I spent the last couple of weeks out east at the Jackson house in Tennessee.

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Shelly Robertson, who lives in Reno, is a member of the U.S. Ski Team, and was the 2004 U.S. dual moguls champion.

Hola Reno,

Just a quick update, I’m in Chile training right now and it has been unbelievable. We are about an hour away from Santiago at a little resort called El Colorado. It is a really beautiful spot with 3 resorts connecting to each other. It doesn’t quite compare to what we have at home with the lift access and the steeps that we have grown so accustomed to but it is definately sweet just to be skiing and training on winter snow in the summer. Plus it has been warm and sunny everyday, making for perfect soft moguls and soft landings for the huge jumps that we have built. I’ve been working on a lot of new techniques and consistency so that when we start the season in December- I’m ready. As for the US team, it has been a really good vibe- we have a bunch of new athletes since some of the veterans retired after the Olympics and also now that the pressure of the Olympics are off everyone is getting along better and are friends again- makes for some good water polo, snow soccer and wiffle ball for when we aren’t training.

Other than that, I think it is going to snow tonight so hopefully I will get in atleast one powder day before I come back home and start class at UNR on Monday.

Adios,
Shelly Robertson
US Freestyle Ski Team Member

Grimes Point petroglyphs

Even after years of study no one is quite certain how to interpret the centuries-old Indian petroglyphs or rock writings found carved on cliff faces, canyon walls and boulders throughout Nevada.

In Northern Nevada, some of the most accessible examples of these mysterious petroglyphs can be found at Grimes Point, about 12 miles east of Fallon on Highway 50. To reach Grimes Point from Reno, travel about 34 miles east on I-80 to Fernley, then head southeast for another 28 miles on Alternate U.S. 50 to Fallon.

Visitors to Grimes Point will find an interpretive trail that winds for about a mile through a small forest of engraved boulders and rocks. Petroglyphs in the area have been dated to more than 7,000 years old and contain a variety of styles, reflecting different eras.

A series of informative signs point out theories about the writings and the different types of symbols. For instance, the oldest petroglyphs are believed to be the simplest, utilizing a basic “pit and groove” pattern on several boulders. More recent designs are more elaborate and can resemble deer, lizards and the sun.

One sign notes that some historians believe the writing has religious or cultural significance and may have been part of a hunting ritual.

Regardless, there is something special about wandering through the field of carved boulders and knowing that you’re in the presence of something so ancient.

Because of the relative isolation and remoteness, you walk on dusty trails surrounded by silence shattered only by the passing of an occasional car or truck and the sound of your own breathing. In the afternoon summer heat, it becomes easy to imagine someone sitting in the shade of one of the boulders and chipping a picture into the rock that represents the hot sun overhead or, perhaps, a prayer for a good day’s hunt.

The carvings, which are spread throughout the hill are Grimes Point, are remarkable. On one, you can clearly see the outline of a lizard, while another is covered with a series of wavy lines.

Of course, since no one really know what they mean you’re invited to have your own interpretation. For more information about touring petroglyph sites contact the Nevada Rock Art Foundation, which offers regular tours, at 775-323-6723, or go to www.nevadarockart.org.—–Richard Moreno

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Shelly Robertson, who lives in Reno, is a member of the U.S. Ski Team, and was the 2004 U.S. dual moguls champion.

Summer is finally here!!! Hope everyone had the opportunity to make it down to the Reno River Festival this last weekend! It was great to see the number of people there, as well as the level of competition, and to top it off the weather was perfect. Hopefully it inspired some of you to take Kayak lessons. I actually learned last year in the kayak park and have floated the Truckee River 4 times since then- it’s a great sport, a little scary at first but really fun. Reno is very lucky to have the kayak park in such a convenient location and there are a couple of great schools, such as DSK that can teach you everything you need to know to get started.

If kayaking isn’t your thing then get out your bike and get outside because this is the best time of year- before it gets too hot. Keystone canyon or White Creek are both really good trails or if you want something a little more mellow, the path along the Truckee River is always a good choice. Anyway, hope everyone has a great weekend- have fun and enjoy all that Reno has to offer!

National Collegiate Whitewater Kayaking Competition in Reno

Kayaker challenges the Truckee River

It’s all captured for television

Last Saturday, I ventured to downtown Reno to catch the collegiate national whitewater kayaking championship, being held at the Truckee River Whitewater Park.

Despite the overcast skies, the event attracted a good crowd, all interested in seeing some of the best college kayakers in the country battle the Truckee’s waters. During the time I watched, it was the women’s freestyle qualifying matches, which featured the top college female paddlers.

The Truckee is running high at this time of year so there was plenty of water and a powerful current to challenge the kayakers. While I don’t pretend to know what the participants were required to do in the competition, I did see some stellar paddling and tight rolls. On the latter, the participants would paddle to the center of the course, where there’s a lot of roiling water and a kind of waterfall, and purposely flip their kayaks upside down, then right them, without losing control.

The whole time the competitors are going through their maneuvers, I found myself fascinated by this guy with a big television camera on a crane-like contraption that swung around over the heads of the paddlers. As the kayakers flipped upside down and fought against the current, the camera floated overhead, catching every bit of agony and exertion. He was there because the competition was being filmed by College Sports TV, which will plans to broadcast highlights of the competition in May.

In addition to the whitewater kayaking competition, the Collegiate Nationals, held throughout the Reno area on April 20-23, included the collegiate national wakeboard competition at the Sparks Marina, the national beach volleyball tournament at Harrah’s Plaza, a triathlon, and snowboarding championships at Northstar-At-Tahoe.

