Lake Tahoe’s Declining Clarity

by Neil Woodburn on

One of California’s most spectacular tourist destinations is the wonderful Lake Tahoe. California has thousands of lakes, but Tahoe is the state’s crown jewel. Sure, it’s beautiful and majestic, but what really makes it stand out from so many other lakes is the purity of its waters. Lake Tahoe is one of the clearest bodies of water on this planet with visibility stretching up to 100 feet.

Unfortunately, visibility has been slowly declining in the last number of years and today it stands at just 74 feet–still wonderfully clear, but sadly indicative of a growing problem. And, according to a recent LA Times article, it may only get worse.

There are currently plans to greatly increase the number of watercraft accessories over the next 22 years until there are 1,000 piers, 6,300 buoys and 3,000 boat slips surrounding the lake. Conservationists are concerned that such a drastic increase will result in far more boating activities on the lake, and as a result, a further muddying of the waters. Naysayers, claim otherwise, noting that the lake is too deep to be affected by a 30% increase in boating.

Whatever the eventual outcome of developers, I have a horrible feeling that it does not bode well for the clear waters of Tahoe. We can only hope that the isolation of Lake Baikal–Tahoe’s sister lake in Siberia and the clearest in the world–will escape similar damage.

Aspen Suffering Global Warming Bouts

by Neil Woodburn on

Well, the ski season has picked up a bit in the last few weeks as storms began pounding the east coast of America prompting Global Warming naysayers to cry out, “I told you so!”

Global Warming is far from over, however. MSNBC just did a short bit on the effect it is having on the world-famous ski slopes of Aspen, Colorado.

The theme of the article tackles a commonly heard argument normally tossed out by the less informed. “So what if the world’s temperature jumps up one degree. What’s the big deal about one degree?”

Well, in the world of ski resorts, one degree can be the difference between making snow and not making snow. As the temperature hovers just above freezing, snow makers sit and wait for it to drop. If it doesn’t, there is no snowmaking to be had. Places like Aspen usually rely on a base of manmade snow to help the natural stuff stick better and stick around for longer. Global Warming is making this more and more difficult.

The good news is that Aspen, now very cognizant of the effects of mankind upon our changing environment (as well as their bottom line profits), is doing their part to help. For example, the mountain’s slope-grooming snowcats are now powered with biodiesal fuel.

Sometimes it takes a hit in the pocket book and the fear of losing paying customers to jump on board the conservation bandwagon. Hats off to Aspen for making the effort.

100 Places Every Woman Should Go

by Willy Volk on

Hey, ladies, when you finish reading Wanderlust and Lipstick, here’s another title for you: 100 Places Every Woman Should Go. Written by Stephanie Elizondo Griest, the book is meant to serve as both inspiration and guidebook.

Divided into sections (“Places Where Women Made History,” “Places of Indulgence,” “Places of Adventure,” etc.), the book documents places where being a woman is affirmed and confirmed, and where you will be energized and impassioned.

Encouraging women of all ages to break out of their comfort zones and see the world — in a group, with a friend, or solo — 100 Places highlights 100 special destinations and challenging activities: from diving for pearls in Bahrain; to racing a camel across Mongolia; to dancing with voodoo priestesses in Benin; to taking a mud bath in a volcano off the coast of Colombia. I’m not a woman, and I think the list sounds pretty cool. Maybe I should pick up a copy “for my wife.”

If you want to learn more about Stephanie and her book, check out World Hum’s excellent interview with her, or read the Q&A on her website.

[Via Written Road]

Women’s History Month: Susan B. Anthony’s House

by Jamie Rhein on

March is National Women’s History Month. With this year’s theme, “Generation’s of Women Moving History Forward,” here’s a hooray to the house of the woman who gave the women’s rights movement its early momentum.

Even though the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin isn’t made anymore due to its lack of success, the Susan B. Anthony House in Rochester, N.Y. is a gem. Okay, I confess; I haven’t been there, but I am a proud dues paying member. Susan B. Anthony, civil rights leader, women’s rights activist and all around terrific gal was a close friend to Frederick Douglass. Between them, they helped change American history.

Anthony lived in this house when she was at her activist best. She was even arrested here after she voted. You have to love an upstart. Besides touring the house to see how she lived, there are exhibits that highlight her life and work. Each month there is a lecture and luncheon as well. If you don’t have time to hop on over to Rochester any time soon, you can tour the house on the website. It’s pretty nifty. Each room will come up and then the camera pans each.

In case you want a Susan B. Anthony dollar. Keep your eye out. The last 41,368,000 were minted in 1999, but they are still circulating.

Thelma & Louise Travel Club (Women Only)

by Neil Woodburn on

The Thelma & Louise Club: A great name for a great club.

This online community site is home to female travelers seeking others who share the same mindset. The best thing about the site is that female subscribers can use the service to find female travel companions. I have many single female friends who always want to travel but never want to go alone. Now I can point them in the right direction to find travel buddies.

The site also offers a handful of informative travel articles as well as some very cool adventure trips such as trekking in Iceland and cycling India. Wow. Better get some insurance just in case the trips include shooting a man and driving off a cliff in a convertible.