Kayak in Truckee

Posted on July 20, 2011 by admin

Kayaking is a really fun activity.  We recently went to Prosser Lake, a lake in Truckee that does not allow motorized boats, for some kayaking.

As I write this, the lake is unusually full and you won’t find a lot of places to comfortably hang out by the lake near the boat ramps, but if you venture to other parts of the lake, you can set up an area there.

Prosser Lake is dirt, so don’t go expecting any sand.  The lake is rocky, necessitating water shoes if you are going to walk around.

The perfect reasons to go to Prosser Lake are:

  • To find and use the rope swing
  • To go kayaking
  • To go fishing
  • To go paddle boarding
  • To sit by a peaceful lake and play in the water
  • To hike around and explore nature

It is not a place to go if you don’t like to get dirty …

Have Fun!

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A Movie Theater in Northstar

Posted on July 15, 2011 by admin

I recently learned that The Village at Northstar opened a two screen movie theater and went to check it out.  We had a blast!

By the way, The Village at Northstar is about 15 minutes from downtown Truckee.  In the off season, there is parking near the village and it is easy to drive.  During holiday weekends and ski season, it gets really busy and you often have to be bused into the village.

The theater is small and has an exclusive screening feel to it.  Because of the size, my guess is that it will sell out on busy holiday weekends but normally, the Village at Northstar is not crowded.

We saw a 4:30pm showing on Cars 2 and then the kids played in the sandbox that sits in front of one of their kids stores.  It was pretty quiet there, normal for off season, so the kids had free reign of the area.  The village itself is beautiful and definatley feels like you are on a vacation.

We ate dinner at the Pizza place there, although I would have gone for Sushi at Mikuni’s if I was in charge.  I like the pizza place.  My one complaint is that they don’t have any crayons or activities for kids, so you will want to bring some things for them to do while you wait for your food.

Another friend of mine recently went there on a date with her husband and had a great time with Sushi and a movie.  They topped the night off by stopping at Moody’s back in town for a bottle of champagne and some desserts.

 

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The Farmers Market

Posted on July 12, 2011 by admin

One of the best things about summer in Truckee is the farmers market.  This market brings fresh, locally grown fruit and veges from the valley into Truckee, CA.  It happens every Tuesday morning at Regional Park and you will want to get there before 9:30am for the best pick of the produce (and parking).

But this Truckee farmers market isn’t only fruits and veges, our favorite Indian Food vendor gives us fresh Naan, Samosas and amazing dips.  There is a free-range, organic meat company, freshly made olive oils, local cheeses and more.

This is a must for your dinner table in Truckee.  If you are visiting, experience fresh local strawberries, heirloom tomatoes, organic just picked lettuce and kale and more – it will leave you wanting to find the local fresh farmer’s markets in your area!

Truckee Farmer’s Market Schedule and Information Link

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Hiking the O6 in Truckee

Posted on July 10, 2011 by admin

There is this great hike that follows the ridge of 89 towards Tahoe City called the “OH 6.”  I guess the official title for the trail is “Sawtooth Trail”  It is known locally as the O6 because it is off the forest service 06 road.  The trail is a very popular mountain biking trail, which my husband and friends ride frequently, but it is also a great hiking trail for families.

To get there you have to go through Ponderosa Palisades and unfortunately, I am more of a visual person, so exact directions are lost on me.  However, directions and more information are available here on Truckee Trails web site.

What I like about this trail is that it has lots of interesting things to do and see along the trail, so the kids don’t get bored.  There are big granite bolders to climb on, fallen trees and logs to investigate and an amazing view as you wind near the cliff that looks out onto the Sierras, the Truckee River and the 89 gorge that takes you from Truckee to Tahoe City.

This is a hike late in the afternoon or early in the day.

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Truckee Thursday Tips

Posted on July 7, 2011 by admin

Truckee Thursdays has become a very popular activity for visitors and locals in the summer.  Basically, Truckee Thursdays is a street fair in downtown Truckee, where local businesses and vendors bring their goods for sale.

There is a mini farmer’s market, great food like these peanut butter, bacon, hamburger and hot sauce sliders that I can’t accurately describe, but they are really good.  Full Beli Deli also brings their famous tri-tip sandwiches.  My mom is partial to the Crepe truck and my daughters like hot dogs and fresh squeezed lemonade.

Every Thursday there is a different band playing with music and drinks available in a blocked off area.  When they 1st started, the road was not blocked off, but now that the event has grown in popularity, they block the entire downtown street off to cars and offer free parking (usually downtown is metered parking only) starting at 4pm on Thursdays.

The event starts at 4:00pm, but at that point in the day, they are still setting up.  Still, we don’t like the event when it gets too crowded, especially the bouncy house and face painting lines, so we tend to go right a 4:00pm and walk through the shops as they finish setting up.

Then, we grab food and walk around.  By the time 6 or 6:30pm rolls around (and the event goes on until 9:00pm).  It is crowded and time for us to go!

Oh, and P.S. best Strudel made by the Strudel Guy – make sure you pick some up as you leave.  It makes an excellent evening dessert.

If you are in Truckee for the summer or visiting from mid June – August, make sure you try a Truckee Thursdays!

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4th of July in Truckee

Posted on July 5, 2011 by admin


Truckee has become a 4th of July tradition for me and my family.  It can be really crowded (well actually, it just plain is really crowded) so we don’t do the normal activities, but have our own 4th of July traditions here in this mountain town.  One of them is the 4th of July Parade that follows Donner Pass Road at 10:00am on 4th of July.

If you are going to be here for 4th of July, you should go to the Truckee 4th of July Parade.  The parade is your typical small town parade full of floats, cars and people.  It isn’t the Rose Parade but if you come to the parade knowing that it is about the experience, then you will have a great time.

