Today is Valentine’s Day, a big day in Tahoe this year because Valentine’s Day is falling on the Presidents’ Day Holiday Weekend.  People are giddy today for all kinds of reasons - they’re with there loved ones, they’re in our beautiful winter wonderland AND they’ve got three day weekends.  No wonder there are so many smiles about the property!

I was going to write a little about the two holidays, but the History Channel’s website has so much information - I’m pointing you in that direction.  Check out this article on the History.com site:  http://www.history.com/content/valentine/history-of-valentine-s-day. 

History.com also has a wonderful video prepared for Presidents’ Day… here’s the direct link to watch it:  http://www.history.com/video.do?name=presidents&bcpid=1766638505&bclid=8696193001&bctid=1416853180 .  Remember when you knew the dates of Lincoln’s Birthday and Washington’s Birthday?  I don’t think I know more than those two, but there’s a great American President’s Gallery on the History.com site if you want to refresh yourself. 

Enjoy the holidays and many hugs and chocolate kisses from Jennifer and all of us here at the Americana.

Kathleen

As I write this post, Victor Sarabia, our Activites Supervisor, is working hard to get everything ready for today’s Superbowl Party.  We’ve got owners who come back every year to be part of the excitement in the Solarium, and what a great way to get to know fellow owners - hooting and hollering together watching the game.  Consider coming up next year; it’s a blast!

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Snow and snowpack is a big deal around here - and not just from the winter sports perspective.  This week the official second snowpack measurement of the winter season occurred, with water content results being reported by California water scientists at 61% of historical average. 

It’s amazing to consider that our beautiful Sierra mountain snow, lakes and rivers serve as the water supply of hundreds of thousands of people. Many a time when my husband and I have been hiking off trail we’ve come upon the public utility markers and equipment that control the delivery of mountain water to the lowlands.  We’ve even occassionally spoken with hydrologists and water managers who keep a close eye on the water accumulation up top that feeds the cities and farmlands far below. (Boy, what dream jobs… hiking through the mountains for a living.)

You can read for yourself what the Ca. State Hydrogologists are reporting in the following articles:

http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20090130/NEWS/901309995&parentprofile=search

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-snowpack30-2009jan30,0,523320.story 

Also, if you’re interested in knowing more details about water reservoirs and the rivers that feed them, you’ll like the data provided on the  Ca. Department of Water Resources website:

http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/reports/EXECSUM

Appreciating the beautiful ”water” and the practical application of the necessary ”water” never ceases to amaze me!

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If you want to see our snowpack… roads are clear and mountains are gleaming white.  Come visit on Bonus Time… just give Jennifer and the Front Desk crew a call at 530.541.8022 eleven days in advance of your travel dates.

See you in Tahoe,

Kathleen