Outdoors

It is so hot, even the dragonflies are getting sunburns, as captured in this photo by Carson Now reader Scott McDaniel.

An Excessive Heat Warning and Heat Advisory continue Sunday into Monday evening for the region. The Excessive Heat Warning is for western Nevada, where high temperatures of above 100 are expected.

On Saturday, July 22, 2023, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City will host a Three Shot Sporting Clays Shoot with pump and semi-automatic shotgun classes.

On Sunday, July 16, take a wildflower hike through the Carson Pass at the top of Highway 88.

The flower hike with a docent in Meiss Country beginning at 10 a.m.

Onward to the Carson River to beat the snakes and the heat.

Beginning Monday, July 17, the Blackwell’s Pond Park Playground Project will begin, with completion anticipated in late October, according to Carson City Parks, Recreation and Open Space. The entire playground will be replaced.

There will be a cornhole tournament to benefit the Nevada Agriculture Fair happening this Saturday, July 15 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

I’m discouraged and upset. After using metal drums and troughs to plant vegetables in, putting down cardboard and mulch, and then framing the tubs in with fenced netting (see picture below), a dang ground squirrel still dug underneath the cardboard and fencing. He got into the pot and proceeded to dig up radishes and damage the roots of the zucchini. Fortunately, he ignored the developing squash.

The USDA Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is scheduled to begin thinning trees by hand on Monday, July 10, 2023, on the south end of Prey Meadows north of Glenbrook on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe.

Bring your gardening questions to Carson's Community Garden to get solutions on alternating Saturdays starting July 8, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. Carson City and Storey County Extension Master Gardener interns will be available to examine plant/insect samples, discuss alternatives and provide support for area gardeners, families, and those new to gardening in the region.

It has been a long time coming with the day finally arriving with a celebration Saturday to officially open a trail that connects Carson City to Lake Tahoe.

Over the course of just three hours on the morning of July 5, 402 volunteers cleaned up 8,559 pounds of litter left from Fourth of July celebrations at Lake Tahoe.

Cigarette butts, plastic food wrappers, beach toys and even barbecues were plucked from six popular beach sites, as well as nearby parking lots and streets, around the Tahoe Basin.

Home gardeners can learn more about successful gardening in Nevada as part of the annual University of Nevada, Reno online Home Horticulture Certificate Program, with registrations open now through July 28.

Lake Tahoe boat inspections have been keeping invasive species off of boats entering the lake for years, and a new tool for keeping them off non-motorized watercraft is now available and on display in South Lake Tahoe.

Drivers Beware. Throughout the year the Lake Tahoe Basin experiences fluctuations in the number of visitors and vehicle traffic. The winter ski and summer recreation seasons bring more vehicles to the Tahoe Basin, which increases the risk of bears being struck by vehicles. Bear-vehicle collisions pose a risk to bears, people and property.

Hello fellow anglers. A very happy Independence day to all.

​The July 4th weekend means an increase in boating activity on Nevada’s waters. Unfortunately, it also means an increase in drinking related accidents as well. That's why game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), along with law enforcement agencies from across the state, will be out in force this holiday weekend (July 1-4) targeting boaters operating under the influence (OUI) as part of Operation Dry Water.

Local trail enthusiasts are invited to join Muscle Powered, Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space, Nevada State Parks, Visit Carson City and the U.S. Forest Service to celebrate the opening of the Capital to Tahoe Trail.

Planting is one of the more enjoyable, fairly easy tasks for a gardener. Yes, digging a big hole for a tree can be challenging, but putting small plants in prepared ground is a delight. The never-ending work is the day-to-day maintenance tasks to keep a garden or landscape in order.

The Carson City Historical Society announces a free Carson City Historical Society East Side Tour on Saturday, June 24. The community is invited to come along with Donna McLaren and Bernie Allen for a walk through the historic east side of town.

Girls on the Run Sierras is a social emotional learning program that was established in the area in 2007. This year, GOTR is bringing a week-long, half-day summer camp to Carson City for the first time this August. The camp will be from August 7-11 at the Carson City Community Center and registration for Camp GOTR is open.

I was back at my friend Pat’s house this week after seeing her “mini arboretum” last week. This time Pat gave me a guided tour of her plantings. I noticed she had numerous varieties of penstemon.

An unprecedented group of Lake Tahoe destination management, land management, and non-profit organizations launched the Lake Tahoe Destination Stewardship Plan on Tuesday with the signing of an agreement to create the first destination stewardship council for the greater Tahoe region.

Beautiful sky the other night.

All aboard the Star-Spangled Murder Mystery Train for a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. Enjoy libations and appetizers served on board the train while a live murder mystery show is played out during your round trip from the historic Virginia City Depot to Gold Hill and back. 

Carson City Fire Department and multiple agencies are hosting a Wildfire Preparedness Workshop for the community. With the long winter of rain and snow, we have the potential for a busy fire season. Residents are encouraged to register for the free workshop to help prepare for wildfires in our community.

By popular demand, Capitol City Gun Club in Carson City is extending it hours on Wednesday and Thursday evenings through the remainder of the Summer. Gates open at 9 a.m. and will close promptly at 8 p.m. Normal hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.

Beautiful colors make a postcard Sunset Saturday eve over Carson City.

I took this at Taste of Downtown on Saturday in Carson City.

Looking west at 9:10 p.m. Saturday night.

The sunset Tuesday night from Roop Street in Carson City.