It’s all part of the popular Saturday Mornings for Seniors.

Kirk Hardie grew up in Sacramento, Calif., and spent most winter weekends skiing in the Tahoe region. He has been an environmental educator in Idaho, Oregon, California, and Nevada, highlighting the beauty of birds in the natural world, among many other topics. He received his Master of Science degree in Biology from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2009, where he developed a four-week high-school curriculum based on the ecology of the Great Basin. Kirk’s ornithology background has included working with Gunnison Sage-Grouse and Lewis’s Woodpeckers in addition to co-leading international birding trips. He teaches Field Ornithology as an adjunct faculty member at Sierra Nevada College and enjoys hiking, biking, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in his free time.

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS) is a nonprofit organization seeking to advance the natural history, conservation, and ecosystem knowledge of the Tahoe region. Its long-term goal is to bring a world-class interpretive nature center and educational facility to the Tahoe area. Currently, the organization engages in multiple science, education, and outreach programs to promote greater appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of the natural resources of the Tahoe region.

The presentation is part of “Saturday Mornings” offered by Sierra Nevada College and Incline Village Parks & Recreation Senior Programs. Share your morning coffee with SNC’s faculty and other knowledgeable locals as they present bite-size offerings of intellectually stimulating material. An optional continental breakfast will be provided for $3.  The presentation runs from 10am – 12pm at the Prim Library, Sierra Nevada College, 999 Tahoe Boulevard, Incline Village, NV.

For details on other Senior course offerings, please visit www.Inclineseniors.com or call 775.832.1310.

The summer outdoor screening will feature more than 80 amateur short films accompanied by some of New Belgium’s most esoteric beer offerings, as well as food from local vendors.

Film entries range from kayaking buddies navigating grizzlies and whales on a paddling trip from Alaska to Seattle, to an absurdist spaghetti western about a flat tire (and some beer).

All proceeds from beer sales benefit the Truckee Trails Foundation, the North Lake Tahoe and Truckee resource for road and mountain bike trails.

Festivities begin at 7:30pm, with films showing at dark at the Truckee River Regional Park.

Thank Goodness the dam gates are open, the river is flowing, and rafting along North Lake Tahoe’s scenic Truckee River is now open.

According Chad Blanchard, chief deputy water master, currently 200 cubic feet per second is being released from the Tahoe City Dam, Lake Tahoe’s only water outlet, which may increase due to the drops in the natural flow and snowmelt.

Two Tahoe City-based raft companies, Mountain Air Sports and the Truckee River Raft Company, are in full operation, offering self-guided, leisurely five-mile floats down the Truckee River.

Rafting trips take two to three hours to complete, with rafters exiting at River Ranch Lodge near Alpine Meadows Road along Highway 89. Guests can park in Tahoe City and take free shuttles back to their vehicles after the float anytime before 6 p.m. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily (weather permitting) and footwear is mandatory. Trips include parking, shuttle, paddles, life jackets and commercial rafts for 2-20 people. Group rates are available.

Ahhhh – summer is here.

Over fifteen miles of dedicated downhill single track and mountaintop cross-country trails will be open during summer 2010.

Formerly the site of the Mountain Bike World Cup, TAMBA Fat Tire Festivals and Downhill Mania events, Squaw Valley’s bike park has been completely rebuilt to increase the flow of the trails and incorporate more freeride elements using the mountain’s natural terrain.

Squaw Valley is also opening three intermediate cross-country trails on top of the mountain.

Over the last month, the MTB park manager Hacksaw, aka  Jim Severt, and the crew have been rebuilding lots of trails for your enjoyment. They’ve been working on Thunder Mountain, named after Walt Disney who played a critical role in the 1960 Winter Olympics held at Squaw, and other trails with serious roots like one they call “Nico” named after Nico Vouilloz who won the 1999 World Cup DH race held at Squaw. Besides the hard core DH trails there will be super fun cross-country trails accessed via High Camp and all over the mountain.

And, did we mention B E A U T I F U L views? Come and get ‘em – at Squaw, starting July 16, 2010.

With 3 great mountain bike parks and miles of single track, backcountry giggly – no ticks – no poison oak – no snake rides, and over-the-top gorgeous scenery, why would you ride anywhere else than Lake Tahoe?

To check out the Squaw Mountain Bike Park map, click here.

