January 2, 2014 (Thursday) Washoe Lake Wildlife Viewing Area, then Deadman's Creek Trail Paint-Out

Carol painting from the viewing platform last year

The parking lot last year

Wildlife Viewing Area Parking Lot - South End of Washoe Lake in the Fall

The Boardwalk goes from the parking lot to a viewing platform

Date:          January 2, 2014 (Thursday)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:         Washoe Lake Wildlife Viewing Area, Eastlake Boulevard, South End of Washoe Lake
Parking:      Free, large parking lot and a pit toilet (but I'm not sure it is unlocked in the winter)
Amenities:   None, but Washoe Lake State Park is one mile north and there are unlocked bathrooms in the picnic or camping area.  They turn off the drinking fountains because of freezing pipes.  If you decide to paint there, you must pay the State Park Fee.

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water and snacks or lunch, maybe hot drink?
• maybe TP?
• hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
• painting umbrella if you have one
• waterproof hiking boots or snow boots
• warm socks, gloves
• winter clothing - layers are best - it can warm up in the sun
• cart will work on the boardwalk, but you have a few stair steps
• cellphone

What you will see to paint:

• snow capped Slide Mountain and surrounding mountains
• reeds and marsh grasses
• maybe some patchy snow
• view of Washoe Lake and surrounding desert mountains
• sometimes cloud formations

Directions:

From Reno, take I-580 South toward Carson City

Exit 44/Eastlake Boulevard

Left on Eastlake Boulevard

Go about 1.4 miles

As you go around a bend, a parking lot will appear on the left - turn left (it is easy to pass it up by mistake)

Link:  http://renotahoe.about.com/od/NevadaStateParks/ss/Tour-Of-Washoe-Lake-State-Park_7.htm

SECOND LOCATION - FOR HIKING ARTISTS - CHECK THIS OUT!   If you want to go for a little hike after our paint-out, OR, if you are not finding a subject matter to paint AND enjoy hiking - this location is nearby and not well-known.

Deadman's Creek Trailhead

Deadman's Creek Trailhead - looking away toward Washoe Lake

The Gazebo above Deadman's Creek Trail

Location:  Just about a mile north from the Wildlife Viewing parking lot, on East Lake Boulevard, on the right, is a small parking area (for 3 cars or so).  There is a nice little foot trail along the creek with signs noting the names of wild plants and trees.  Look for a trail that goes to the right and crosses the creek.  This trail switch-backs and climbs the hill and goes up to a viewing gazebo.  Some of the things you will see along the way are interesting rock outcroppings and gorgeous views of Washoe Lake.  If you have light painting gear in a backpack - you will be rewarded with a gorgeous place to paint.

Additional parking:  In the top photo you can see a trail on the other side of the road.  That trail leads to the Washoe Lake State Park Picnic Area Parking Lot (fee required).  You can also look for additional turn-outs nearby and walk to the trailhead.

This is also a great place to walk your dog.  Be sure to bring drinking water and a camera!!!
Link:  http://renotahoe.about.com/od/hikingtrails/a/Hiking-Deadmans-Creek-Trail.htm

Too cold! Paint-out on 12-9-13 cancelled

With the bitter cold weather and icy conditions in the Reno and Tahoe area lately, our paint-out on Monday the 9th is cancelled.  Forecast says only a high of 28 degrees for Monday.  Brrrrr.  Stay warm everyone!

December 9, 2013 (Monday) Paint-Out to the Meadows

what it will look like with some snow

what it will look like with only a little bit of snow

Date:         December 9, 2013 (Monday)
Time:         10:00 am
Place:        The Tahoe Meadows (at the top of Mount Rose Highway)
Meeting:    On the north side of the highway where the sign says "stairs"
Amenities:   None right there, but further up the hill is a large parking lot where the trailhead to Mount Rose has toilets which might be open

What to bring:

• painting gear
• camera
• cell phone
• warm clothing (check forecast)
• insulated and/or waterproof hiking boots, maybe cross-country skis?  Maybe snowshoes?  Depends on amount of snow there
• sun glasses, hat, sunscreen
• water, snacks

At the time of typing this post, it is not known how much snow or how little there will be.

November Paint-Outs

Here is a little bit on our recent paint-outs:
Sand Harbor on Nov. 11, 2013:  Present were Monika, Linda, Bill and myself.

