Tuesday, January 28, 2014

February 3, 2014 (Monday) Paint-Out at Oxbow Nature Study Area, Reno

Date:          February 3, 2014 (Monday)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Oxbow Nature Study Area, Reno
Parking:       Yes
Meeting Place:    Parking Lot
Amenities:           Restrooms (open?), Cafe nearby

Thank you Chris for scoping out this new paintings spot.  She says at this time the colors are pretty brown, but interesting vista, the river, cattails, maybe still some ice along the edges.  There is pretty good parking and flat trails and boardwalks.

Directions:  Take the Keystone Exit off of I-80 and turn south onto Keystone Ave.  Continue to W. Second Street and turn Right (West).  After several blocks Second Street bears left and becomes Dickerson Road.  There is no sign indicating but just go that way.  You travel through a semi industrial area and the road dead-ends into Oxbow Nature Study Area.

What to bring (same as always):

  • camera
  • cell phone
  • drinking water and snack or lunch
  • painting gear
  • TP for restroom?
  • carts will probably work on boardwalks and paths
  • hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
  • art umbrella?
  • check weather for appropriate layers of clothing
Links:


Monday, January 27, 2014

January was very cooperative! We had some fun paint-outs

Washoe Lake Wildlife Viewing Area
We had quite a few paint-outs so far this winter.  December 9 we had a couple of painters in the Tahoe Meadows on the top of Mt. Rose Highway.  After the holidays, we had a big turn-out on January 2 at the southern tip of Washoe Lake at the Wildlife Viewing Area.  You can see from the photos there was not much snow, it was sunny and mild.
Welcome new painting friends, Karen Mauer and Chris Cheney.  Also present were Carol Grigus, Emma Auriemma, Lonnalee Virgo, Diann Liang and myself.

Other paint-outs were headed by Monika Johnson at Ski Beach on Jan. 6 and Sand Harbor on Jan. 20.  Sorry I don't have pictures from those paint-outs, I was unable to attend.

Today's paint-out was at Hope Valley and was well attended by eleven people.  Welcome new painting friends, Evelyn Yonker, Thaleia Georgiades, Bonita Paulis and Nan Lathrop.  Also present were Monika Johnson, Bill Tyner, Linda Rosenblum, Karen Mauer, Emma Auriemma, Carol Grigus, and myself.  If you were there and I didn't see you, my appologies!  

We all met up at the Cafe and got our maps and buddied-up and disbursed out into the field to paint.  Because we were so spread out I don't have any pictures of this paint-out.  It started out cold, but at times the sun came out and got warmer.  Then it got colder around 2:00 but most people were finished by then.  

Although we need the snow and rain, this winter so far has been generous to painters out in the field.  It has been pretty mild for this time of year and the lack of snow on the ground in Hope Valley made the parking and access much easier.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

January 27, 2014 (Monday) Hope Valley Paint-Out

Carson River near Sorensens in the Fall
Date:          January 27, 2014 (Monday)
Time:          11:00 am
Place:          Hope Valley Area
Meeting Place:    Hope Valley Cafe (At Hope Valley Resort & Campground)
Painting Places:   4 to choose from, or go off on your own
Parking:          Variable - see notes on each painting location
Amenities:     Hope Valley Cafe, Sorensen's Resort, bathroom at Pickett Junction (88 at 89)

We are doing this paint-out a little bit different.  We are meeting at Hope Valley Cafe parking lot where I will hand out maps (if you don't print out the one I have here).  This is the time to choose where you want to go and with whom - buddy up - if you have not already discussed this with your buddy yourself.  We are doing it this way because there might be a large number of people and many of the painting spots have limited parking areas.  Below is the map and following is a description of that spot:
to print:  R click on this map, it brings up blog post, R click again on map, it should blow up map only, Control P and it should just show map as an item to print.  Hope this works for you!
Key:  
*  Meeting place:  Hope Valley Cafe & Market at Hope Valley Resort & Campground

A  Additional parking:  There is turn-off area on the left at Pickett Junction.  This is a large dirt staging area at the dirt road called Burnside Lake Road.  There is another off-highway turn-off when you first turn right on Highway 89 - parking headlight to taillight.

