Historic Estates of Southwest Shore - Lake Tahoe

In my LAST POST I had fun pretending what it might feel like to be a rich landowner in the late 1800s during the heyday of the fancy Lake Tahoe estates.  

At the Tallac Historic Site, you can walk amongst gardens and past houses and "cabins" set throughout three, gorgeous lakeside estates.  They are the Tallac Resort (1880-1920) which was the site of a resort and casino, The Pope Estate (1894), and the Baldwin Estate (1921).  

These beautiful conjoined sites offer museums, gardens, the Washoe Indian Cultural Exhibit, elaborate buildings, and golden sand beaches.  There are also many events, activities, and exhibits in some of the buildings throughout the summer months, including the Great Gatsby Festival.  

Of course, on this early, off-season morning, I practically had the place to myself.  Except for the occasional human and a LOT of chipmunks and Stellar's Jays. 

I began at the Tallac site on walked around under the pines and on the beach for a bit.  I was happy to see some adorable Common Merganser ducks floating around.  

I walked through the cabins reading what signage I could since all the museums were closed.  I was startled periodically by a chipmunk chattering at me or posing for photos. 

They have various boat parts laying about which are really quite fascinating.  Some of them are huge. One area has the "bones" of an old steam vessel that was brought on shore and then left to wither.

The cabin below is called the "Twin Cabin".  Walk through this doorway and there are two identical guest cabins on each side.

And now it's time for my dream cabin!  It's so amazing.  

I just love the intricate detail.  There was an addition made at some point because just behind where my photo ends, you could see the wood paneling going in a vertical direction instead of horizontal like the front.  

I just love the intricate detail on the front porch.  And can you imagine waking up here everyday?  Walking outside to sit on your front porch with a hot cup of coffee?  Is dream.  

And steps away, is the beautiful, crystal clear blue water of Lake Tahoe.  There are so many old pier pilings and tracks leading into the water where historic boathouses once stood.  

While just a few steps inland you have your choice of gorgeous gardens to w(h)ile away the days. 

With deer, bears, chipmunks, birds, coyotes, and mountain lions wandering around. 
That would be so magical. 

There were some weird looking plants growing through the pine needles.  I have no idea what they are, but they looked cool with their vibrant red color. 

From the ground up to the top of the trees, it's just so breathtaking. 

I had to take one last walk around the beach.  The misty mountains and the glassy reflection off the oh-so-clear water was captivating. 

Oddly enough, I love this photo.  So peaceful. 

Seashells on the seashore...errr...lakeshore.

Lake Tahoe has always been a place of peace for me.  

Sure, I love to go play at the craps table all night long (if I'm winning), but you just can't beat the outdoor beauty.  

Maybe someday I'll win enough at craps to buy a gorgeous lakeside estate of my own.  

Well, one can dream, right?

xoxo

Nikon D3300

Mother's Day in Lake Tahoe - South West Shore & Historical Tallac Site

Continuing my crazy pattern of jumping back and forth between time (who doesn't want to time-travel??) and place, this post is part the second from my road trip to beautiful Lake Tahoe on Mother's Day 2016.  

If you want to see my "test" shots from Emerald Bay and Eagle Falls at dawn, clickety click here!

After spending a couple of hours walking around Eagle Falls and Highway 89 in a light drizzle, I jumped back in the car and headed back the way I came.  I stopped at the Historic Tallac site which is next door to three more fascinating, historical estates from the late 1800s through the 1930s.  

Oh, indeed! to have the money to have purchased and cared for these huge, gorgeous, lakeside estates!  My imagination was running wild as I walked around.  All of the buildings were closed on this early, off-season morning.  So most of my photos are more nature in...well, nature.  :-)

But first, I want to post some of the landscape, nature, and local bird shots from around Emerald Bay and Eagle Falls.

I felt like I was on my way to Rivendell in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. (Nerd Alert)

I could almost hear the dwarves working away in Kazad Dum under the barren slopes of the mountains. 

Next to Eagle Falls was this cool fallen tree.  

A quick note on fallen and barren trees...  I've stated many times in my blog that I love bare trees, however situated.  As summer has arrived along with temperatures over the 100 mark, California (as well as the rest of the West, especially Arizona) is once again on fire.  

Many homes and even lives have been lost as the flames rage through the dry, dry land with the situation made much worse by an unprecedented number of dead trees thanks to the loss of water and snow. 

It's sad that something that, in the right circumstances, is beautiful and so photogenic is now something to be feared and sad about.  Now that I've thoroughly depressed everyone, on with the pictures. :-/

This tree was struck by lightening at some point, but it's hanging on for dear life. 

In that tree and the next one were a couple of White-headed Woodpeckers pecking away. 

Despite my growing sadness over dead trees and fires, I love this photo and think it illustrates my point about how they enhance and look cool in pictures. 

The only other birds I saw hanging around the falls and bay were the always-gorgeous, electric-blue Stellar's Jays. 

This one decided he was shy.  When I took his photo, he took flight!  

And on that note, we'll move forward in time and about 6 miles down the highway to the fascinating and beautiful Tallac Historic Site.  Again, it's hard to comprehend that all this beautiful, lakefront properties was privately owned.  But I'm game to try!

Here I am walking down my private walkway to my private beach.  :-)

Looking back towards Emerald Bay, you can see my dog-wrangler walking one of my many dogs.  When you're this rich, you don't walk your own dogs.  Of course not.  

All mine!  I love my beautiful views across the lake!

I even have my own, private Merganser ducks to add to my shoreline. This is Ta.

And his beautiful wife, Hoe.  Wait...

 Ta and Hoe.  Tahoe!  Not what you were thinking!

And of course, I couldn't really call myself rich if I didn't have a gorgeous, fancy yacht to sail away from my beautiful, lakeside home in.  Here I am launching it from my private, lakeshore boathouse. 

Whew!  That was a lot of work!  I think I'll just leave it moored and access it from my amazing pier and dingy. 

Never underestimate the view from underneath a pier.  Seriously. 

I love Lake Tahoe.  So. Much. 
Even if I'm not rich...it's definitely fun to pretend. 

xoxo

Nikon D3300