From full moon hikes to birding and water fall hikes, join the Tahoe Rim Trail Association for free guided hikes July 28 through August 24, 2010.

Wednesday, July 28th: Alpine Lakes

Hike the Tahoe Rim Trail on the southern portion of Desolation Wilderness along Lower and Upper Echo Lakes. Climb towards Haypress Meadows to discover what wildflowers the heavy snows delivered. Dip down to Lake of the Woods for lunch before the return hike back. Space is limited, register in advance only and no dogs on this hike. Start time: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm. Distance: 10 miles. Difficulty: Moderate

Sunday, July 25th: Tahoe Meadows Full Moon Hike (Must be a TRTA Member to attend)

Everything changes after dark – the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes in the Tahoe Meadows led by experienced guides. Enjoy inspiring views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk. Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the flora and fauna, current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses. Register in advance only, and please; no dogs on this hike. Start time: 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Sunday, August 15th: Birds, Views and Falls

The Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS), the Tahoe Rim Trail Association (TRTA), and the Lahontan Audubon Society (LAS) are sponsoring this moderately difficult hike from the Mount Rose Trailhead to Galena Falls in search of late summer birds and spectacular scenery. We will take our time to enjoy the birds and soak in great views before arriving at Galena Falls and the surrounding alpine meadows. Possible avian participants are Green-tailed Towhee, Clark’s Nutcracker, Mountain Bluebird, and MacGillivray’s Warbler. Please register in advance for this hike by calling the TRTA Office. Space on this hike is limited. Start time: 7:00 am – 1:00 pm. Distance: 5 miles. Difficulty: Moderate

Sunday, August 29th: Mount Rose Summit

We use a ridge on the foot of Mt. Haughton to gain 200 feet in the first half mile; then cross that ridge to traverse for the next 2 miles with a zero elevation gain. Along the way we have great views of Lake Tahoe initially and then our destination begins to dominate the vista. The final 2.5miles to the summit is interrupted by only a few switchbacks along the way up the more than 1700ft to the top of this old volcano. Please register in advance for this hike as space is limited. Please, no pets on this hike. Distance: 10.2 miles. Start Time: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm. Difficulty: Strenuous

Tuesday, August 24th: Tahoe Meadows Full Moon Hike (Must be a TRTA Member to attend)

Everything changes after dark – the trails, the trees, and the lake. Experience the Tahoe Rim Trail in a whole new light with full moon hikes in the Tahoe Meadows led by experienced guides. Enjoy inspiring views of the lake as the moon rises over the Lake Tahoe Basin. Experience the peace, tranquility and beauty of the Tahoe Rim Trail at dusk. Expect casually paced hikes for all ages, while slowing down to enjoy the flora and fauna, current happenings in the natural world and nighttime senses. Register in advance only, and please; no dogs on this hike. Start time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Pre-registration is required for all hikes. Full moon hikes require TRTA membership. For more information or to sign-up for these hikes call the TRTA office at (775) 298-0012 or email programs@tahoerimtrail.org.

The Truckee Trails Foundation website provides updates on the mountain bike trail, roads and bikeway conditions in North Shore and Truckee.

Each trail update includes an open status, trail type, difficulty, directions to the trail head, and a description of the trail – written by a local who knows the trail.

And, there’s even a Google Map for each dirt trail so you can pinpoint your ride. Sweet!

It is so well done.  Truckee has one more reason to brag.

Truckee Trails Foundation Goal:

To provide the Truckee area with a network of trails and bike paths for fun, adventure and alternative transportation.

Truckee Trails Foundation is a committed group of community-minded people focused on the development of a local trail and bikeway system. Our goal is to connect people and places, reduce dependence on automobiles and improve physical, social, and environmental health for the community.

We owe a big fat thank you to the foundation, and the business and individual supporters, for providing this useful tool so we know if a trail is open before we go (and waste gas getting there!) and, above all, know which routes to use for riding and commuting.

But wait! We can do more.

Become an individual member for just $35, and we can help keep this trail system alive and maybe even help it expand into South Shore and beyond.

Check it out at www.truckeetrails.org.

Ride up the new Sentinels Trail that traverses through the area known as Palisades Bowl during the ski season. It’s an advanced climb with a technical descent either on the mountain side or out of bounds.

