58 degrees offered us a nice warm day to walk up to Five Lakes and take photos looking back at the ski area. Most of the trail is free of snow, but there are definitely places where a thin layer of snow/ice make is slippery. The mountain looks white, but there is not enough snow for skiing yet. We need a good storm or two before putting the boots on and enjoying more than a narrow ribbon of white to enjoy the slopes.
We are mourning the loss of a long time Alpine Meadows employee who passed on early yesterday morning from a snowmobile accident. Brian Gimbert, who was 34 years old and part of the snowmaking team, has moved on to the next world. He will be missed by so many Tahoe locals.
We made or pre-winter trip to our favorite wine tasting area last week enjoying fall views. Trees in full fall color along roads, and vast stretches of colorful vineyards, always add to the fun of tasting wine at our favorite wineries. I think we are well stocked for the winter in the wine category.
Enjoy your day, Andy
We also chose to skip the season openers at Rose and Mammoth and enjoyed one last stretch of fall weather along the coast. News of the tragic accidental death at Alpine Meadows did spread quickly all of the way to the Sonoma County coast. It saddens us to know that Brian gave his life making Alpine Meadows better for each and every one of us. His efforts, and the efforts of all employees are always appreciated and we promise to enjoy the mountain fully for you and others before you.
😢🙏💕
Excellent photos – serene coastal sunset, beautiful fall colors in the foothills, and SNOW at our favorite ski area. Thanks for sharing.
Ok! Where is your favorite wine tasting area?
Hi Carol,
My favorite areas for wine tasting are in El Dorado and Amador Counties. One area in El Dorado County is Fair Play. It is an unincorporated area near Mt. Aukum. I think there are 22 small wineries in the area. What I like about these areas are the friendly people that own or man the tasting rooms and the fact that during the week there are not many people in the tasting rooms. This means I can spend an hour or so chatting with the owner or sommelier who often become friends. It is near a small town of Mt. Aukum (not sure you really call this a town. The others are in the Shenandoah Valley. We have made so many friends that own or work at the wineries over the year that it is just fun to go and taste and spend money on bottles we like. Favorites of ours are: Jeff Runquist Winery, Cooper Vineyards, Iron Hub Winery, Terra Rouge and Easton Winery. Just a few there are so many others.
Looks like Shenandoah Valley. Last weekend was a wonderful time to be there!