While I only watched the kayaking portion, I was rewarded with some dazzling paddle-work. And as I stood there taking it all in, I overheard a young guy in his mid-20s remark that he never thought he’d see the day when competitors from colleges from around the country would flock to Reno for kayaking.

Reno’s image is changing my friends.—-Richard Moreno

(Photo by Hank Moreno)

It’s April and there’s still plenty of snow in the mountains around Reno. So, last weekend we decided to head up to the higher elevations to shoot a few photos. My son, Hank, got a new digital camera last Christmas and he’s been eager to try to fill up a few memory cards with shots.

We drove up the Mount Rose Highway toward Lake Tahoe. As we climbed out of the Truckee Meadows, we could see some recent snow, which this year just seems to keep falling. The mountainsides were blanketed with the white stuff and only the top portions of the trees poked up through the snow.

As the road zigzagged up the mountain, we could see that the high peaks were thickly layered with snow. In most years, only the mountaintops are covered and you can see plenty of craggy rock walls and cliffs. But this year, the snow is so thick that hardly any rock is able to break through the covering.

We continued past Sky Tavern, a city of Reno ski facility for local kids, and the new Mt. Rose Visitor Center, which serves as the trailhead for the Mt. Rose Trail (we’ll hit that beautiful stretch of trail after the weather warms up in either the Spring or Summer).

Just ahead, my son asks me to stop because he’s spotted a snow-covered tree that he thinks might make a good photo. We pull over, climb out of the car and begin our slog through the deep snow. As we trudge closer, we see that the tree is barely alive with part of its trunk exposed and largely devoid of bark. Frankly, it’s a scrawny thing. But despite its scarecrow appearance there is something strong and proud in the way it just stands there in the snow defying everything that Mother Nature has thrown at it.

After my son snaps his shot, we head back to the car to look for other winter scenes. I have no doubt that he’s going to quickly fill up his camera’s memory card.—-Richard Moreno

Hey Reno,

Hope everyone is having a great winter!!! I just returned home after 5 weeks of traveling and skiing in the US and Europe. I must say it is one of my most favorite feelings to see the lights of Reno as I fly in after being gone for so long.

As some of you know, the tour is going really well and I have been having an amazing time. It started with 2 World Cups in the US- Deer Valley and Lake Placid- which were the qualifiers for the Olympics. After that I went to Europe for two more World Cups in the Czec. Republic and Italy and then spent the last week freeskiing in Switzerland and Austria to cure my need for powder.

As for Lake Placid, it was one of the most challenging and icy courses I have ever skied so I was really happy to have skied the way I did. Coming back from 12th place- I was in 1st with 3 skiers left- all of which put down great runs causing me to finish fourth. Any other day on World Cup this would have been a great day but this day I had to get top 3 to qualify for the Olympics- so you can feel my pain. It is very difficult when you have worked for a goal for 4 years and your opportunity slips away by a fraction of a point. Now the question everyone is asking is- are you going to go for 4 more years?

And the answer is- ?.

I love skiing- I’m the girl that’s out when nobody else is and is freeskiing when training is over- so as long as I love it like I do now I will continue to compete in moguls and freeskiing and create new skiing goals. Right now 4 years sounds like a long time but I now how fast life travels and I’m sure it will be here before I know it!

As for the rest of this season I will be heading to Korea and Japan next week. And then finishing up in Apex, Canada for World Cup finals and US National Championships in Killington. But for now I’m going to enjoy this week of being home and skiing in Tahoe. I must say I am so lucky to get to travel to all of these really cool places and I still feel like we have one of the most amazing places right here in our backyard!!!

Thanks again to everyone for all of the encouragement and support!

Have fun!

The Reno-Tahoe Blog will occasionally feature entries from athletes sponsored by Reno-Tahoe, America’s Adventure Place. Shelly Robertson, who lives in Reno, is a member of the U.S. Ski Team, and was the 2004 U.S. dual moguls champion.

I just returned home to Reno-Tahoe after three weeks in Colorado. I had a US Team camp, which started out in Breckinridge and ended in Winter Park. Then, I had the first competition of the year at Winter Park this past weekend. It went great! On Friday, I placed 1st and on Sunday, I placed 3rd, which gave me the overall title and a spot for the US World Cups. It was a great way to start the season because it’s satisfying to know that the training this summer has been paying off. Thanks for all of the words of encouragement that I received this weekend - I really appreciate it!!

I also look forward to skiing Tahoe with everyone over X-Mas, I will only be home for a couple of days because I will be in Salt Lake until Dec. 22nd and then leaving for Steamboat on the 26th for the BIG DAY! As I’m sure you all know- Steamboat is where the Olympic Qualifier will be held. It is going to be on Dec. 30th and for those of you that won’t be able to make it to the competition, it will be on NBC on Dec. 31st at 2:00. I have been dreaming about the 30th for months and I can’t believe it is only a couple of weeks away!!!! Well that’s about it for me, hope everyone has an amazing holiday season. I wish everyone lots of love and happiness. And as always, thanks for the support!!!

Wow, Tele Girl is back after so long! The summer went by too fast, but I have to say that I had a great time - lots of camping in the Sierras, swimming in Lake Tahoe, playing beach volleyball at Kings Beach — and a six-week long backpacking trip through Europe — what an amazing summer!

This weekend my hubby and I decided to go for a mountain bike ride and enjoy the fall colors. We did Thomas Creek on Saturday and Whites Creek on Sunday. The single track was awesome, especially right next to the creeks (Thomas Creek and Whites Creek). If you’ve never been there, you’ll have to check it out!

Here’s a picture of me sitting down by the creek, enjoying the fall colors.