Monday 5/14/2012
On our 3rd day trip in Lake Tahoe, we drove back up the west side of the lake back to Eagle Falls. |
The falls didn't show up in the picture as well as what we could see. Best views are from the parking lot at Vikingsholm Castle, like I showed pictures of it in the previous blog. |
We had perfect weather while in the area, with high 60's and low 70's in the day and high 40's and low 50's at night. Blanket weather at night. |
There are castle tours, but the tours don't open until May26. Castle tours end September 30th for the year. |
We started our hike down. |
Good views of Fannette Island as we walk down the trail. |
The trail has switch backs down the mountain. You can see a person in red on the trail below from where we are. |
Entrance into the courtyard of the castle. |
During the building of the castle, there were over 200 artisans working on it. They had to be housed and feed during the construction on site. |
Joe entering into the courtyard from the tunnel entrance. |
The building behind the castle were roofed with wild flowers and sod. |
Close up of the roof. |
View of the front of the castle. |
Front door of castle. |
Close up of artisan woodwork. |
This plaque was sitting in the courtyard, telling us how the park acquired the castle. |
There is a outside hallway that divides the main castle from the maids quarters. |
View of the hall and doorways to the maid quarters. |
We walked through the outdoor hallway to the side of the castle and walked around to the lakeside. |
Lakeside view of Vikingsholm Castle. Lora Knight built this castle as her summer retreat. Work was done only during the summers of 1928 and 1929. Emerald Bay reminded her of a Norwegian fjords |
Mrs. Knight had the tea house built on Fennette Island, and about 2 times a year, she took her guests out there by boat for tea. |
Looking back to Vikingsholm Castle. Vikingsholm means Vikings Bay. |
Joe and I wonder what the wood box on the second floor was about and inside. |
Along the sidewalk going to the lake, Joe spotted this. |
We saw these in the Mariposa Big Tree Grove in Yosemite National Park. They had not sprouted this fully though. Anyone know what it is? |
Joe and I think we have found our lake home! |
Woodwork design on lakeside front doors. |
We walked south of the castle toward the Visitor Center. Eagles Falls empties to the lake from here. |
The Visitors Center does not open until summer. |
A dock is located a little north of the castle for boats to dock at, when visiting Vikingsholm Castle. |
We walked back toward the outdoor hall to get back to the courtyard. |
More woodwork on the side of the castle. |
Outdoor hallway from the side of the castle to the courtyard. |
View of south corner of courtyard. |
Detailed woodwork between stain glass windows. |
We walked through the tunnel entrance back to the front of the castle. I had not notice all the intricate carvings on a wood building to the right of the front entrance tunnel. |
Close up of the doors and carvings. |
There were several sequoia trees surround the castle. This is the foliage of sequoia trees. |
This sequoia tree's base was cemented up. It was time to climb the steep trail back to the parking lot. Ugh! |
I was so glad it was not a hot day for the hike up the hill. |
Along the trail there were bushes with these pink flowers. |
I had to stop many times to catch my breath up the steep grade back up. Stopping for pictures gives me a breather break! |
Emerald color water in Emerald Bay. |
View of Fennette Island from the north. |
As we climb, we got a good view of the high in the sky road bridge we have to drive across to get to the west side road around the lake. |
It took us 20 minutes to walk down the trail, but it was taking much longer going up. |
The water color is just so pretty! |
Break time again! |
It took us 40 minutes to climb to the top to the parking lot., twice the time going down. |
As we head home, we cross the high in the sky road bridge. Looking south on the bridge. |
Looking north on the road bridge. |
Another bad curve for longer RV's. |
Coming up to the other tight curve not recommend for longer RV's. |
On the way home we stopped at a park in South Lake Tahoe that Joe had found when checking out the town without me. |
Looking north on Lake Tahoe. |
Looking northeast on Lake Tahoe. |
Close up looking north on Lake Tahoe. |
Heading home. |
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