Lake Tahoe, Gold Beach, The Redwoods and Crater Lake

It was tough leaving Yosemite's panoramic views and the rapids of the Merced River feeding into spectacular waterfalls - truly a plein air painter's paradise!  Only something completely different and equally inspiring could measure up as our next destination. Enter Lake Tahoe!

Of course, we knew it would be beautiful since this lake is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains. At 6,225 ft., it is the largest alpine lake in North America. What we didn't expect was the abundance of snow cover on the mountains, which accented the beauty even more. 

Doug was mesmerized by these snow-capped mountains and led our expedition to find them. Consequently, we came upon Mt. Rose.  At 8,260 ft., Mt Rose is the tallest mountain surrounding Lake Tahoe and hosts a popular ski resort. Nature still rules here, however, since there were two major avalanches on Mt Rose in January and February of 2017. The first one buried two skiers who were ultimately rescued; and the second one buried the main highway to Reno under 20 ft of snow. We could still see remnants as we reached the higher altitudes. 

The lines created by the avalanche and hardiness of the trees to survive such an onslaught of snow were captured by Doug in these paintings:

"Evening Shadows - Mt. Rose"

"Avalanche! - Mt. Rose"

"Bristle Cone Pines - Mt. Rose"

Lake Tahoe has been a popular resort for many years. It is equally positioned on the California and Nevada border and the cultural difference is quite obvious. On the California side, there are quaint little cabins and a rustic atmosphere. Drive down around the lake to the Nevada side and suddenly there is the glitz and glamour of casinos. Even though they are designed to blend into the landscape, they are still a bit out of character for the area. Our campground was on the Nevada side, but it was sprinkled among the surrounding pine forest, directly across from the lake and far away from the casinos. 

Our next destination took us back to the Pacific Coast to Gold Beach, Oregon, where we met up with Doug's sisters Deb and Shelley, their husbands Mike and Dave, along with his cousins John and Helen. Everyone else stayed in cute cottages in the same RV park and we enjoyed each other's company as we toured the surrounding coastline.

After saying good-byes to family, it was a short one hour jaunt to our next destination - the Redwoods. We returned to the same campground where we stayed two years ago and it is one of our favorites. Situated in new growth Redwoods, it still contains trunks from the old trees. It's not that the campground cut down the trees, but instead, they preserved the trunks of trees that were cut down over 40 years ago at the height of the logging industry. Fortunately, preservation efforts created several state and national forests that make up Redwood National Park. Sadly, only 4% of original, old growth trees remain. These trees are as much as 2,000 years old and are only found within these parks. 

Being in the old growth forest is like being in a cathedral. There is a sacred silence that descends as one is enveloped by these gentle giants. Beneath this canopy, moss and ferns grow abundantly, giving a feeling of stepping back in time to some prehistoric fairyland. 

As a painter, it is a challenge to capture the full spectrum of beauty and majesty contained in one place. The Redwoods are so tall that one has to choose between looking up to paint the canopy or down at the curiously gnarled trunks, often sprouting new growth. Both are excellent subjects. 

Many trees also show the effects of forest fires. The bark of the full-grown Redwood can be 12 inches thick or more, providing excellent protection from fire. Fires actually help open the seed cones to create new growth. Many of the oldest trees have survived multiple fires and, although they have scars, still continue to thrive. Doug loves to paint these ancient warriors.  

"Alone in the Redwoods" 

"Redwood Footprint"

"Survivor's Row" 

"Along the Smith River"

After experiencing the peaceful, settled feeling of the Redwoods a second time, we dubbed it our "home away from home" and made a pact to return as often as possible.  As we left, it dawned on us that our trip was two-thirds complete and suddenly, we felt a rush of homesickness and missing family. Fortunately, remembering our final destinations of Crater Lake, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons quickly rekindled the excitement and anticipation of travel. While there truly is no place like home, where we are headed next ain't too shabby either! 



  

Doug and Sue's

Living the Dream 2017 RV Tour Blog #2

Carmel/Monterey and Yosemite

One of the benefits of the RV life style is spontaneity. Although we plan our itinerary and reserve RV sites ahead of time, we can cancel without charge at most places, as long as we give sufficient notice. For example, we planned to go from San Diego to Kings Canyon/Sequoia in central California for a few days on the way to Yosemite. Well, when the time came, we weren't ready to leave the California coastline, so we bumped Kings Canyon and Sequoia to next year's bucket list and headed for the Monterey/Carmel area instead.  

Once there, we found a quaint, private RV park tucked in the hills of Carmel. This area of coastal California is one of those magical places protected from dramatic weather changes. The temperature is a relatively constant 60-70 degrees during the day all year. Morning fog rolls in, usually in the morning, and then clears to reveal a beautiful blue sky with fresh air that has not seen land since crossing over from Asia. 

We love this area, not only for the pleasant temperatures, but because the Pacific ocean is a beautiful deep blue and huge waves crash dramatically against the cliffs. While painting, Doug can feel the ground shake beneath him from the impact of the surf. 

Doug's painting buddy Bonnie Tucker was staying in nearby Pacific Grove and they had a blast painting together at two of Doug's favorite places: Point Lobos and Garrapata State Park. 

 "Garrapata View"

"Surf Over the Top"

After what turned out to be a worthwhile side trip, it was on to Yosemite National Park. We were truly excited to return to this destination. Two years ago when we last visited, it was July during the height of the 4 year drought. The daytime temperatures pushed to 100 degrees and vegetation everywhere was brown and extremely dry and brittle. It was alarming to see the landscape in this condition. Sadly, the famous waterfalls in the park were mere trickles.

What a difference a year can make since Yosemite received over 100 inches of snow in the highest altitudes this past winter. By the time we arrived in early May, the spring melt was well underway - so much so, that there were flood pools throughout the lower valley. 

Meanwhile, at the upper elevations, many hiking trails were snow bound and the highest road was still closed and may not reopen this year.

While the snow remained at high altitude, the spring melt was charging the river to create spectacular falls. We felt relieved to see nature rebound with such glory.

Upper Falls - July 2015 vs May 2017

A trip to Glacier Point left us spellbound by "Lord of the Rings" style views. We felt particularly blessed to witness a full-on rainbow color spectacle created by the sun being refracted by clouds and mist. 

Bonnie, Doug's artist friend with whom he painted with in Monterey joined us again at Yosemite and brought a friend.  We had lots of laughs together.

The artists were mesmerized and elated as they went off to paint. Doug produced some of his most inspired work of the trip so far: 

"Afternoon Sentinel"

"Bridal Veil Falls at Sunset"

"Ribbon Falls"

"Balancing Rock"

Frederick Church, Thomas Moran and countless other famous artists have painted in Yosemite. Doug felt deeply connected to them and the past as he painted this popular scene of Yosemite Valley:   

As we left Yosemite, we knew that this was not going to be our last visit. There is so much more to see and explore (like snow bound trails for Sue) We never tire of the breath-taking beauty that lies around every corner. 

Coming up next on our journey is Lake Tahoe, followed by Gold Beach and a reunion with Doug's sisters and cousins.  A short jaunt from there will take us to Redwood National Forest.