Day: September 19, 2005

On the way from Lake Tahoe to Yosemite, I drove through a beautifully-situated small town called Markleesville, then over Monitor Pass and south to Lake Mono and Lee Vining. At the bottom of Monitor Pass, I saw Aspens changing colour for the first time; their beauty lives up to its reputation. Monitor Pass is spectacular, with beautiful colours and contrasts. We experience such beauty only fleetingly, even if we sit down for a time to enjoy it, yet it remains in our memory, however indistinctly, for a long time. Photos, at least my photos, do not do it justice. The experience is so much more, having this beauty surrounding us. It is a reminder that there is a God, and perhaps that is why man is so intent on building houses, offices, roads and cities, and expanding them all the time: do anything to remove the beauty, and the reminder that God exists.


The drive further south towards Yosemite in the late afternoon and early evening was also beautiful, the golden sunlight illuminating the dry grass-covered hills. The sudden vista over Mono Lake just after sunset was an amazing surprise; I drove around a corner in the road on the crest of a hill, and saw this amazing panorama, the blue and pink of the sky reflecting in the lake, turning the whole view into a deep pink painting. The view was absolutely incredible; I have never seen anything like it before, and the photos do not nearly do it justice. I was awestruck.
Finding a room for the night was an adventure. The motels in Lee Vining, where I had hoped to stay, were full. I then tried driving up Tioga Pass in the dark (note: do not try this at home 🙂 ), only to discover that the only accommodation there was already full. I finally found a place in June Lake, further to the south – but with neither telephone nor internet connection. My attempts to contact Mary-Anne also failed, because the telephones inexplicably would not accept my credit card.

Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place. I drove from Reno as night was falling, so did not see the lake at all until this morning. After looking at the map, I had planned to stay in Crystal Bay, but was so horrified by the bright flashing lights and number of casinos that I drove a little further to Kings Bay, the first place across the border in California. California regulates gambling much more strictly than Nevada, so there were no casinos.
I got up early to see sunrise – too early! I waited on the lakeshore for about an hour in quite low temperatures. Even wearing my fleece, I was cold. The view and atmosphere were worth it, though.
Continue reading “Lake Tahoe”

Just a quick note to say that I have arrived at Lake Tahoe and taken a lot of pictures. The best so far are in the gallery.