  I had the best 'Midtown Club', with fake bacon, that I have ever eaten.  I would come to Sacramento just to eat here.

After an evening stroll, we ended the night in our pajamas, playing Scrabble in our hotel room.  What a diverse and interesting day.

I spent my day with 6th- 12th grade girls at our community college.  I walked away having learned a great deal as well.

Girls attended unique hands-on workshops which were led by professional women who were excited about sharing their science, technology, engineering and math careers with participants!

The girls studied everything from biology, chemistry, forensics, and math, to zoology!

I attended every workshop and saw how engaged and eager the girls were to learn.  It was a day of scientific and self discovery.  It made me want to study the sciences and I never thought I would!  What a great experience for all us girls.

With their community mindedness, the owners invited all of Tahoe to join in the festivities!  It was a night of music, friendship, and great food.

There are only a handful of South Lake Tahoe restaurants that have lasted a decade.  Jeff and Rosie are so personable and they have hired exceptional employees.  Their success is not a surprise and their restaurant is loved by many.

Being there tonight was like being a part of a family reunion.  Here's to continued success and delicious mealtime memories!

Gone are the heady days of Casinos and huge profits.  Today's Tahoe is one that needs tourism and after tonight's Forum, the 'powers that be' are looking forward.

Caroline Beteta, CEO of Visit California and chairwoman of Brand USA brought, with her, some staggering statistics and a whole lot of hope.  The biggest surprise was the emphasis on the Chinese tourist (highest per capita spenders).  Wish I knew Mandarin!

Denise Pirrotti Hummell, CEO and founder of Universal Consensus calls herself a "cross culturist" and had some practical solutions, stern warnings and hopefulness for Tahoe.

After the seriousness came the BAHM (Business After Hours Mixer).  Again, every event I've attended, through the Chamber, has been fabulous.

Harrah's hospitality shone brightly tonight.

I was asked to take some photos, and while I have no idea who these people are, you have to love their festiveness!  Ole!