Yay! We finally got our first storm in Reno and our daughter got to see her first snow flakes ever! It was so exciting — she couldn’t stop smiling. She had her big mouth open trying to eat the snow flakes – in case you didn’t know, everything revolves around the mouth in a 5-month-old baby!

Here’s a picture of us hiking in Galena Forest, can you believe this is just a few min from our house? This place is like heaven, I just can’t get enough of it.

On another note, our Christmas won’t be a white one this year - we are leaving to Argentina tomorrow to spend the Holidays with my family. So enjoy the slopes for me — and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Wow, it’s finally getting cold. I can’t believe we had such a long and wonderful fall this year. Of course we loved it — because with a new baby we’ve been able to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about her being too cold. Although I have to say that tele girl is ready for some turns!

Last weekend after enjoying a fun Thanksgiving day with our family, we hiked Hunter Creek. It was beautiful and we were excited to see some snow on the ground… yes, winter is almost here!

The weekend before last we hiked our favorite trail in Galena Forest - the Mt Rose Wildeness trail from Whites Creek - here’s a picture of our family and our friend Dana: 

Every year I love going to Galena Forest and enjoying the beautiful colors of autumn. So on Sunday my hubby and I decided to take our two-and-a-half-month old baby girl for a hike to White’s Creek-Jone’s Creek trail (if you’ve never done this loop, this is the time to check it out! Click here for more info about it). Our baby loved it! She was so amazed at the quaking aspen and the sound of the creek. With a little bit of wind, the leaves were falling like rain. She was just too excited!

Daddy - are we ready?

Time for a family photo!

Mom and baby Cielo enjoying the beautiful colors

Statue of Comstock Mining Millionaire John Mackay stands guard over the University of Nevada, Reno campusOn a recent weekend, I found myself wandering around the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, located directly north of downtown Reno’s casino core.At this time of year, the setting is picturesque with the sun high overhead, the air carrying a hint of fall and some of the trees were starting to lose their leaves. n other words, a great place to take a break from the bright casino lights.UNR looks like a college campus should with its lush lawn and ivy-covered brick buildings. Much of the credit for UNR’s classic look goes to the heirs of Comstock silver baron John Mackay. In the early part of the 20th century, the Mackay family donated more than $1.5 million to establish the Mackay School of Mining and develop a campus plan.Noted 19th century New York architect Stanford White’s firm was hired to create the Quad (short for quadrangle, which is the large rectangular open area in the center of the campus) and the mining school. White also designed the original Madison Square Garden in New York.The firm based look of the elm-lined Quad on Thomas Jefferson’s design of the University of Virginia Lawn, which is also an open expanse of grass lined with trees that serves as the heart of that university.Most of UNR’s most historic and picturesque buildings surround the Quad. In fact, that part of the campus has been designated as a National Historic District.At the north end of the Quad is one of the campus’ most impressive structures, the Mackay School of Mines Building, erected in 1908, and commissioned by Clarence Mackay, John’s son.The mining school is an attractive, two-story, brick and stone structure that houses the DeLaMare Library, one of the world’s largest collections of mining books, and the W.M. Keck Museum, which has more than 6,000 mineral samples and fossils.Additionally, there is a display of the Mackay Silver Collection, designed in 1876 by the famed Tiffany’s jewelers of New York. The full collection includes 1,350 pieces crafted by 200 silversmiths over a two-year period, using 14,718 ounces of Comstock silver.In front of the school is a bronze statue of John Mackay that is noteworthy because it was created by sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who later carved Mount Rushmore.At the opposite end of the Quad is Morrill Hall, the first building erected on the Reno campus after the state relocated the university to Reno from Elko. Constructed in 1885, the four-story brick structure originally housed the entire university offices and classrooms.Of course, the best thing about the campus is just sitting on the lawn, soaking in all the history and ambience. And if you bring along a picnic lunch, life doesn’t get much better than this.—–Richard Moreno