The trail winds its way to the top of the ridge line beyond Martin Point. Either turn around and drop back in, or for those seeking the ultimate adventure, pedal along the ridge line to connect with Horse Canyon or Thunder Mountain trail for a steep scream-your-face-off descent bringing you down the backside of the resort towards Silver Lake and Highway 88 at the Carson Spur.

Heads UP:

Sentinels Trail at Kirkwood is not accessed via chairlift. It is a pure cross country ride. Shuttle services are not provided either from Silver Lake or Highway 88 at the Carson Spur so plan on riding an epic loop like “old school” riders.

Have fun!

(Note: The Trolley does not allow kayaks. Doh!)

Oh yeah…And it includes the most thorough description for kayaking around the lake.

The Unofficial Guide to Kayaking Tahoe

The detail of information and pen and ink drawings by 28-year local artist and fun hog, Don Sullivan, a.k.a. Blindman, are remarkable.

The guide is riddled with meticulous drawings of kayak gear, rescue procedures, Tahoe flora, historic mansions, and campgrounds, as well as the classics like kayak camp, camo camping, and the satirical rendering of all things Lake Tahoe.

The best part – Don prints and binds the book “at my home, with my own two hands with loving care.”

Besides sharing his love of kayaking, the lake, nature and just plain fun, Don provides the inside scoop for day excursions and an unforgettable kayak trip around the Lake including an illustrated fishing guide.

Kayaking Tahoe, The Unofficial Guide includes EVERYTHING you need to know about kayaking – and more! For only $13.95 it’s a steal. It’s almost like the Unofficial guide to Tahoe …

• Boating fuel stops
• Campground maps (hand drawn)
• Lodging
• Restaurants & Bars on the water
• Supply stops
• Packing lists
• Helpful tips
• Emergency info
• Mansion tours
• Nude beaches
• Nature
• Short hikes
• Fishing guide
• Snorkling
• Golf courses (in a kayak guide?)

Don has lived in Tahoe since 1979, and his love of the outdoors and early California history lead him to write about his favorite topic: Lake Tahoe.

Own the Book.

You can find the Unofficial Guide at the Bookshelf in Tahoe City and Truckee, Tahoe Park General Store next to Sunnyside, Lakeside Inn & Casino, Fox Gas, Sierra Ski and Cycle Works, Sports LTD., Kayak Sports Rentals and the Lake Tahoe Community College.

Or contact Don via email, direct mail or phone orders:

edonsullivan@aol.com

There’s nothing to see – right?

Wrong.

Besides crawdads, Tahoe Tessie and Lake Mermaid, a lot of Tahoe’s history dating between 1884 and 1953 can be seen under water on the south side of Emerald Bay since it was designated an Underwater State Park in 1994.

Scuba divers are really the only ones who can enjoy this unique park and view artifacts from an era long past.

Emerald Bay State Underwater Park is the resting place for many boats, launches and barges used in the lake before the turn of the century, during the heyday of Emerald Bay Resort and used in the construction of Vikingsholm.

In 1994, the Los Angeles Maritime Museum in cooperation with the California Department of Parks and Recreation installed a mooring buoy at the barge dive site located on the southern shore of Emerald Bay.

Two historic barges lay in 35′ of water at this site. This is also the location of a dump site possibly used by Emerald Bay Resort and others from 1884 until 1953. Small artifacts from the dump may be found at the Northwest corner of the western most barge.  Please leave all artifacts you see in their place.

Emerald Bay Resort was situated on the north shore of Emerald Bay where Boat Camp is currently located.

If you dive in this area you will find a variety of artifacts from the resort including telephone batteries, old tires, sinks, toilets, an old pier, a diving platform, at least five dories and two launches.

One diver even reported seeing a Model A Ford!

Well now it’s easy! The Lake Tahoe Water Trail Guide and Map lets you plan a custom paddle trip all around the lake.

The water proof map (genius!) lists access points, resting places, campgrounds, lodging, points of interest and related support facilities to accommodate kayakers and canoeists.

For more info and to get a map, visit www.laketahoewatertrail.org.

For even more details and local insight, check out Don Sullivan’s The Unofficial Guide to Kayaking Tahoe. A MUST HAVE along the Lake Tahoe Water Trail.

Need an idea of where to head in your boat. Check out this tour to the Thunderbird Lodge with Tahoe City Kayaks.