Road trips are the ultimate freedom in lifestyle; when I go on a road trip, I have a rough idea of my geographical coverage, but I leave the trip mostly unscripted and unplanned letting the journey unfold as circumstances dictate. Some of my favorite road trips are to California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains, winding my way south into the desert, especially Death Valley and the Mojave. The silence, the stillness and the remoteness of these places, the desert in particular, have always appealed to me. There are numerous types of […]

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CARSON VALLEY, Nev. – While humans famously tend to vacation in warmer climates during winter, nature reflects a vastly different reality, especially in Carson Valley, Nevada, nestled between the Sierra Nevada and Pinon Mountain ranges and just 45-minutes south of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. In fact, bald eagles and other raptors follow herds of cows during birthing season in winter, swooping in and feasting on the afterbirth of newborn calves to gain the sustenance needed for a late-winter migration. This means winter is prime time in Carson Valley to witness […]

The post Experience a New Kind of ‘Snowbirding’ in Carson Valley Annual Eagles & Agriculture Brings Raptors to the Area appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Whenever we drive through this special slice of the state we always start humming, Merle Haggard’s Kern River, a sad song about a girl drowning in its swift waters. And more recently, the last song that the old Hag recorded, Kern River Blues. Located only about 15 minutes from downtown Bakersfield, the closest access to the river from Highway 178 winds along its banks for about 30 miles before reaching Lake Isabella. A number of pullouts are located along the highway allowing one easy access down to the river. A […]

The post Kern River Canyon & Valley – November 2023 appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

(Cordoba, Spain) — Ride & Seek is thrilled to announce an immersive two-stage Reconquista cycling tour from Cordoba, Spain to Fez, Morocco, delving into the heart of the Reconquista’s legacy. The Reconquista or the fall of al-Andalus is a term used to describe the military campaigns that Christian kingdoms waged against the Muslim kingdoms following the Umayyad conquest of Hispania. The 27-day tour begins in Cordoba, cycling through iconic towns like Granada and Antequera, each echoing the Reconquista’s historic drama. Pedal through shifting landscapes for 1,642 km, crossing the Strait […]

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Gil’s father recently passed and Gil was recently fired from his job. His father’s best friend Syd, who is fighting leukemia decides to hike the 220 mile John Muir Trail in the high Sierra Nevada mountains. Gil’s mother asks him to join Syd and Gil agrees despite nurturing a strong dislike of camping, being overweight and very inadequately prepared to take on a physical challenge of this magnitude. This is a story of how their relationship develops on the trail, challenges overcome, the friends they meet, including a possible romantic […]

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TOPAZ LAKE, Nev. (February 2023) – At 5,000 feet elevation and located just 15 minutes south of the communities of Minden and Gardnerville in Carson Valley, Nevada, Topaz Lake’s glimmering waters bring a cold-weather winter fishing experience for eager anglers after those trophy-worthy catches. While Topaz Lake once held an annual fishing derby from January to April, the lake is now reliably stocked and open to shore and boat fishing all year long with the most trophy-sized bounties reeled in during the winter months beginning in early January. Offering water […]

The post Cast a Line into the Trout-Laden Waters of Topaz Lake this Winter appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Carson City, Nevada, adventure company offers day hikes and multi-day trips where its pack shares the weight of carrying supplies CARSON CITY, Nev., July, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Those looking for a nontraditional outdoor adventure are encouraged to check out High Sierra Pack Goats in Carson City, Nevada. Designed for novice to avid hikers and nature lovers, this adventure company offers morning walks through quiet neighborhoods, river walks that boast impressive views of the Carson Range, and, starting in July, multi-day hiking packages for travelers who are looking for more […]

The post Take the Weight Off Your Shoulders (Literally) and Hike With High Sierra Pack Goats appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

