Books There are many, many books written on Nepal. Some of them are listed below Nepal Handbook by Kerry Moran is probably the best all around travel book written on Nepal. You should be able to find it at a good bookstore. It sells for $18.95 Snow Leopard by Peter Matthiessen is his written account of his trip to Nepal to track the elusive Snow Leopard To the Navel of the World is a book by Peter Somerville Large which chronicles … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – History
John C. Fremont was the first explorer to see Lake Tahoe. He "discovered" it in 1844. For many centuries before Fremont came the Lake Tahoe Basin was a summer home for bands of Washoe Indians. Lake Tahoe had spiritual meaning for these Indians and they held sacred ceremonies along the shore line. Tahoe got its name when explorers tried to interpret the Washoe word, "Da-ow-a-ga" which meant edge of the lake. The name Tahoe became official in … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Attractions
Donner Lake can be seen driving east from Donner Summit on the 80 freeway (on one's right hand side). Donner Summit is just over 7,200 feet. Donner Lake is three miles west of Truckee, three miles long and 3/4 of a mile wide. This lake is known as the "Gem of the Sierras" and is 600 feet in its deepest section. A public boat launching ramp is located at the west end of the lake next to a large parking lot. Fishing is excellent. The railroad … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Parks
Burton Creek State Park is over 1,800 acres and is Tahoe's second largest state park. There are over 12 miles of fire roads for either hiking or biking. This park is open for day use only and is located on Highway 28 just three miles north of Tahoe City. For more information call Phone (916) 525-7982. D.L. Bliss State Park is located 8 miles south of Tahoma on Highway 89. This is a 1200 acre park with 5 miles of hiking trails and 168 … [Read more...]
Lake Tahoe, CA – Tahoe Cedars Lodge
OLD! Historical Memento Photos of Tahoe Cedars (23 photos) Tahoe Cedars was for sale in 2009 for a cool 15 million: www.cblaketahoe.com/realestate/listing/2900249 Tahoe Cedars Property Owners' Association: www.tcpoa.org Update August 2019 - after all the cabins were destroyed, a modern home was constructed on the lower reaches of the property - possibly still under construction. A few old stone buildings (the boat houses) … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara is like a bright tapestry, woven from time, and enriched with the colors of history and culture. Some cities grow old and then slowly die. Santa Barbara never grows old, just more elegant and appreciative of its past. Words cannot begin to describe the intimacy and sophisticated flavor of this city, only experience and a stay here, can do that. In 1925 a devastating earthquake left the downtown in ruins. Santa Barbara … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – History
The Chumash Indians thrived in this area of California until just over 200 years ago. The Europeans arrived in 1542 when the Portuguese explorer Juan Cabrillo entered the Channel and claimed the land for Spain. Then in 1602 a ship under the command of the Spaniard Vizcaino entered the Channel to seek refuge from a storm. The day that he and his crew escaped the violent storm was the commemorative feast day for Saint Barbara. Vizcaino and his … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Mission Santa Barbara
Mission Santa Barbara called the "Queen of the Missions" was founded on Dec 4, 1786, on the Feast of St. Barbara. This mission is the tenth of the California missions and is the only one with two bell towers. It's construction was completed in 1820, and today is still one of the best preserved missions. However, between the founding of the mission and today it has been severely damaged by several earthquakes, one in 1812 and one in 1925. Both … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Colleges
MUSIC ACADEMY OF THE WEST is a prestigious music conservatory tucked away in the hills above the ocean just east of downtown Santa Barbara. Take Cabrillo Blvd to Channel Drive and turn off on Fairway Drive. There will be signs guiding you. Watch out for the one way streets. Not many tourists ever visit this academy (as it is a private campus). The campus is quite secluded and automatic gates are at the entrance and exit. Whenever we have … [Read more...]
Santa Barbara, CA – Museums
For the relatively small population of Santa Barbara, the amount of and quality of museums will surprise you. Here are a select few that we have personally visited; they are listed in alphabetical order: Carpinteria Valley Museum of History is located at 956 Maple Ave, just south of Carpinteria Ave. Descendants of Carpinteria's pioneer families donated household furnishings and clothing to this museum. A turn of the century schoolroom and … [Read more...]