Nov. 25, 2013 - Scenic Overlook above Incline:
Present were Monika, Linda, Lonalee and myself:

Nov. 25, 2013 - Little Washoe Lake:
Present were Monika, me and WILD HORSES!

November 25, 2013 (Monday) Paint-Out at Little Washoe Lake

This was taken during the spring from the overlook dirt pull-out

Weather permitting, we will be going to Little Washoe Lake.  We will meet in the dirt pull-out before the park.  There everyone can decide if they want to paint the view from there, or go down the driveway to the fee parking lot.  It is part of the Nevada State Park, and there are envelopes to self-pay (or take your chance the ranger doesn't come by....)

Date:          November 25, 2013 (Monday)
Time:          10:00 am
Meeting Place:     The dirt pull-out before going into Little Washoe Lake
Amenities:    toilets, picnic benches, paved parking lot
Fee:          $7.00 per car if out of state, $5.00 per car if Nevada license plate.  You can even carpool the few hundred feet into the park to share the fee if you want to.  Leaving your car in the turn-out is relatively safe.
Dogs:        Allowed.  Beware of coyotes or dog walkers with unfriendly loose dogs.

Directions:  From Virginia Street/Mount Rose Highway intersection, take 395 south about 6 miles.  After you pass through Pleasant Valley you will go up a hill (Washoe Hill).  At the top, turn left on East Lake Boulevard.  Almost immediately on your right is a large dirt turn-out.  We will meet there.

The park entrance is a few feet further up East Lake Boulevard.  This is a quiet park and only a few people visit it.  Be sure to scope it out:  drive into the parking lot and then continue straight on the dirt road.  Take the bend in the road to the right and follow around the lake to the end where there is a pit toilet.  All along the dirt road, it is generally wide enough to park on the side and paint.  There are marshes, reeds, willows and snow capped mountains and wider portions of lake.  This time of year the water level is lower.  All these pictures were taken in the spring of last year.  But after our snowfall last night and today, it will probably still be there on the mountain tops come Monday.

This is another view looking more south

This was taken from the beach area

This was taken from the dirt road that follows the edge of the lake to the other side.  This is actually looking away from Little Washoe Lake and looking more south

This was taken from the dirt road about half way to the end

November 18, 2013 (Monday) Paint-Out at Scenic Overlook

Date:          November 18, 2013 (Monday)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Scenic Overlook on Mount Rose Highway (431) above Incline Village
Parking:       Large turn-out
Amenities:    None - no bathrooms, no water, but you can always drop by Incline for the closest services

Weather permitting, we will be meeting at the Scenic Overlook (signs indicating this spot are on the highway).  If you are coming from Reno, the Overlook parking is on your LEFT.  If you are coming from Incline Village, the Outlook is on your RIGHT.

This is a great spot if you like to do a vista of Lake Tahoe.  These pictures were taken last Monday when we had overcast skies.  It is about a mile or so up the highway from Incline Village.

November 11, 2013 (Mon.) Paint-Out at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe

It is after the tourist season, the parking attendants are gone, it is peaceful and quiet, the weather is cooler but it is still beautiful.....come paint the jewel of the Sierra Nevada - Lake Tahoe's Nevada side....

Date:     November 11, 2013 (Monday)
Time:     10:00 am
Place:     Sand Harbor State Park at the Boat Launch Parking Lot
Parking:  they say fee year-round - envelopes in off season (take your chances)
Meeting Place:   Boat Launch area
Amenities:  Toilets, drinking water, picnic tables

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• change for parking (about $10)
• drink, lunch or snack
• May be a high of 54 degrees, bring a jacket
• sunscreen and hat and umbrella if you have one

Directions:  From Reno, take the Mt. Rose Hwy (431) to Incline.  Turn Left on Country Club Drive (before you get to Tahoe Blvd (28), at the stoplight, turn left on Tahoe Blvd (28) aka Lake Tahoe East Shore Drive and go about 1 or 2 miles.  Turn Right into the first entrance (the Boat Launch entrance)

http://parks.nv.gov/parks/sand-harbor/

Recent Paint-Outs September to October 2013

Here is a collection of pictures from paint-outs we enjoyed:

Fallen Leaf Lake:

Emma looks perplexed

Too windy to paint by the lake this day

We moved into the shelter of the trees

Lonnalee at work

Monika in the aspens

Ray at work at the edge of the meadow

Sky Tavern:

Aspens at Sky Tavern

Emma at work

Monika and Garrett

Lonnalee's view

Moxie waiting for Mom to finish painting

Mayberry Park:

Emma and Jack

Thomas Creek:

Brrrr!  Last night blew the leaves away and left snow!

