SNOLO: what?

      There's a little buzz about the Basin over a new sled.  Buzz about a new sled design.   Buzz about a sled revolution.  Of course we've heard this before-SEGUE!  Now sledding is popular, wherever one finds ice and snow.  The thrill of a fast ride with the rider in close contact with the ground, or proximity to the ground(zip lines) is almost universal.
     A review by respected columnist Dan O'Neil of a SNOLO made for interesting copy.  Complete with photos of his adventure, he put the SNOLO to the test.
     Results: not so good.  Seems to be some issues, such as control.  Maybe this is the issue: lack of control.  Made of light weight metals and laminated carbon fiber overlaid with epoxy, the sled appears as a potential "good ride".  Alas, not according to our daring reviewer.  And then, there's the price.
     Dan mentions the price: $3000.  Then emphasizes the price:$3000.  And again.  No doubt making a strong point that the sled was poorly designed and outrageously over priced.
    Don't look for a SNOLO on any nearby resort slopes.  The issue of stopping in a timely manner was also mentioned.  Skiers and sleds have never really mixed satisfactorily anywhere.   And not here either.  Check it out in the Wall St. Journal.

Aviation Business Update

     The Minister of Manufacturing visited this weekend, appearing in NorCal for a conference on custom designed, specialized auto manufacturing(TESLA?).  The preferred conversation centered on the problems at BOEING Aircraft with their Dreamliner-the 787.   The fleet was recently grounded worldwide because of issues related to the onboard batteries made of lithium/ion. 
      Millions if not billions of dollars are at stake, as the world leader in aircraft production grapples with this minor/major problem.  It boils down to : cause and effect-what are they?  Much as been said and discussed with leading scientists and industrial engineers working around the clock for acceptable solutions.  The problem is overheating and related smoke and fire.
     In the meantime, the aircraft are being shunted to parking pads at various facilities around the world, waiting for clearance to resume operations. We can only hope this problem is solved sooner rather than later.  For all involved.
     The Minister did note a bright spot at BOEING: the model 737 is ramping up for expansion of production!  Good news for all California companies involved.

Movie Review: ARGO

       Went to a big screen location to view a much-talked about film directed by the actor, Ben Affleck.  The story is based on events that took place in real life 32 years ago in Tehran, Iran.   Jimmy Carter was president, in the last year of his  4 yr. term.  The Shah of Iran had been overthrown and was now in the USA, seeking care for his terminal illness.
       Mobs in the streets of Tehran approached the US Embassy, demanding the return of the Shah for trial.  With boldness and aggressive force, the crowd forced its way into the embassy and gathered all the employees and security forces and removed them.  All but 6.
      The movie chronicles the hiding and narrow escape of the 6.  The remaining hostages were held in captivity for 444 days before their release the day after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated.  The 6 sought refuge in the Canadian embassy and were concealed at the ambassador's residence.  2 CIA operatives were able to connect with them and lead them on a path to freedom, back to the USA via Switzerland and Canada.  Mr. Affleck did a credible job as director, and a good job as an actor in the lead role of Antonio Mendez, the real life agent.   Tonight's Academy Awards may feature Mr. Affleck on the receiving end of an Oscar.

Snowing-Remember?

Yes, snowing; not man made. Real Snow.  Forgot how to put on chains?  Took off the studded tires?
It is still winter and will continue to be winter for awhile.   Get out there and have some fun in the powder.  Reports put 6" to 1' of new powder, the natural kind, on the ground above 7000'.
Enjoy......

Mt. Etna Getting Active

         Maybe we should say more active.  The mayor and Company went to Sicily ten years ago on a vacation in the shadow of Etna.  Taormina, the old Roman city is close by, on the east coast of the island.  We visited the volcano by driving up the slope almost to the summit.  It was a clear day, except for the billowing, light smoke carried by the prevailing west wind that pushed the plume down the mountain to the coast, just south of Taormina.
        We couldn't drive to the summit, but took a ski chairlift almost to the rim where snow often falls in winter months.   The small lodge was abandoned, having been engulfed by a lava flow a few years earlier.  The noise was incredible, sounding to these ears like heavy artillery.  Enough to give one pause before going further.   It was an interesting experience, very Italian.   I wouldn't want to live in the shadow of this famous mountain, almost as famous as Mt. Vesuvius, its near neighbor in Napoli.

