road trip

July 11, 05
Hwy 50 towards Tahoe
warm clear day
little road trip to Tahoe



Along Hwy 50 - South Fork American River
Driving with the kids, need to take a break. Having fun and stopping to see a little along the way. Found a tiny steep trail on the pull-out and the kids insist we go down and check it out - I only take the camera, as I'm not too sure I can manage the trail with my pack, too - only shot I made at river's side pulls badly back up at the car so I take another shot from the pull out.


view from road

overlook closer to Tahoe - looking up & looking out

Farther along the road opens up to our first view of Tahoe as well as great views of other mountains - I'm sure they all have names but I haven't a clue. The pull-out is meant to take advantage ofthe view out but I enjoy the view looking up as well.

We stop to have lunch at the airport with Scott, then continue on to a drive toward the lake while Scott has to work. So many vistas catch my eye it's hard not to stop at every one of them but the kids would rebel.



We agree to stop at a pull-out for a quick photo then continue on to the Emerald Bay vista point known as Inspiration Point where we get our first peek of Fannete Island.



The plan is to get ourselves down to the water of Emerald Bay, but after struggling to find a parking spot we begin to think of alternate plans. We do find the top of Eagle Falls to be quite accesible and then hike around to another vista of the bay and after much climbing over giant granite rocks we also find a lovely view of the falls.



We do notice that the altitude makes us feel more winded than we would normally with all the climbing and hiking over rocks and up and down steep inclines. Finally we've had enough of hot hiking, we pile back into the car and head for Pope Beach, which we had passed on our way north.


The beach is warm, but not hot, coarse golden sand with gently lapping waves to serenade us as the sun begins to get lower. The water is completely clear, cold but not too cold to enjoy. The slightest breeze caresses our skin - a lovely summer evening on the lake.