Only die-hards Monika and I showed up - we had to paint fast!!!!!   Cold!!!!

October 28, 2013 Thomas Creek Trailhead Paint-Out

Taken this year - the trees are all gold!

Date:          October 28, 2013 (Monday)
Time:          9:30 am
Place:          Thomas Creek Trailhead located at the end of Timberline Road, Reno, NV.
Meet:          The picture taken above is the dirt parking area you will see when you go about 500 yards on the dirt road at the end of Timberline Road.  Meet here.  If you have never been here, we will show you where you can walk or drive from here.  The aspen trees you see here run along both sides of Thomas Creek.  There is a wooden bridge in the gap of the trees, and you can drive over it to get to other parking areas.
Amenities:     Pit toilet at the farther parking area that is paved where it says "Equestrian Parking" - but you can park there as well.

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drinking water, lunch or snack
• TP in case pit toilet is out
• carts will work OK here, but the dirt roads are bumpy and/or gravelly
• cell phone - I believe they work here - we are close to a neighborhood

Directions:  From Reno, take 395 to Mount Rose Hwy exit.  Go up Mount Rose Hwy to Timberline Road.  Turn Right.  Go to the end.  It turns into a well-maintained dirt road that is only about .10 of a mile long.  Paved parking lot with pit toilet - continue straight ahead after crossing the bridge.  Dirt parking along the creek:  turn left after you cross the bridge.  Note:  Logan Meadows Road (the center of the fork) is closed from November 1 to May 1.

What you can paint near parking areas:  eastern vistas of Truckee Meadows, pine trees, aspen trees, and creek.  Thomas Creek Trail also goes east, following the creek near the bridge.  There are some nice aspen trees there too.  Basically - if you want to paint the view, park at the cement parking lot.  If you want to paint forests, creeks, aspens - park in the dirt parking area along the creek.  If you love hiking (and lugging your gear), the trails are wonderful - you can hike as far as you want.  The trail follows the creek toward Mount Rose....

People who use this trail:  hikers, dog-walkers, equestrians, mountain bike riders.

Important:  Do not set up easels on the foot trail.  This is a well-used trail.  Mountain bikes can whiz by without looking up.  Horses may be frightened by you and your easel and umbrella.  Try to be in an open area off the trail where the horses can see you but not be threatened.  I use this trail frequently and have never seen a rattle snake or mountain lion, but the trail signs say they do live there, so I feel obliged to note it here.

View from cement parking lot

The left fork where the dirt parking is along the creek

Bridge where the fork is (last year's pix)

A meadow between Logan Meadows Road and the creek - farther up  - parking for about 3 cars on Logan Meadows Road

Creek near the dirt parking area

October 21, 2013 (Mon.) Mayberry Park Paint Out

Mayberry Park  last year - but it is probably more yellow now

Date:     October 21, 2013 (Monday)
Time:     9:30 am
Place:     Mayberry Park, 121 Woodland Drive, Reno, NV
Parking:  plenty
Amenities:  No water, but there are porta-potties, picnic tables, paved jogging path along the river, more parking if you turn left and go down a gravel road to another grassy picnic area and porta-pottie down there too

What to bring:

• camera
• your painting gear
• TP in case port-pottie is out
• drinking water
• hat - good weather in forecast
• hiking or walking shoes
• carts will work here - there is a paved walking path along the Truckee River

What you will see from this location to paint:

• cottonwoods are golden, some still green
• golden grasses and mute-colored rabbit brush
• Truckee River and the shoreline and rocks

Directions:  From Reno at 395, take 80 to West McCarran, turn Left on McCarran, Turn Right on 4th Street.  Go about 1.9 miles, turn Left on Woodland, go to the end.

Link:  http://www.yelp.com/biz/mayberry-park-reno

More pictures from last year