Sand MountainRipping across Sand Mountain on an ATVPerhaps the best way to look at Sand Mountain is as a giant sand box–and you get to play there.Located about 90 miles east of Reno via U.S. 50, Sand Mountain is a massive sand dune that rises about 600 feet above the surrounding desert floor.The dune was formed from sand from the surrounding flats, which were once part of an ancient inland sea called Lake Lahontan. About 4,000 years ago, the lake dried up, leaving behind the sandy lake bottom.Over centuries, the dried sand was blown against nearby Stillwater Range, accumulating into a huge mound.In other words, Sand Mountain is a great, big beach without an ocean.Not surprisingly, the mountain and surrounding area has become a recreational playland, which is why we decided to head out to the big dune last weekend.After heading east of Fallon for about 30 miles, we spotted the big beige mound. We could see that the mountain was dotted with off-roaders on sand bikes, dune buggies and ATVs. They raced up the steep slopes of the mountain, sometimes appearing to be nearly vertical as they rapidly climb above the valley floor.As they neared the crest of the mountain, a few proved to be not quite powerful enough. They lost momentum and began to slide backward. Others, however, flew over the narrow ridge at the top of the mountain and descended down the backside.We also spotted a few folks who were sandboarding. This is a sport that involves riding down the dune’s slopes on a smooth-bottomed sandboard at very high speeds–kind of like snowboarding on sand.Since we didn’t have a sandboard, we had fun climbing to the top to enjoy the view. Sand Mountain has a unique physical property. It produces a booming sound when you walk on it (the sound is said to be a result of air being pushed through the sand by your weight) and at night when the wind blows across the sand the mountain is said to be singing.The Sand Mountain Recreation Area encompasses 4,795 acres and is managed by the U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, which charges use fees.Camping, including in RVs, is allowed in a designated area near the base of the mountain. Services are quite limited although there is a vault toilet and a solar-powered pay telephone near the highway (it’s known as “the Loneliest Phone on the Loneliest Road”).Visitors should bring their own water for washing and drinking. While fires are allowed, no wood is available.For more information about Sand Mountain contact the Bureau of Land Management, Carson City District Office, 1535 Hot Springs Road, Suite 300, Carson City, NV 89706-0638, 775-885-6000.—-Richard Moreno

Balancing Rock Nature Trail

Balancing Rock

Winter is just around the corner, so we decided to head to Lake Tahoe last weekend to take advantage of the still-warm temperatures. We’d never visited D.L. Bliss State Park on the California side of the lake, so we journeyed there.

Bliss State Park is named for Duane LeRoy Bliss, one of the 19th century lumber barons that nearly chopped down every tree at Lake Tahoe. Fortunately, they grew back.

At one time, Bliss owned nearly 75 percent of Tahoe’s shoreline as well as the local steamboat line, the train system, and a variety of other businesses. In the 1930s, his family donated about 800 acres of lakefront property to the state of California for a park.

The result is a fine park that boasts several miles of pristine lakeside property including two white-sand beaches. At the north end of the park is Rubicon Point, which is adjacent to one of the deepest parts of Lake Tahoe.

We paid our $6 fee to spend the day at the park, then drove down to one of the beaches. The water was surprisingly warm (Tahoe is usually one of the coldest lakes around), so my daughter got in some splashing around time.

Part of the reason we wanted to visit Bliss was that we had heard about some giant rock that sat atop another rock, which was known as Balancing Rock. We asked the park ranger where it was located and she guided us to the Balancing Rock Nature Trail.

A brochure at the trailhead noted that the walk was a little under a half-mile. Markers that corresponded to numbers in the brochure indicated the flora, fauna and geology of the area.

Reading the brochure, we discovered that we were walking in a shallow granitic soil and that the vegetation along the way includes Huckleberry oak shrubs as well as white, red and yellow fir trees.

We meandered on the dirt trail for less than a quarter mile before finally seeing Balancing Rock. It was impressive. A massive, nose-shaped rock weighing some 130 tons was perched or balanced above a second boulder. A thin membrane of stone connects the two giant rocks.

The brochure pointed out that, “the precarious remnant will certainly fall when enough material has eroded away to break the equilibrium between the two pedestals.” We hoped it wouldn’t be while we were walking around it.

For more information about D.L. Bliss State Park, contact the California State Parks, 530-525-7277.—Richard Moreno

The M.S. Dixie beckons.

It’s hard to find a better view of Lake Tahoe than the one you can get from the decks of the M.S. Dixie II paddlewheeler.

In fact, the M.S. Dixie II is perhaps the best place to enjoy the panoramic views of a place that writer Mark Twain once described as “the fairest picture the whole earth affords.”

