Emerald Bay

23 June 2010

We spent our first two nights on this trip at Sunnyside Lodge a few miles south of Tahoe City. It was an excellent place situated on the lake with large rooms and a fine complimentary breakfast. This morning, I got up early to work for a few hours and then after breakfast we packed up for the ride along the west shore to South Lake Tahoe.



I had a minor bike problem so we first rode the wrong way back to Tahoe City to get it fixed. That gave Ingrid a chance to buy some pink-trimmed Teva sandals she'd had her eye on. I also bought a pair of walking shorts since I'd forgotten to pack any. (Silly me, I'm packed for a much colder ride than we're experiencing.)



The ride was lovely and we took it at a slow pace. For a long stretch, we rode on a bike trail that paralleled the main road. We were treated to views of the lake from angles that changed as we progressed. At a deli/market in Tahoma, we bought a tuna "manwich" (Ingrid's description because it was mammoth) and some coleslaw to share for lunch. After a hard climb to (DL) Bliss State Park the road leveled out.



For lunch, we stopped at the Eagle Falls trail head just across from Vikingsholm at the head of Emerald Bay and hiked the short distance up to a lovely vista. The chipmunk was an uninvited lunch guest!



From the vista point overlooking Emerald Bay, the ride continued for 12 miles, first traversing a narrow ridge with views of water on both sides and then dramatically descending through a series of hairpin turns. We found the head of the bike path, rode past Camp Richardson, and then through the back streets of South Lake Tahoe, ending at the Timber Cove Lodge where we have a room overlooking the lake.



The photos, from the top:
1. Emerald Bay from a view point above Vikingsholm.
2. A view looking south from an early part of today's ride.
3. Our lunch perch near Eagle Creek Falls overlooking Emerald Bay.
4. Our uninvited lunch guest (not at all bashful!).
5. The narrow ridge top road south of Emerald Bay.
6. The view from (5) looking east.