SONORA, Calif., February 10, 2022 – Tuolumne County is where winter wonders await. Located just 2.5 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, experience snowy adventures in the High Sierra, California Gold Rush history and enjoy the less crowded half of Yosemite National Park this season. Here’s what’s new in Tuolumne County this winter: New Lodging: Opened in early November, Hotel Lumberjack is Tuolumne County’s newly rebranded lodging property. Located at the center of historic Sonora, the hotel offers guests a unique Americana Motel experience with 34 newly designed rooms […]

The post Discover What’s New in Scenic Tuolumne County This Winter appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Located seemingly the ‘middle of nowhere” this alpine community of approximately 200 people dates from the 1860s including a post office that opened in 1863. Located within the very sparsely populated Alpine County (only approximately 1200 people total live within the county), Markleyville is the largest community. There are no incorporated communities within Alpine County. Compared to South Lake Tahoe which is a major tourist destination both in the winter and summer – refreshingly when one cuts south on Highway 89 the traffic disappears and one finds a Sierra Nevada […]

The post Visit Markleeville, California – January 2022 appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

My first introduction to ski resorts was with my father at a very young age – we would pack into the car and drive several hours to the ski slopes and spend our afternoons combing up and down the slopes for coins and jewelry. Initially it was just walking while carefully studying the ground beneath our feet. You would be surprised what people lost during the ski season – we found beer cans still cold sitting in the snow, capri sun drinks – and other items of value including watches, […]

The post Pursuing Ski Resorts for both Winter and Summer Sports Activities appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

As a natural hot springs enthusiasts we often seek out remote hot springs to visit on our travels – especially on trips to California’s eastern Sierra Nevada mountains and parts of Southern California. Immediately intrigued when this book came across our desk – it highlights numerous hot springs experiences, many of which are under the radar – throughout California and Nevada. Author Bischoff has visited and reviewed more then 100 hot springs throughout these two states – highlighting many of the best sites including both primitive back country pools to […]

The post Touring California and Nevada Hot Springs by Matt C. Bischoff appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

I’ve wanted to visit Tahiti for years but the high cost of airfare has been a barrier to visiting the country. But with recent flights from the west coast of the USA launching earlier this year and prices much more affordable then in the years past, my decision to visit Tahiti became more realistic. The capital city of Papeete is by far the largest city in the country – and yes there is even traffic downtown. But as far as cities go, this is a relatively small one. Renting a […]

The post Tahiti, Exploring this Gem in the Middle of the Southern Pacific Ocean appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.

Nevada’s Oldest Settlement Guarantees a Grand Time in Honoring its Western History with a Three-Day Festival, April 26 – 28, 2019 CARSON VALLEY – Nevada’s oldest permanent settlement, Genoa, Nevada, honors the area’s rich western heritage with its annual three-day festival returning this spring, April 26 to 28, 2019. Genoa Western Heritage Days is organized by passionate local volunteers and features a full weekend of Native American demonstrations, music, cowboy poetry, historic tours and events to celebrate Genoa’s Native American and pioneer history. Historic Genoa, in the heart of legendary […]

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Lake Tahoe is truly a not-so-hidden gem of the western United States. As one of the largest alpine lakes in the world, there are plenty of fun things to do in Lake Tahoe, in both winter and summer. Our guide below will help you identify 5 Can’t Miss Adventures Near Lake Tahoe! The expansive shores offer plenty of things to do in Lake Tahoe; from spectacular hiking trails, amazing wineries and breweries, homey bars, to towering casinos, all with views to match. For these reasons it retains its well-earned reputation […]

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CARSON VALLEY – Winter in Northern Nevada is in full swing and Carson Valley offers a snow-friendly destination that won’t break the bank. Cozy, seasonal, adventurous, and relaxing – the four communities of Carson Valley have something for the winter-lover in your family. ©Brad Comen for Visit Carson Valley Easy to find, hard to forget Carson Valley is situated 45 minutes south of the Reno International Airport, 20 minutes east of Lake Tahoe and just over 200 miles from San Francisco. While Carson Valley is easy to find and close […]

The post Discover Carson Valley, a Legendary Snow-filled Destination That’s High on Fun and Low on Crowds appeared first on Dave's Travel Corner.