The Labor Day 2006 Weekend Mystery

      by Ed Martin.         All photos

The mountains offer us so much, from the beauty and excitement of the winter snow to the - well beauty again - and relaxing pleasure of summer. Of course summer can be exciting too but for most of Labor Day Weekend’s participants relaxation was the byword. Not that that means doing nothing. Myrna had researched a number of options for our participation, including evening shows and dancing. Also Kings Beach has a small art and craft show at the north end on the beach over the Labor Day holiday.

For Marian and I the weekend started Friday afternoon, we arrived just as Karin and her daughters were bicycling back from the beach in bathing suits and shorts. Wow! We were behind already. As the evening progressed we welcomed arrivals with Myrna’s special homemade lentil/rice/onion soup. One of Après’ many hidden pleasures developed; catching up on old friends and solving every conceivable world and social problem. Don’t worry; I’m sure we missed a few to solve in the future.

Saturday was action day one, the "classic" bike ride along the Truckee River Trail; we rode from the Sheriff’s parking lot to Squaw Valley Village. Four of us took our picnic lunch and enjoyed it with coffee at Starbucks.

This is the easiest of rides, just 21 miles, but our relaxed pace left insufficient time to continue to Sunnyside. However we did drop by Commons Beach in Tahoe City and Marian and I found time for a Tahoe swim. The lake was definitely a "stay in for a while" temperature but John and Joe were getting impatient for cocktails so we left in a timely fashion. Others spent Saturday river rafting, swimming or hiking. As many of you know, the Truckee River raft is more fun than challenge.

Dinner is always best after a day of fresh air and activity and you can't beat barbecue to fill the bill, especially with John’s special burgers and red and white wine to help them down. Accompaniments included marinated potato/vegetable salad, BBQ beans and 2 different kinds of tossed green salad. I hardly dare mention we finished up with 3 different kinds of fruit pie and ice cream. We stayed out in the lodge’s picnic area until well after dark, warmed by Sandy’s donated outdoor fire grate.

Sunday we again disbursed in small groups, each to take up their favored pastime. For Myrna, Marian, John and me it was the Shirley Lake hike. But first John showed us his "other club" at Squaw. Perhaps I shouldn’t say this in an Après publication but I was most impressed. But also remember, John is a member of Après too and regularly stays at our lodge so we’ve obviously got something - camaraderie according to John. My past memory of the Shirley Lake hike was of sun exposure but my memory was a little exaggerated; a good part of the hike is shaded and as it turned out the day wasn’t too hot. Shirley Lake had more water that I’d seen before, plenty enough for a swim, but sadly none of our group joined me. I had to be content with the two pretty girls that happened by. And in the evening the dinners continued with beef and/or chicken fajitas, Mexican rice and beans with cheese, homemade guacamole and all the trimmings. Salad accompanied and a variety of cheesecake and ice cream followed. How could I forget the Margaritas, they flowed steadily. And of the guacamole, Myrna continuously looked for leftovers - of course there were none.

Monday was a water day for many of us in the form of kayaking. We rented right off Kings Beach and most of us paddled north almost to Secret Beach. We were just charged for an hour even though we pushed it a bit. Of course there was more swimming for those of us that enjoy the clear fresh Tahoe water. I know that doesn’t sound like much for a whole day but the Labor Day holiday stands for No Labor.

Ah! I nearly forgot - the Labor Day Weekend Mystery. The mystery is: "why wasn’t the lodge bulging with bodies". Make no mistake, our little group of 17 enjoyed every minute but I’m sorry for those members who couldn’t join us. Our lodge offers a bargain holiday with loads of summer activities on our doorstep. Don’t miss out next time, there is a chance for 2006, sign up for the Swiss Fondue.