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ABOUT TAHOE CITY
Contributed by Robert Frohlich

Washoe tribesmen named their campsite on the northwest corner of Lake Tahoe "Daubey Odu¹ E¹" roughly translated to mean "running over," referring to the abundance of fish and game they roasted over their hot camp fires. Native Americans, explorers, surveyors and trappers all tried their hands, but the area¹s true wealth wasn¹t tapped until 1864, when after the closing of the nearby Squaw Valley mining operations, remaining prospectors laid out a town at the mouth of Lake Tahoe¹s only river, which they christened Tahoe City.

Located 15 miles from the town of Truckee and I-80 corridor, Tahoe City¹s miles of shoreline rest both north and west along the grandest of alpine lakes. Originally constructed as a port of call and "end of the line" for the Lake Tahoe Railway and Transportation Company, Tahoe City¹s bustling settlement has historically been a gateway to the Tahoe Basin.

Time has chiseled away at some of the edges of its history it¹s still a "city" in name only - but its huge array of year-round activities, including snowsports in winter, and hiking, camping, fishing, and water sports in summer, continue to make Tahoe City a town of quixotic charm. One of the West Coast¹s most popular destinations, Tahoe City is a hot vacation getaway, but the people who live here will tell you that its bending waters and welcome center for adventure has always been magically languid. Time is, well, a fluid concept.

"The Tahoe City area offers a little bit of everything," explains Dave Wilderotter, owner of Tahoe Dave¹s Skis and Boards, a popular downtown business. "On one hand you have its shops and restaurants and live entertainments. The area also offers more relaxing and quiet pleasures. More than anything Tahoe City is headquarters for fantastic watersports and snowsports."

Surrounded by mountains of granite covered with a fine growth of pine, fir and cedar, the Tahoe City thoroughfare wraps around the lake¹s shimmering surfaces in a kaleidoscope of pearl, pink, amethyst and cobalt blue. Crisp and clear, the smooth waters of Lake Tahoe offer countless diversions within Sierra Nevada splendor.

Wintertime enthusiasts carve turns on some of North America¹s greatest slopes found at nearby Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows. Equally, Tahoe City¹s backcountry and Nordic resorts increasingly provide customers with a huge array of winter-vacations options.

Summer months fisherman can wet their line to catch the Mackinaw, German Brown and Rainbow trout. From The Tahoe City Marina, professional fishing guides are available for half day or full day trips.

Wakeboarders, waterskiers and kayakers enjoy untethered fun cutting over the lake¹s enormous surface. From May to October at the Tahoe City Marina visitors are also welcomed aboard the 50-foot high performance sailboat "Tahoe Cruz," and 38- ton motorized "Tahoe Gal" for charters, romantic dinner cruises and memorable viewing of Lake Tahoe.

"It¹s a giant lake. Being on its water changes your relationship with the surrounding mountains forever: Tahoe¹s unfolding beauty is nowhere else so purely revealed," says Captain Mike Pavel of the Tahoe Cruz.

Come evening, views from Tahoe City¹s shoreline soak in the sweep of the sky where high alpine Alpenglow changes from vermilion to yellow to indigo before burning off into the roof of the world.

"Tahoe City offers activities that everyone can participate in. It¹s wonderful place to spend time with the family, enjoy world-class recreation, or just relax and enjoy nature. It¹s a great playground," says Dave Wilderotter.