Once again I decided to head to Echo Lakes for some snowshoeing. It was a gloriously beautiful day. I headed up the trail toward the lakes, my first destination was the spillway where I would stop for lunch and figure out the plan for the rest of my excursion. I was playing it by ear, following whatever whim that may come my way. After I chowed down and took in the spectacular view I went up to the vista point that overlooks Lake Tahoe. From there I turned back toward Echo Lakes and looked out into the distance to the opposite end of Lower Echo Lake. I decided then and there that I would circumnavigate it. The south facing slopes of the mountains had scarce amounts of snow so I ended up taking off my snowshoes and hiking part of the way instead. In a few places I ventured cross country and ended up bush shoeing instead of snowshoeing, walking along the tops of thick robust bushes that had only a dusting of snow on them. I eventually reached the inlet that connects Upper and Lower Echo Lake and crossed a shallow spot with no problems. Once I was on the north facing slopes it was like a different world. The temperature dropped by more than a few degrees and I was plunged into shadows. The snow was several feet deep. I followed tracks others had left, a few times I found myself on steep slopes hoping they didn't give way and send me sliding toward the mostly frozen lake. As I neared the end of the lake where I started I saw a few people ice fishing and decided to drop down to the lake and walk it's icy surface. I listened intently for the dreaded crack indicating a chilly unwanted swim may be in store. On the final leg of my journey back to the trail head I spotted a snowman someone had made, complete with a bright orange road cone for a hat. I laughed and reminded myself that we should always look for the humorous in life and not take things too seriously.

Lower Echo Lake

     After over a month on dry land I took the Bold Venture out, with a hearty band of adventurers. It was South Fork winter rafting at it's best! Granted, it's a lot colder than it is during the normal rafting season, but the payoff is almost no one else is on the water. It's a lot quieter, more serene, and there's no lines to get into the rapids. It gives everything more of a sense of being in the wild and allows me to enjoy my surroundings a bit more. We weren't in any particular hurry and decided to stop for a bit on a small beach and enjoy the sun when it showed up miraculously from behind the clouds. We piled back into the boat and descended into The Gorge. We flowed smoothly through every rapid, hitting every wave just right. An apt metaphor for the day, everything was just right.

The crew of the Bold Venture entering Lost Hat

     Onto this week's installment of the worlds most annoying photo project. That's right! It's time for a selfie! This one was taken at Lower Echo Lake, during the aforementioned adventure. I hope you enjoy this latest irksome segment of my ongoing photographic enterprise!

Selfie #3

     Until next week my loyal readers, get out there and live your life to the fullest. And in case you forgot how: