Hiking Around Reno/Tahoe #2

#2 Whitescreek Trailhead to Dry Pond

On our last hike to Church's Pond area we met a gal who suggested another jaunt up the adjacent mountain called Whites Creek loop with an optional cut-off to Dry Pond.  It wasn't supposed to be as strenuous or long.  I'm game.  So, again we packed a lunch, lots of water and set off on another hike.

We had hiked (more like a walk in the forest) this trail before which meanders next to the creek for about the first mile.  The upper portion, after approximately 1.1 miles, continues to the top and connects to Jones creek and Church's pond cut-off.  No thanks, I'll pass!  We decided to try the way to Dry Pond which was around 5 miles round trip.  How bad could it be?

Once you get to the bridge that crosses the creek,  you begin the ascent and encounter a few switchbacks until you reach the summit where the views are breathtaking.  The trail is narrow so you need to watch out for mountain bikers.   This time of year the wildflowers dot the landscape....lupines and Indian paintbrushes....beautiful!

We reached our destination without incident, enjoyed our lunch, relaxed a bit and began our descent.  Going down can be a little treacherous with all the loose gravel covering the trail, slip and slide time!  I would repeat this trail.  For me, it was the right amount of uphill.  (I didn't feel as if I was going to croak!)  Instead of going back the same way, you could continue the "loop" which leads to the adjacent creek, Thomas creek, but then you would need to backtrack to where you parked your car. 

I think I'm getting acclimated to higher altitude and uphill climbs.  We'll see...stay tuned for the next BIG HIKE!

Pictures never do the actual beauty justice.

On the narrow trail

At Dry Pond

Views towards Washoe Valley 

Majestic views

Whitescreek faux fishing

Hiking Around Reno/Tahoe 1

As promised, I'm hiking the trails around Reno/Tahoe and living to tell you.  Sometimes, barely living, with lung busting gusto!  Our first "serious" hike of the season, I had this wonderful idea to climb most of the way up the Jones/Whites creek trail leading up to Church's Pond.  The beginning mileage had already been accomplished on a previous trip.  We were erroneously told that we had conquered the "worst" part!  I'd love to run into those folks, probably all of 20 something and compare notes.

Remember, I purchased a guidebook of the trails in the whole area.  They recommend that this loop be done counterclockwise from the beginning on the Whites creek trail.  Supposedly, it would be less strenuous.  (The trail was classified as "strenuous!)   What does this mean?  We would soon find out.

We packed a lunch, a few fig bars and plenty of bottled water and set off early.  We decided to go up Jones creek to Church's pond, have lunch and return the same way.  Piece of cake, right?  The first mile or so was easy and then there was that "worst" part.  Only problem was that it continued most of the way pretty much straight up with many switchbacks.  When you reach the ridge you have options.  You can cut off to Church's pond, continue on the loop for the return trip down or go back the way we came.  We chose the later.

I have to say I was extremely proud of what we accomplished since I am not anywhere near tip top shape.  Will I do it again?  Probably not.  There is an expansive grove of lime colored aspen trees lining the creek as we ascended.  I can only imagine how beautiful this area will be in the Fall, so maybe we'll do part of the trip again.

So, now I know the meaning of a STRENUOUS trail.  It is a relentless, mostly uphill quest with many moments of lung burning bouts interspersed with conversations we had about where we would spread each other's ashes if we failed to make it!  Yep....that's the definition.

NOTE:  Thank you to the elderly gentleman (80ish) who passed us on the way up.  You truly were an inspiration!

almost to the ridge

watch where you walk

view from the ridge looking toward Washoe Valley

no explanation necessary

The views were amazing!

Around Reno/Tahoe

I recently received a request for me to write something in my blog.  As some of you may know, one of my passions is TRAVEL.  I admit there hasn't been much in the last couple of years.  Until this girl is able to throw caution to the wind and get on that plane, I've decided to do the next best thing.  Travel in my own backyard!  

actually my front yard

We live in a very beautiful area at the base of Mt. Rose, approximately 20/25 minutes drive to Lake Tahoe.   Our view of the mountains are truly majestic and hidden hikes are everywhere.  Miles and miles of easy, moderate and strenuous trails are within 5 minutes away.  The reason for my interest/obsession is fourfold.  There is some chatter about preparing for the Inca Trail, a trek to Macchu Picchu which would be a "bucket list" trip of a lifetime.  Isn't it on everyone's?  I think I need some conditioning for this, plus, I would like to survive!  It would be embarassing to have to evacuate from the trek on the back of a llama!  (I do love llamas, though.)

Looks like fun, huh?

 Secondly, I just finished a book about Grandma Gatewood.  Who is that you may ask?  Cliff note version, it's about a 67 year old grandma who literally takes off for a walk by herself on the Appalachia Trail.  The trail happens to be over 2000 miles long, beginning in Georgia and finishing up in Maine.  And she does it with her tennis shoes on!  The third reason.  To get into better shape, drop some poundage (I think I've heard this part before!)  Lastly, I have another book (yes, I'm a bookaholic) which is comprised of most of the hikes in and around Reno and Lake Tahoe.  So, my quest begins...  The goal is to complete most of these hikes.

Now, if you don't mind reading about some great hikes, humor me as I "log" my "travels"  Maybe it will lead to Macchu Picchu or the Camino....   Hope so!  Stay tuned....

Not Gone and Not Forgotten - 2015 In Review

Dear food blog,
Oh, how I've missed you!  I've neglected you for a few months, but, I promise you I have been eating and referring to you for recipes and inspiration.   Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas came and went.  Food was plentiful.  It just didn't make it to these pages.  Historically, I've created blog posts that summarized the year in recipes and pictures.  This year I'll only touch upon the highlights....  The purpose of my blog was to catalog, if you will, some family recipes that I could refer to.  It was a task to even recreate a few because I've ALWAYS been one to NOT to use a recipe, unless baking a treat.  With that said, here is a recap of Food 2015!

With all the cooking I've done over the years (a long time) I still try to have a "bucket list" in the works.  The two that came to fruition this year were a flour less chocolate cake and a wild boar sauce tagliatelle inspired by an Italian journey several years ago.

Tagliatelle with wild boar sauce

Strawberry sheet cake with Lemon cream cheese frosting....the best cake I've EVER made

Roasted tomato soup....at the Deli

Broccoli cheese soup...at the Deli, again

Coconut shrimp scampi...a new experiment!

Maple pancakes...must be on Atkins

Garlic broccolini...why haven't I made this before?

Peruvian Mung beans...gotta travel somehow!

Christmas cannolis...a huge success (from scratch)

Winter soup for all this snowy weather!

So, although the actual blog postings were sparse this year, feel free to browse past recipes.  It's surprising to me still that I wondered how I could come up with more than 75 recipes to fill these pages.  After 5 plus years, Wendys Favorite Place has surpassed well over 500 posts and more to come!

Not Your Dad's Clam Chowder

When the weather turns cooler this is the go-to soup this family enjoys.  It's almost a tradition in itself!  I decided to attempt a more low carb version, that is, minus the potatoes and regular flour.  After a few "test runs"  this was the final version.  I think I like it with cauliflower instead of potatoes.  

The following recipe is definitely not the original.  It's a heavily guarded secret!

Low Carb Clam Chowder

4 slices of bacon, chopped

1/4 c butter 

1/2 yellow onion, chopped

4 celery ribs, chopped

1/2 cauliflower, chopped

2 Tbsp coconut flour (almond flour can also be used)

4 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cups half and half

1 tsp thyme

2 cans chopped clams plus juice

handful of parsley, chopped

Cook bacon in a large soup pot.  Remove when almost done, reserving the grease.  Add the butter and melt on medium heat.  Add the onion, celery and cauliflower, stirring until soft.  Add the flour and stir some more.  Add the broth, half and half, thyme and clam juice and bring to a slow boil, then reduce to simmer (low).  Add the clams and parsley during the last 10 minutes.  Serve immediately or cool down and refrigerate for later or the next day.  This recipe will produce a thinner consistency than traditional clam chowder.  (The potatoes help to thicken it.)  But, it's not lacking in flavor!