Here are some tips:

1.  The parade starts at 10am, but you need to be there by 9am or you won’t have a spot – or even be able to find parking.

2.  There is a pancake breakfast put on by the Fire Department, come even earlier if you want to enjoy that event!

3.  The parade is not well timed and tends to spread out as they move from the high school area of Donner Pass Road to the end of old downtown Truckee. Because of this, you will be happiest watching the parade at the beginning, unless you plan on hanging out downtown for quite a while.  My experience has been that it can take an hour longer if you are near the end of the parade route.

4.  Use the restrooms before you leave for the parade.

5.  Bring chairs, sunscreen and some sun shade.  You may also want to bring water and snacks.

6.  The parade throws out candy, so your kids will want a bag (it isn’t a lot of candy)

7.  The parade regularly sprays people with water, FYI.

8.  Know that you are going into mayhem and just go with it.

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Weekends in Tahoe City

Posted on July 5, 2011 by admin

Tahoe City is about 15 – 20 minutes from Truckee, CA and sits right on Lake Tahoe.  I love to drive over to “the lake” because Lake Tahoe is so beautiful and the entire north side of the Lake (the north side is mostly in California and does not have any casinos or gambling) feels like you are in a childhood camp.

Last Sunday, I took my kids and friends over to Commons Beach in Tahoe City.  Commons Beach sits directly across from the main strip of Tahoe City, and let me just say that there is only one road that goes around the lake, so you can’t really miss it.

We stopped at the Fat Cat Cafe to grab a few sandwiches for the beach and also picked up a few beach toys next door.  Then we parked by the beach, had lunch next to Lake Tahoe, the kids played in the partially shaded, super fun park and then we strolled down to the beach.

The lake is full and the kids ended up swimming in their clothes.  I am always surprised at how kids tolerate cold water!  But, it was so nice out that when you got out of the water, you weren’t too cold.

There was live music at the beach and the atmosphere was of a casual, family friendly day in the mountains.

When the kids were done at the lake, we walked over to Cobblestone, a small shopping center across the street, where the girls picked out new dresses from an adorable kids clothing shop (the name is escaping me) and some bath bubbles at Lather and Fizz, our favorite bath store.  My mom also bought some Bedhead Pajamas at Lather & Fizz.

When you are in Truckee on vacation, I highly recommend planning a day to visit Tahoe City on Lake Tahoe!

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Paddle Boarding on Donner Lake

Posted on July 3, 2011 by admin

My friend bought a paddle board and we spent the afternoon in Donner State Park paddle boarding.  The water was frigid but not too bad and it was just beautiful.

If you go in the early evening, the lake is usually calm and most people are off having dinner or back at their camp sites, so you get that corner of the lake all to yourself.

We saw fish and beavers in the less populated areas of the lake.

The paddle board was easy to get in and out of the water and a nice smooth ride.  My friend had purchased the board from a local distributor and said it is a lot easier than the ones you rent because the construction is sturdier.

Paddle boarding is a new favorite activity.  It works your core while you practice your balance.  I want a paddle board now!

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Catfishing in Tahoe

Posted on July 3, 2011 by admin

Catfishing

Truckee is known for its fly fishing and trout fishing but there are a few places where you might catch a catfish.

The types of fish you will find in the Truckee Tahoe rivers and lakes include Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Mackinaw Trout, Kokanee Salmon and in a few areas Catfish and Bass.

If you are looking to go Catfishing in Ponds, you may want to try and locate “Chinese Catfish Pond”, which is near Donner Pass on the summit of the Sierras.  You have to pass this area to go into Sacramento, where you can find plenty of local catfishing spots, but I found it kind of interesting that you could also find catfishing in ponds in the Sierras.

The catfish were planted in this pond during the transcontinental railroad construction as a fresh food option and they can still be found there today.

The pond is like folklore and some don’t believe it is real, so this might be an adventure for you during your Truckee Visit …”To Find Chinese Catfish Pond”

Here are your instructions:

Drive west from Truckee onto Donner Pass Road and then follow that road up old Highway 40

Go over Rainbow Bridge near the top of the summit.  As you reach the top, the trailhead is across the street from the “Alpine Skills International Mountaineering School”

Follow the trail north-northeast for about 1/2 mile.  You will see Lake Angela off in the distance to your west.

Next you cross a little ridge and descend into a small valley. Now look to the northeast for a large, dead, pine tree with no bark. The catfish pond is located on a small plateau about 70 yards to the north of this tree. If you don’t find it immediately, a bit of reconnaissance will get you to it.

Good luck on your catfishing adventure!

 

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Funny Running Story

Posted on July 3, 2011 by admin

In Truckee, there are lots of dogs and visitors to the area like to leave their dogs off leash and let them run around because they are in the wilderness.  It bothers some people but it doesn’t bother me.  Dogs tend to like me (the nice ones).

So, I am running yesterday in Tahoe Donner.  It is a beautiful morning and I am on Ski Slope.  Early in the run, a young black lab decide to join me.  He was running in and out of driveways and chasing squirrels – generally have a great time.  I was slightly concerned because people drive really fast on that road but he seemed to stay with me.

What was funny about the run is all the drivers who were giving me dirty looks because “my” dog was off leash.  I even had a few people point at the dog as they drove by.  It was interesting since it wasn’t my dog but I just went with it and said “SORRY.”

What is my point?  Well, I am not really sure.  I don’t know how I felt about the experience – part amusement, part concern, part interest.  Here are some thoughts:

When others don’t follow the rules of society, sometimes the innocent get blamed.

Even though you want your dogs to have freedom, and so do I, be really careful in areas with cars.

Let me give you a good dog tip for Truckee:

There are areas where you will rarely see people – hikes that take you out of the general population.  So you may want to save the off leash walks for those areas without cars.

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