The Mountains Are Always Calling My Name
Lake Tahoe, I hear you
Climbing up the mountain in my little rental car with my brother, we could almost see a slice of blue. Nestled in between the Sierra Nevada mountains is the crystal clear beauty of Lake Tahoe, shimmering and inviting as we see it begin to twinkle at us.
From that first glance, I was mesmerized and hooked.
Summers at Lake Tahoe take the cake for nearby vacation spots. I have yet to find a place that is within driving distance that I love more.
Having always lived close to a beach, it’s what I don’t have in daily life that I crave. I crave that crisp mountain air that is free of smog. I crave the smell of trees and also the smell of nothing.
My brothers live in Reno, which is a close drive to Lake Tahoe. We have been visiting Lake Tahoe in the summers for many years now and this past summer was the first time we were unable to go.
Lake Tahoe is calling my name.
I want to be whisked away and I want to listen to the calling of the mountains.
If you haven’t been able to visit this majestic place, let me take you on a tour.
Nicknamed “Big Blue” and “Ocean in the Sky”, Lake Tahoe draws you in by the mountains but it’s the lake that makes you want to stay. The clear blue water that is meticulously taken care of creates an atmosphere that makes you never want to leave.
Everyone that lives in Lake Tahoe knows that it is pristine and everyone does their part to keep the integrity of the lake.
The rich pine trees and snow-capped mountains line the lake, half of which is in California and half in Nevada.
Lake Tahoe is one of the deepest freshwater lakes in the world. It’s huge! It takes a couple of hours to drive around the lake. We have done this several times, stopping at a new, unique spot each time.
The mountains are calling my name.
Back to my first glance at Lake Tahoe, I remember it was spring. I took my daughters on spring break to visit our family in Reno.
One of the days, we took a trip up to Lake Tahoe in my mini rental car that had a tough time making it up the mountain. The mountains are majestic and steep.
My camera back then didn’t take the greatest pictures but I remember the vision in my head. It was still cold up at Lake Tahoe in April but that just made it even more beautiful to see. The snow-capped mountains in the distance made for some unreal scenery.
The mountains and Lake Tahoe will always remind me of special times with my family. After all of the tumultuous years of our childhoods, we can connect here and forget about all the negativity.
From the moment I left the mountains and Lake Tahoe, it was calling my name. Each year, I feel the pull to drive up from Reno or make the drive from Southern California to Lake Tahoe, which is about an 8–9 hour drive.
There are 40 different beach spots around the lake to choose from, although some hold special places in my heart. Sand Harbor, Emerald Bay, and Kings Beach are at the top of my list. Each has different views of the mountains.
Surrounding the lake are hiking trails for days. With about 100 hiking trails to choose from, you will never get bored if you are an avid hiker. We were able to hike a few around the north Nevada side of Lake Tahoe.
The mountains are calling my name to hike.
One of my daughter’s favorite things to do in Lake Tahoe is climbing at the Treetop Adventure Park. The ropes course and zip lines make for a fun day amongst the trees and mountains if you are looking for something to do away from the lake.
Gliding through the air while smelling the pine trees is something I love, as well.
Wakeboarding, boating, waterskiing, and tubing create a beautiful experience. To be in the middle of the majestic blue lake with trees and mountains in the background is breathtaking.
Renting clear bottom kayaks for an hour or two is also a great way to see the lake and what is underneath.
Lake Tahoe is a little slice of heaven. Being there fills my soul with peace.
The mountains are calling my name.
I have yet to be there during the snowy season. I am not sure why but Lake Tahoe is calling my name this winter.
I yearn to be snowed in with a view of the lake and coffee in hand. Sounds like a fabulous place to write.
Thank you Dr. Preeti Singh for the wonderful prompt.
Check out a few stories about the mountains:
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Thanks for reading!
Much love, Michele