The Dixie II cruise starts out from a dock at the Zephyr Cove Marina, which is located about 20 miles west of Carson City via U.S. 50.

As passengers stroll down the long, wooden dock that leads to the paddlewheeler, there is an air of anticipation, which only seems to intensify after having a photo snapped (souvenir shots can be purchased) and being led across the gangplank and onto the ship.

Once on the Dixie II, you can either choose a seat inside of an enclosed, climate-controlled deck or the open air upper decks. Within a few minutes, the engines begin to throb and the big craft pulls out into the clear waters of the lake. An informative narration begins that describes the history and geology of Lake Tahoe.

The M.S. Dixie II is a relatively new paddlewheeler, having gone into operation in 1994. It replaced the original M.S. Dixie, which was a smaller, older paddlewheeler that had operated on Lake Tahoe from 1972 to 1994.

The new stern-wheeler, which has three decks and is 151-feet long, can accommodate more than 500 passengers.

From Zephyr Cove, the ship glides across Lake Tahoe, offering marvelous views of the surrounding peaks, including Mt. Tallac (the tallest mountain directly west of Lake Tahoe). It’s a peaceful journey.

About 45-minutes into the trip, the boat enters Emerald Bay, which is the most photographed spot on Lake Tahoe. The sheltered bay is beautiful on the day of our journey. Surrounded by steep mountains covered with tall pines, it is a perfect scene.

At the western edge of the bay is Vikingsholm, a castle-like mansion constructed in the 1930s, which is now a California state park.

In the middle of the bay is Fannette Island, which is topped by a quaint, small stone teahouse, visible from the boat. The Dixie II lazily circles Emerald Bay before heading back out into the lake for the return voyage to Zephyr Cove.

For more information contact M.S. Dixie II, 800-238-2463.—-Richard Moreno

Views of Emerald Bay

The hike to Vikingsholm

We saw magnificent mountain scenery from the trail

Lora Knight’s masterpiece

Vikingsholm easily could have been named Asgard, legendary home of the Viking gods. Nestled in tall pines, this magnificent house, built to resemble a Scandinavian castle, sits on the lip of beautiful Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe, making it place fit for Odin and his brethren.

It had been awhile since we’d visited Vikingholm, so recently we drove to Lake Tahoe and made the trek to the three-story landmark. Originally a private residence, Vikingsholm has been part of the California State Park system since 1953 and is open for tours during the summer months.

To reach it, travel south of Reno to Carson City and then head west on U.S. 50 to Lake Tahoe. Continue around the south end of the lake on State Route 89 until you reach the scenic overlook at Emerald Bay. Vikingsholm is located about 35 miles from Carson City.

From the park lot, which offers some of the best views of Emerald Bay, you’ll find the trail leading downhill to the home. The walk is a fairly steep one-mile journey through tall pines that passes by a handful of scenic, seasonal waterfalls.

Vikingsholm was the creation of Lora J. Knight, a wealthy Illinois woman who, in 1928, purchased 239 acres at the head of Emerald Bay (for $250,000). She decided to build a summer home on the site and hired Lennart Palme, a Swedish architect and her nephew, to design the house with a Scandinavian influence.

Following a trip to Scandinavia to gather ideas, Mrs. Knight authorized construction to begin in the summer of 1928. Work on the house ceased during the winter months but restarted the next spring. Amazingly, the house was completed by the end of the summer.

The house was constructed of locally cut pine and fir with local granite boulders and rocks that were embedded in mortar. Interior walls were hand planed and accented with delicate, hand carvings.

Mrs. Knight stayed at Vikingsholm for 15 summers, until her death in 1945. A few years later, it was acquired by the state of California and became a park.

The best way to learn about Vikingsholm is by taking the guided tour of the house, which is worth the admission charge. If possible, try to take one given by Helen H. Smith, who, as a child spent 14 consecutive summers as a guest at Vikingsholm. She has also written an excellent booklet about the house, which is sold at the end of the tour.

Tours of Vikingsholm are offered on weekends from Memorial Day weekend to July, then daily until late September or October. Tours are offered between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. For more information, call 530-525-7232.—Richard Moreno

Overview of Fort Churchill

The best time to visit Fort Churchill is late afternoon. That’s when the sun drops to the edge of the nearby mountains and paints long shadows on the adobe ruins.