#1  Pull-out parking in dirt on the left before you get to Sorensen's.  Room for 3 or 4 small cars.  Short hike to Carson River.  Picture above is similar to this area.  Need hiking boots or boots with traction to walk down slope to River.  Link to Sorensens:  http://www.sorensensresort.com/

#2  Pull out parking in dirt on right just after you pass Sorensens.  Room for maybe 5 cars.  Short hike to Carson River banks.  Again, boots with traction recommended

#3  Restroom and parking lot at Pickett Junction.  Stay on 88 as you pass 89 turn-off at right.  Immediately after that there is a restroom and parking lot for about 6-7 cars.  Respect handicap parking spot please.  From here you can hike into meadow for a view, or, hike along a path to the river.

#4  Overlook Parking Area above Red Lake:  this is a few miles from Pickett Junction (my map is condensed).  Just before you get to Carson Pass, look for a sign saying something about Overlook of Red Lake (I don't remember the signage).  The paved parking area is on your LEFT.  Unless it is still has snow plow berms, this lot can hold a lot of cars - 15 or so.  The view is spectacular.

If you want us to look for you, please email Carolyn to let us know you are coming - at least a day in advance notice. 

email at:  carolynjean@carolynjeanthompson.com.

What you will see at this time of year:
Our scout, Carol Grigus, informs us that the Carson River in Hope Valley looks good and is still flowing, but barely.  There are some frozen parts along the edges - very pretty.
The hike to the river from #3 is gorgeous, but it is a bit of a hike for some folks.  The bathroom at #3 is open and clean.
The vista view above Red Lake is gorgeous, and some might even venture to Carson Pass itself as well.

Overlook of Red Lake in summer
What to Bring:
  • Maps of the area if you have them
  • cell phones don't work here but a few random spots
  • camera
  • painting gear, painting umbrella?
  • something to carry your gear
  • hiking or snow boots as spares
  • drinking water
  • appropriate clothing - check forecast - remember we are higher up and it is colder unless there is an inversion
  • gloves? hat? sunscreen? sunglasses? ear warmers?
  • snacks/lunch/money for cafe or Sorensen's restaurant
Carson Pass in summer

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

January 20, 2014 2:00 pm Paint-Out at Sand Harbor


Date:          January 20, 2014
Time:          2:00 pm
Place:         Sand Harbor, the Boat Launch parking lot
Parking:      plenty but there is a fee during winter if the ranger comes by
Amenities:   bathrooms
Meet:          Monika will be there

What to bring:

  • camera
  • painting gear
  • drinking water and snack
  • $ for parking?
  • appropriate clothing, gloves, hat - check forecast
  • sunscreen for your face, sunglasses
  • painting umbrella if sunny day
  • cell phone
  • carry chains if road report says to
Directions:  From Reno, take Mt Rose Hwy (431) to Incline
Left on Country Club Drive
Left on Lakeshore Blvd.  Go about 2 miles
Right into Sand Harbor Boat Launch parking lot

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

January 13, 2014 2:00 pm Paint-Out at the Meadows

Taken Dec. 30, 2013
Date:          January 13, 2014
Time:          2:00 pm
Place:          Tahoe Meadows (top of Mount Rose on Hwy 431)
Parking:       Side of the Road on the south side because snow sledding and mobiling are on the north side
Meeting Place:    Where the sign says "stairs" - there are two of them, but not far from each other
Amenities:     None

At the time of writing this post, it is too far in advance for a forecast.  There may be fresh snow between now and this date.  Please check forecast.

What to bring:

  • Camera
  • painting gear
  • drinking water and snack
  • snow boots or insulated hiking boots
  • snow shoes if there is fresh snow
  • warm clothing, hat, ear warmers, gloves
  • something to carry your gear - backpack, totebag, sled?
  • carry chains if required - check forecast and road conditions
  • cell phone
  • sunglasses and sunscreen for your face
  • painting umbrella if a sunny, bright day

Saturday, January 4, 2014

January 6, 2014 (Monday) 2:00 pm Paint-Out at Ski Beach, Incline


Ski Beach in Spring of 2013
Date:          January 6, 2014 (Monday)
Time:          2:00 pm (note we are meeting later in the winter)
Place:          Ski Beach, Incline Village
Parking:       Plenty and free during the winter
Meet:          Monika will be there
Amenities:    Bathrooms (I don't know if they are open in winter) Hyatt Hotel is a block away

What to bring:

  • Camera
  • painting gear
  • drinking water, snack
  • hat, sunglasses, sunscreen for your face
  • appropriate clothing - check forecast
  • umbrella if you have one
Directions:  From Reno:
Mt. Rose Hwy 431 to Incline
Seft on Country Club Drive
Right on Lakeshore Blvd, go .1 mile
First Left into Ski Beach Area, go 446 feet
Right into parking lot, go 102 feet