Mother nature

Jeanette Champagne doesn't just make her jewelry in Nevada, she often makes it from pieces of Nevada.
“I go out and actually pick up most of the rock I work with, and I work with local rock first,” she said. “It's like redesigning Mother Nature a little bit. I love to do that.”

Lake Tahoe ski resorts are celebrating the arrival of the first snow storm of the season, with several inches having fallen and more on the way. Mother Nature's fall delivery sets the winter season in motion for a promising ski and snowboard season.

Although you might not feel it, the weather is starting to change in North Lake Tahoe. Days are still warm, with temperatures averaging in the 60s, but nights are dropping to approximately 35 degrees. It’s the time of year that the region’s upper elevations may even see a dusting of snow.

“We’ve been reviewing all the long-range forecasts,” said Chief Marketing Officer Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Chamber/CVB/Resort Association. “And if Mother Nature keeps up her end, we should have above-average snowfall this winter.”

It's that time of the year for my reminder to enjoy the spectacular color of the leaves on Quaking aspen trees (Quakies) in Alpine County, Calif.
And, based on our photography trip on Monday, Oct. 8, you had better enjoy that display, as soon as possible, because four of us (Mary Bottoms, Mary Morris, Elaine and I) found the following color conditions:

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of Oct. 10-17.

With Nov. 16 as its opening day, the countdown is on at Heavenly Mountain Resort. From intense competitions and events to the return of the halfpipe, excitement is stirring at Lake Tahoe’s largest winter playground.

Here is this week's fishing report for rivers, lakes and streams in Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra. This report is for the week of May 9, 2012.

Rehabilitated through Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, a total of six orphaned bear cubs have been returned to the wild this spring, ending the California Department of Fish and Game's 2012 yearling bear release program.
The cubs were found in various locations around the state in the summer months of 2011 and were rehabilitated at Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care prior to being judged ready to return to the wild. The state program is ongoing and will continue as new cubs come into the facility.

As Mother Nature likes to remind us, we live in a very windy place.

So, you might be interested in seeing this animated map showing how the wind is blowing nationwide, in real time.

Mother Nature and the lucky Leprechaun found powder at the end of the rainbow with a late season storm that dropped 5-9 feet of new snow at Tahoe South resorts this past weekend, which will provide great spring skiing conditions through Easter and beyond. Forecasts predict sunny skies throughout the week.

February 09, marks a special day in the life of yours truly.

It is my one-year anniversary writing about the Great Outdoors at Internet website Carson Now.

Time certainly flies when you are having fun, and it has been both a totally enjoyable and a totally memorable year of writing about all kinds of activities in the Great Outdoors, both near and far away.

Here is the fishing report for the week of Oct. 26 to Nov. 2. This report covers rivers, streams and lakes in Nevada, the Sierra, Northern California and Southern Oregon.

Here is this week's fishing report through Oc. 26 for Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra and Southern Oregon.

This is my annual reminder for you to enjoy the spectacular displays of the colorful leaves on quaking aspen trees (quakies) at this time of the year.
If you would like to see and/or photograph those colors, here is a list of my top seven, personal favorite locations, all in Alpine County, Calif., in the Woodfords Canyon – Hope Valley – Red Lake areas.
To reach these locations, just drive south from Carson City on a combination of U.S. 395, Nevada S.R. 88 and California S.R. 88.

In Woodford’s Canyon:

It’s that time of the year, once again, to visit a special place known as Apple Hill in the State of California.
If you are a newcomer to this area or if you have never been there, fall is a great time of the year to visit Apple Hill.
And, if you are a newcomer, about now you are probably wondering, “What and where in the heck is Apple Hill?”
Well, the correct answer is: “Apple Hill is not a specific hill or a specific location; on the contrary, it is a large geographic area.”

Last week, I wrote about the large snow drifts and huge snow fields that Elaine and I encountered on our hike toward Winnemucca Lake from the top of Kit Carson Pass on California S.R. 88.

Our purpose for the hike was three-fold: To walk on snow (which we did), to photograph some wildflowers (which we did) and to fish for Brook and Kamloop trout at Winnemucca Lake (which we did not, due to too much snow and too much wind).

This week, I am suggesting that you take the time to hike on that same Winnemucca Lake Trail to admire and photograph the wildflowers.

Here’s how to do so:

Here is the Northern Nevada, Northern California and Sierra fishing report for the week of July 6-13.

By the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association
The Shasta Cascade region comes alive this time of year as vibrant blooming wildflowers show off their stunning colors. Thanks to Mother Nature it should be an excellent year for wildflower viewing due to all of the snow and rain fall the area has received. The best time for wildflower viewing is normally during the months of April through June in the lower elevations, and June through August in the higher elevations.

Here is the Northern Nevada, Northern California and Sierra fishing report for the week of June 8-14:

Here is this week's fishing Report for the week of June 1-7 for Northern Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra:

Mother Nature not only rained on their parade, she had the audacity to snow on it Saturday.While a full-blown snowstorm was not in force, the air was frigid and snow flurries swirled around the ...

With the weather we've been having this spring, I thought it was time we help Mother Nature "spring" into action, so I'm going to share with you one of my most requested recipes, which just so h...

Here is this week's fishing report for the week of May 25 through Memorial Day weekend. The report is for rivers, streams and lakes in Northern Nevada, Northern California and the Sierra.

Here is the Northern Nevada, Northern California and Southern Oregon fishing report for the week of May 18-25:

Here is the fishing report for the week of May 11-18. This report covers lakes, rivers and streams throughout Nevada, Northern California, the Sierra, and Southern Oregon.

ALMANOR LAKE, CALIF:
Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association (530) 365-7500 reports:
Water surface temperature is at 48 degrees. Water clarity has improved in most areas to 6.5 ft to 8 ft. The word is excellent.

For all of you muscle-powered enthusiasts, Jeff Moser at bikecarson.com spells out in words and photos the weather dynamics of February, which made for some great spring-like riding and hiking. That is until Mother Nature reminded us that even Punxsutawney Phil is prone to judgement lapses. Welcome to déjà vu all over again. Click here for the story and photos.

Winter finally paid a visit to Carson City. After six weeks of Spring time throughout January and February, Mother nature finally decided to wake up and dump some snow on us. And it was a good size dumping too, at least 6 inches, more in some parts of town. We went to Lake Tahoe and I sunk in fresh powder up to my thigh! But it’s good to finally get some snow, even though we were getting a taste of Spring and got used to it. We’re having a few sunny days now, so all the ice can melt off the roads, but by Thursday we’re supposed to be back under the grip of another storm system. I wonder how long winter will last this year? For more photos go to aroundcarson.com.

The V&T engine derailed last night at about 6:30 near Gold Hill after a series of heavy rains produced micro-mudslides, many of which may have flowed onto the V&T Railroad tracks.

Two recent snowmakers have left additional snow in the Sierra, bringing snowwater levels along the Carson River to 107% of normal.

Though Northern Nevada is not out of the woods for large earthquakes, there is a potential for seismically-charged shakers for the region, says Cal Orey, a Lake Tahoe earthquake intuitive, who predict