Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe, Aug 4, 2017, Roz W & Ray M

From L to R: Luis, Ana, Mauricio, Simon Caro, Luis Felipe, Cristian (Cintia not pictured)

Fun in the Sun: Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe

Inbound from Tuxtla Gutiérrez Mexico, Donner Lake and Lake Tahoe California, Day 5 of 8, Aug 4, 2017

By Roz W and Ray M

Tahoe Day is one of the highlights of inbound Journey Ambassadors when visiting the Friendship Force of Sacramento. The day usually includes a view and drive-by of Donner Lake on the way to Lake Tahoe.

Today was a bit different.  Instead of a drive-by Donner Lake, there was a three hour stop over at the lake with lunch hosted by FF Sacramento members, Roz and Russ W.  Ambassadors were given activity options, wet or dry.  Almost half of the ambassadors (the younger ones!) opted for wet, while the others (the older ones!) opted for dry and went off to see the Donner State Park museum. 

Donner Summit

The first stop was a look at the old train tunnel under Donner Summit, which was hand-hewn through the granite by Chinese laborers in the 1860's.  We peered through the tunnel from the entrance.

Peering through the tunnel - you can see people on the other side

And then we stopped to admire the view of Donner Lake ...

The FF Tuxtla Ambassadors and Donner Lake

The Tuxtla Gutiérrez Chiapas Mexico climbing team reach the top

Donner Lake -- Wet Group

Russ W. instructed the wet group on how to paddle the kayak and canoe

and took six of the seven out for a paddle.  They caught on quickly and exhibited both synchronization  and exaltation at their first attempt.

Four of them ventured up Donner Creek on the west end of the Lake.

Luis Felipe and Adri (his mom) tried out the paddle boat,

and the others enjoyed a float in the water which was cool, but not cold like Lake Tahoe.

Dry Group - Donner Museum and Monument

We went through the museum, heard the story of the Donner Party caught in a massive snowstorm in 1846, learned about building the railway tunnels and the early highways up over the pass.  This monument was put up in the 1920's to commemorate the Donner Party.  In the winter of 1846, the snow line was as high as the top of the pedestal. 

The Donner Monument

After a morning of sightseeing and water fun in the sun, everyone had a healthy appetite for a picnic lunch.  

The young ambassadors picked the best picnic place

All too soon it was time to say goodbye and head over to Lake Tahoe.

Squaw Valley

We made a quick road-side stop to see the Squaw Valley Ski Area entry sign.  The 1960 Winter Olympics were held in Squaw Valley.

At the Squaw Valley Entrance Sign

Lake Tahoe - Emerald Bay

One of the prettiest parts of Lake Tahoe is Emerald Bay.  We stopped and admired the view, and of course took some group photos!

From here we could see the deep blue water, Vikingsholm (a 1929 mansion), and a stone tea-house on the little island in the bay.

Sylvia, Amin, Adri

PJ, Cristian, Cintia, Luis Felipe, Chris

The FF Tuxtla ambassadors and their  FF Sacramento hosts

Tallac Historic Site

For our last stop at Lake Tahoe, we visited the Tallac Historic Site - where San Francisco's rich came to relax in the 1880's - 1920's.  A good place to put your feet in the water, see some well-preserved log cabins and some vintage vehicles.

Picture time in front of one of the (luxury) log cabins

A 1919 Pierce-Arrow bus (Amin and Adri)

Strawberry

Ken and Linda, long-time FF Sacramento members, shared a light dinner with us at their mountain cabin hide-away near the small hamlet of Strawberry, CA.  

Ken and Linda, at their cabin

Lots of goodies! Cheese plates, a little wine, the forest, the river running by - what's not to like!

Luis enjoying the river view


Simon, Blanca, Mavi, PJ, Rose, Enrique

Mavi and PJ (center, Ambassador & Host Coordinators) with Simon, Blanca, Rose and Enrique

Lots of toasts! (Mavi and Rose)

And to close off the dinner, the Tuxtla Gutierrez Ambassadors sang classic Mexican songs - with  gusto and energy.  Wonderful memories in the forest! 

Singing! (even the birds joined in)

In Friendship and Peace