Meteors Over the Mountain

     Yes, it happened, but not over our Lake.  A sizable meteor put on a flashy display over the Ural Mountains of Eurasia(the range divides the land mass into Asia and Europe).   Video captured its descent through the atmosphere in close-up detail.   It landed with a bang.  A big bang- over 1000 people were slightly injured, most by the sonic boom when the "rock" broke the sound barrier prior to impact.  Fortunately, no one was killed.
     Earlier in the week, astronomers noted another, larger meteor would pass close by without any impact.  It was a "close call" according to scientists around the world.   All this activity gave rise to news stories:  can earthlings protect themselves from falling extraterrestrials? Do we need to care?  Do we have missiles that can do the job?
     About the same time, news reports(60 Minutes) did a story on Israel's missile shield that protects the country from missiles fired from GAZA by Hezbollah.  Interesting technology, and expensive.
Not that much of this affects Tahoma.......

Soda Springs Hideout

     A recent newspaper article highlighted a living situation in Soda Springs, CA.   Here a noted snowboarder has built himself a cabin out of local materials: granite boulders and rocks; fir, cedar, and pine lumber taken from the site; and all without the benefit of utilities-he's off the grid!
     He purchased the 40 acres over 5 years ago(good time to buy) and does not have the benefit of paved access.   So he uses the cabin as he can, providing heat via his own wood- splitting effortsand a wood burning, efficient fireplace.    He does have a hot tub on the deck, heated by a wood fired heater.
     He claims the isolation provides mental rejuvenation and a great alternative to the house down the mountain in Auburn.   Check out the article in the WSJ.

Photo Op-No. 1 -Horsetail Falls

      Many Tahoe visitors pass through Truckee on their way to the Lake.  Often they will stop for lunch and a stroll through Old Town to soak in some local color, watch a train labor out of the station/depot.  Some make it to the Carmel Gallery at the east end of town.
     The Carmel Gallery is a is a visual feast of landscape photography, the work of Robert Carmel and his wife.   Both are noted photographers, specializing in natural landscapes, especially here in the Sierra, and of course, Lake Tahoe.
     As noted in today's Chronicle(Sun. 2/17), Horsetail Falls in Yosemite Valley puts on a brief but spectacular visual show.  For about a week, until next Sunday, the 23rd, the setting sun rays illuminate the falls briefly, resembling molten metal.  It reminds us oldtimers of the famous firefalls that occurred(with help from hotel owners) on summer evenings from 1872 until 1968.
      If you can't make Yosemite, find a copy of the Carmel photos: any one would be amazing, especially if there's a bit of snow on the shoulders of El Capitan.

Sunny Weather

    This report is getting boring.  More spring like conditions forecast for the next week.  Will it ever snow again?  Thank the resorts for their investments in state of the art snow-making equipment.  It's paying for itself this season!
    Enjoy the lack of crowds, the nice weather and Valentine's Day!  Roses?Anyone.

State of the Union per Obama

       President Obama spoke to the nation last night, outlining some of his plans for his second term.  Some highlights included goals of Immigration reform, an oft discussed topic that has yielded little but hot air since Reagan's IRCA of 1986.  Will 2013,'14,'15,'16 be the time for action?  Many questions remain unanswered.  He spoke at length of gun control, a topic of almost as much discussion as immigration.  The gallery was peppered with victims, victims families, and heroes, too.
     The economy, current and future, seemed to come and go, as the President offered bits and pieces of measures to improve the slow growth conditions that exist across the country that continues to experience 7.9% unemployment.
    His oratory continues to impress observers, and Mr. Obama appears to feel more comfortable in his role as chief executive of the the world's only super power.

