The next most obvious Tahoe activity is just sitting quietly gazing at all the gorgeousness of the High Sierra. With almost no light pollution during the night, stargazing in the Sierra should be high on anyone's list. Tahoe's spectacular night sky is best seen while sitting either close to the lake and away from trees that block the sky, or watching from way up high above the trees. A quick study of star maps during the day enhances the stunning star displays. 

For those who would like a lesson that feels more like a tour, try Tahoe Star Tours in the summer. With blankets to wrap against the evening chill, telescopes, s'mores and hot chocolate, a good evening is assured. 

https://www.tahoestartours....

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The word Washoe means "people from here," which is an apt description for a group of people who have called this area home for more than 6,000 years. Many generations have lived on and with this land, each gathering knowledge and wisdom to pass forward. It's no wonder that The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources officially granted cultural custody over land around Lake Tahoe to the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.

Oral history of the Washoe people tells about encounters with the 1846/1847 Donner party, and recent archaeologic evidence backs up their stories. More than once Washoe scouts tried to help the stranded pioneers with offerings of food, which the Donner party rebuffed, on occasion with violence. When a scout observed dead bodies being cannibalized, the Washoe people gave up and retreated. From then on they referred to the Donner pa...

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Sure, it's changed. It's been gentrified; the town's rough edges inevitably smoothed over by time, commerce and population growth. Nevertheless, the old-timey, slightly ramshackle ambience of Truckee still shines through. Maybe it's the trains running through the middle of town, stopping for passengers, as well as stopping traffic, as they have for over 150 years. Or it could be the mountains surrounding Truckee, with the echoing history of years past continuing to bounce from peak to peak. Whatever the explanation, Truckee is worth a visit.

If a shopping trip calls, then Truckee's main street will fill the bill. Stores stocked with appealing merchandise abound, and a just right souvenir to take home is certain to be discovered.

With over 50 local restaurants, visitors won't go hungry. It's a sure bet there will be a dish to satisfy every palate, and every wallet.

From skiing and ice skating in the winter to biking...

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Too often, when talking about a special vacation in a far away place, people will say, "There is a lot of history there."  Well, there happens to be "a lot of history" around Tahoe, too.

Have you ever thought about America's transcontinental railroad, and the people responsible for that slight miracle? Instead of a dangerous ocean passage, or one heck of a long walk, it became possible to travel, almost quickly and comfortably, across America, from its Atlantic coast to its far Pacific.

So, how about taking a relatively easy hike through some of that history? With our connection to the transcontinental railroad right in our own back yard, it's possible to walk in the steps of the extraordinary people who planned, engineered, and built one of the most difficult routes of the railroad.

Begin the hike just outside of Truckee, along Donner Pass Road, at the Donner Summit Bridg...

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Can you imagine bicycling from Incline Village to Spooner Lake comfortably, without worrying about heavy summer traffic as you navigate curve filled Highway 28? No? Now imagine a beautiful summer's day with you on your bike and a safe, sensational 22 mile round trip ride in front of you. That day will come, but be patient. The Spooner Lake extension of the popular Eastside Trail won't be completed until 2026, but when it is — wow!

The new section will be 8 miles long, extending the length of the trail to 11 beautiful miles.

The plan is to build the new section on the Lake side of Highway 28, following the highway's route instead of the shoreline.

If the popularity of the existing 3 miles of the Eastside Trail give...

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