Recently, we journeyed 45 miles east of Carson City via U.S. 50 and Alternate U.S. 95 to Fort Churchill State Park. The U.S. Army built the fort in 1860 to house troops protecting western Nevada settlers, who feared an Indian uprising.

Earlier that year, local tribes had fought with the white settlers in the so-called Pyramid Lake War. The fort also provided protection for Pony Express riders and later served as a western outpost for the U.S. Army during the Civil War.

In 1869, the U.S. Government abandoned the post, which was expensive to operate, and auctioned the buildings. The wooden roofs, supports and porches were removed and sold, but the adobe walls remained. Wood from the fort was used to build Buckland Station, a stagecoach stop and hotel, which still stands about a mile from the fort.

While efforts were made in the 1930s to preserve the ruins, it wasn’t until 1957 that the site was acquired by the state of Nevada for a state historic park. Since then, the state has stabilized the remaining buildings in a state of “arrested decay.”

These days, Fort Churchill is a photographer’s wonderland. Its appearance seems to change depending on where you’re standing and how the sunlight plays on the ruins.

A good place to learn about the history of the fort is the visitor center located on a bluff overlooking the fort. Inside, visitors will find a helpful park ranger as well as a miniature model of the fort as it appeared in the 1860s. Back then, all the adobe walls were painted white and each building had a low, over-hanging roof, which also served to protect the adobe walls.

An interpretive trail leads from the visitor center to the fort ruins. Along the way visitors can discover the location of the two-story officers quarters, the parade grounds, hospital, troop quarters, the armory and other buildings.

Below the fort, in a beautiful cottonwood grove on the banks of the Carson River is a developed camping and picnicking area. There, you’ll find 20 shaded campsites (but no RV hook ups), an RV dump station and picnic tables. For more information contact the Fort Churchill State Historic Monument, 775-577-2345.—-Richard Moreno

A couple of years ago, a photographer friend showed me some pictures he’d taken of a place he called Fly Geyser. He said it was an amazing site that was located about two hours north of Reno on the edge of the Black Rock Desert.

The photos showed three, large green and orange colored mounds of some kind of rock with water shooting out of the top. He said the geyser was located on the Fly Ranch, which is private property (don’t trespass), but could easily be seen from the nearby road.

After seeing the remarkable images of a trio of travertine cones spewing hot water about four or five feet into the air, I knew I had to find this place.

So recently, I took a drive north of Reno to the small town of Gerlach. My map indicated that Fly Geyser was about 20 miles north of Gerlach via State Route 34.

The geyser isn’t difficult to find. The plumes of hot water that continuously pour from the top of the mounds can be seen from miles away. Additionally, once I got closer I could see the distinctive shades of green and rust on the tufa rock pillars that seem to sit out in a field of tall grass.

I’d researched the geyser before heading up there and found that it’s not a natural phenomenon. The geyser was created accidentally in 1964, after a geothermal power company drilled a test well at the site. While the groundwater in the region turned out not to be sufficiently hot to be tapped for geothermal power, it did have a temperature of more than 200 degrees.

According to later newspaper reports, the well was either left uncapped or was improperly plugged. In either case, the scalding hot water was allowed to shoot from the well hole and calcium carbonate deposits began to form, growing several inches each year.

Jump forward several decades, and those deposits have become large mounds taller than an average-sized man that rise out of a field of tall reeds and grasses.

Scientists familiar with the geyser note that the green and reddish coloring on the outside of the mounds is the result of thermophilic algae, which flourishes in moist, hot environments.

Interestingly, the set of circumstances that created Fly Geyser in 1964 apparently occurred at least one time before. In about 1917, a well was drilled a few hundred feet north of the geyser. This well was also abandoned and, over time, a massive 10 to 12-foot calcium carbonate cone formed.

Today, no hot water flows from the older mound. It appears that the earlier geyser dried up when underground water was diverted to the newer one.

After I snapped a few shots, I headed back to Gerlach because my photographer pal had recommended that I stop at a diner called Bruno’s Country Club. He said that Bruno’s serves these delicious, round ravioli that are worth the trip up there.

He was right about both the geyser and the raviolis.—-Richard Moreno