When you're an early riser, you can get a lot done! What a productive sight-seeing day.

To reach our destination, we drove a beautiful aspen-lined road up a canyon where the Virginia Lakes Basin includes eight lakes within two miles. We visited two picturesque locales.

We almost made it to 10,000 feet. It was breathtaking for more than one reason!

We continued to be delighted by the Fall colors we found along the way.


We paused for an explore of the Mono Lake Cemetery, located near the north shore of Mono Lake.  The cemetery sits above the lake over looking one of the most beautiful and unique places in the Eastern Sierra.
Photo ops were had at historic Silver Lake Resort (1916), the first private resort known then as Carson's Camp.
Interestingly, film director Frank Capra and cartoonist Walter Lantz also had cabins at Silver Lake, and their families continue to visit.

Wanting to experience the Fall Colors, we hit the road at 6 AM for a sight sensation adventure.

This road, paralleling the Eastern Sierras, has been my favorite since we began traveling to Tahoe (first time in 1986). It is an artist's vibrant palette.
Upon our first Fall foliage sighting, I had to do a little dance of joy. Steve happened to capture it through the windshield.
The Eastern Sierra's varied elevations- from 5,000- 10,000 feet- mean the trees peak in color at different times. We were gleefully on a treasure hunt.
Our first detour was to Lundy Canyon.
Lundy Canyon packs an amazing amount of spectacular scenery into a short trip into the heart of the High Sierra’s Hoover Wilderness. Along the way, one encounters enormous beaver ponds, beautiful waterfalls, abundant meadows and, soaring cliffs.
Bob and Jenny did this journey last year, so they were our expert tour guides.

Onward to Parker Lake. There was something magical about a photo excursion into a place named the Ansel Adams Wilderness. Our breathtaking path, along Parker Creek, had the forest quickly become lush and verdant.

After a two mile hike, our destination was the beautiful subalpine Parker Lake, framed by the Sierras. 

We continued onto June Lake Loop where we didn't travel far before pulling alongside the road. It was quite humorous to see us pile into the car, only to drive a few feet, not realizing there was going to be another scenic need to pause.



Our accommodations for the evening were at the wonderfully located Virginia Creek Settlement. There was something very appealing about sleeping in a covered wagon (#7). Rustic and romantic... it fit our needs to a tee.

The Virginia Creek Settlement is nestled in the natural beauty of the eastern slopes of the High Sierra within easy driving distance to Bodie Ghost Town, Mono Lake, Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, June Lake and Mammoth Lakes. Stop by on your way to Carson City, Virginia City, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. The resort is centrally located to some of the best fishing in the eastern slopes of the High Sierra.

Day #1 was one of natural beauty, fun times with friends and unique sights we had never seen. Tomorrow holds the promise of even more amazement.

Steve brought our travel trailer home because we were going to camp in Death Valley this week. But alas, there were a series of flash floods recently that have derailed our desert plans.

Wanting to still have an RV experience, Jan and Chris came over for dinner and gaming in our little dinette. "Home is where you park it!"

Bob & Jenny wanted to have one last ride upon the waters of Lake Tahoe before they have to get their boat into storage for winter. How totally awesome that we were included in their exceptional plans.

There was a peacefulness uncommon in Emerald Bay. We were the only boat there for a great amount of our stay. And it was beautiful.



After our delectable barbecue, we strolled the shore and hiked to the Falls.
New discoveries were made.
And birds were spotted.
The autumn colors were a spectacular reminder that the seasons are changing yet being on the Lake made us savor our sweet summer memories just a little while longer.

Wanting to celebrate my other friend Karen's birthday in a unique way, I brought her to Reno for lunch, a brief explore and a visit to the Tahoe exhibit.

The city of Reno holds treasures if one only hunts for them.

I was here just ten days ago, but TAHOE: A Visual History demands multiple viewings.

The Nevada Museum of Art has organized the first major art historical survey exhibition of painting, Native baskets, photography, architecture, and contemporary art dedicated to Lake Tahoe, Donner Pass, and the surrounding Sierra Nevada region.
This is one of my favorite pieces. Around the Vast Blue, created by Richard Crotty for this exhibit, is 60" in diameter, made with pencil, ink, acrylic and gouache on paper on a fiberglass sphere. The artist was commissioned to produce one of his signature “sphere” artworks about Lake Tahoe. Crotty stayed at Glenbrook and sailed out onto Lake Tahoe in order to make preparatory drawings akin to traditional coastal profiles used in exploration art. He then made test spheres to test the horizon line of the Tahoe Basin and major features. Much of the final topography was made by lettering quotes in pencil on the painted sphere from Mark Twain’s account of being at Tahoe in Roughing It. So much more than what meets the eye... and definitively worth another visit.

We were made aware of the Grand Opening of this gastronomic delight by our most favorite musical duo, Ike & Martin.

The Pink House is a new gourmet cheese and charcuterie shop that offers a delectable selection of top quality products, and a menu of sandwiches, salads, cheese plates, and other light fare. I am pictured in front of this darling home with the shop owner, Lois, and Kim Copél as Lillian Virgin Finnegan, the daughter of Judge Daniel Webster Virgin who built this home in 1855.
We began our afternoon with a tour of the lovingly restored home.
Yes, that's Ike and Martin in the courtyard singing. We would never have heard of this event without their Minion Mail (fan newsletter).



We were impressed with the setting and the selection. You have to love a sandwich entitled The Cheesemonger's Grilled Cheese. That is so me.
The staff was young, enthusiastic and very friendly. I love great customer service and we totally had that at The Pink House.




We loved the picturesque setting- old & new melding together in a wonderful environment. I don't know if Lois has it planned but we envisioned weddings in this courtyard.
I love a ribbon cutting. What I felt here was hopefulness. This is a great place... something that Genoa really needed and a place I would return to. It felt like quality and we thoroughly delighted in it all.

The website states, "The town of Genoa and The Pink House stand as important landmarks of Northern Nevada, and provide an idyllic and welcoming setting for our new business." I believe that really sums the evening up... Welcoming.