       Highlighted pols included generals of the Joint Chiefs; the Supremes, who include Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the cancer survivor; John Kerry, the new Secretary of State; Leon Panetta, the outgoing Secretary of Defense; Veep Joe Biden and House leader, John Boehner(co-presiding); and Obama's wife Michelle.  Senators and Representatives alike seemed to be enjoying the televised event.
     It was a hot ticket and security was obviously tight.   The GOP counterpoint was given by Florida Senator Marco Rubio, the handsome young Cuban American.  His eloquent presentation was given high praise, especially when he gave another version in Spanish, a hint of GOP efforts to bridge the cultural divide that cost them the White House in the 2012 election.

Sugar Bowl Expands

      Privately owned Sugar Bowl Ski Resort announced the acquisition of  Royal Gorge Cross- Country land.  In conjunction with the Land Trust,  Sugar Bowl will soon offer new trails and recreation activities for cross country skiers, snow shoers, and hikers.  In addition to the new trails, some real estate development will occur.  Some homes will be built as seasonal ski-in locations during winter months.
     CEO, Rob Kautz, expressed his wish for a highly competitive resort on a par with some of the big corporate locations at Squaw Valley, NorthStar, and Heavenly Valley.  Sugar Bowl boasts the highest seasonal snow depth at +500 inches per year.  Facing northwest is a distinct advantage, as is the high base elevation of 7000'.   Sugar Bowl is the first resort off I-80, eastbound as skiers head into the Sierra from the Valley and the Bay Area.  Sugar Bowl is 180 miles from San Francisco.  A village-type resort is not in the cards since over 50 % of daily guests return to other locations/primary residences.   They will not try to compete on that level as it is seen as unnecessary.
     Might have to check out the new trails sometime in the spring!

Donner Lake: All Iced Up in February

      Beautiful day around the Basin yesterday, and the Mayor made a run over to Truckee.   It was about 54 degrees at noon on West River St.  Not bad for the middle of winter.   While in the vicinity, I wanted to get a close up look of Donner Lake, so I drove over to West End Beach, off Donner Pass Rd.(opposite end from Donner Party monument).   Sure enough, ICE!
      Now, it did not appear thick across the lake, but it did appear to have some tracks of "skates" across the surface.  Recently, in the Sierra Sun paper, local public safety officers urged caution near or about the iced surface.   No doubt, wise counsel.   Lack of wind, very cold temperatures, short days, and long shadows all contribute to local conditions conducive to the formation of lake surface ice.
     Shortly after leaving the lake shore, I drove to the vista point overlook on I 80. From there one can see most of the lake and the various thickness differentials quite easily.   It almost looks like a checker board of ice blocks, end-to-end.   Perhaps conditions will persist, perhaps not: depends on the weather.
     In the meantime, maybe visitors who have ice dreams should tie off with a nice long, stout rope prior to venturing forth on Donner Lake.

Lord Julian Fellowes- Downton Abbey creator

       If you follow Masterpiece Theater at all, you are familiar with "Downton Abbey", the TV saga  into its 3rd season on PBS.   Never being one to rush into anything, the Mayor was late to the game and late to become a fan of this British import that has proven to be a great success in America as well as the UK and other climes.
      A fine interview was published in the WSJ that was written by Raymond Zhong, editorial writer for the WSJ Europe.  It it, Lord Fellowes explains his upbringing which served as the basis for his curiosity regarding the life depicted and the characters encountered in this wonderful series that invades the privacy of His Lordship, the Earl of Downton, Robert Crawley, and his family: his wife, Lady Cora, and their three daughters: Mary, the eldest, Edith the middle child, and Sybil, the youngest.   Overlaid are the members of the household staff, directed by Mr. Carson, the butler.
     It seems that Lord Fellowes grew up with a link to aristocrats of the English gentry through his father's line, while his mother was of more "common" ancestry, born into the upper-middle-class from less than noble farmers and traders.  Oh, dear!  But she did produce four sons and that fact stood for something.
     He is enjoying his success after yeoman service writing.  His screen play for "Gosford Park" won an academy award in 2001.   After that came 2 best-selling novels, several more screen plays, and now"Downton".  "Downton Abbey" has been a huge hurricane," says Lord Fellowes.  The British press has ripped him for snobbery; but then they rip all Brits for everything!
     The third season is proving as magnetic as the first two. Bravo Lord fellowes.