Announcement: Sign up for a paint-out on May 18, 2015

Announcement to all painters:

We have been invited to paint at a private ranch in the Minden area.

Date:          May 18, 2015 (Monday)
Time:          afternoon (to be announced)
Location:    Minden area off of Hwy 88
Amenities:   bathroom, water, parking, shady trees
What to paint:  old barns, fences, cattle, maybe a horse or two, old ranch house, old root cellar, creek, view of mountains, view of Carson Valley, sage brush, pastures, creek.


To respect the owner's privacy, we will not post the address on this blog.  If you want to come and paint, you must sign up by emailing the blog administrator at:

carolynjean@carolynjeanthompson.com

Once you email me, I will then email you back with the directions on how to get there.

May 4, 2015 Oxbow Nature Area Paint-Out

This was winter or fall - it should be greener now!

NO HOST

Date:          May 4, 2015 (Monday)
Time:          9:30 am
Place:          Oxbow Nature Study Area, Reno
Parking:       Yes
Meeting Place:    Parking Lot
Amenities:           Restrooms (open), Cafe nearby

At this time of year there are probably singing birds, new leaves on the cottonwood trees, interesting vistas, the river, cattails, grasses, a small lake/pond.  There is plenty of parking and flat trails and boardwalks.  The home before you enter the park has some livestock that are fun to paint too.

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

·                  carts work on boardwalks and paths

·                  hat, sunscreen, sunglasses

·                  art umbrella?

·                  check weather for appropriate layers of clothing

Links:

http://visitreno.com/parks/oxbow/index.php

http://www.nevadaaudubon.org/birdingguide/birdingareas/oxbow.html

https://plus.google.com/102216469393784535549/about?gl=us&hl=en

http://backyardtraveler.blogspot.com/2006/12/renos-oxbow-nature-study-area.html

April 27, 2015 (Monday) Virginia City Paint-Out

from the internet

Date:          April 27, 2015 (Monday)
Time:          9:30 am (it is now warmer in the mornings!)
Place:          Virginia City
Meeting Place:     In the large parking lot at the corner of E Street and Sutton.  The parking lot is across the street from the old Virginia Truckee Railroad Freight Depot.

Possible Painting Locations to be discussed:

• Main Street
• old buildings
• church
• old equipment, vehicles, etc.
• views of 6 Mile Canyon and Sugarloaf Mountain
• The Comstock Trail and History Kiosk at the end of Washington Street (small parking lot and bathrooms I think)
• 6 Mile Canyon (small turn-offs here and there - go slow or you may drive past them)
• Old Cemetary

It is a lot of fun to paint together, but it is hard at Virginia City with so much variety and everyone is inspired by something different.  So it may end up that people fan out and we won't see each other....but maybe if we meet first, we can at least find someone who wants to paint the same thing and hang out together.

Directions:  from Reno, take Hwy 341 to Virginia City, turn Left on Sutton, go 2 blocks and it ends at E Street.  The parking lot is right in front of you.  (From Reno at the intersection of Virginia Street and 341, it is 14 miles and takes about 30 minutes).

Links:

Link about the Comstock Trail Kiosk:  http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=46131

link to VC attractions and mine tours http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/attractions/popular-itineraries-aamp-tours/mines-aamp-mine-tours.html

YouTube video of the Comstock Trail  part 1 of a series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDoAv_Ff4EY

Virginia City:  http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/

historic walking tours:  http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/attractions/popular-itineraries-aamp-tours/historic-walking-tours.html

Printable maps of Virginia City:  http://www.visitvirginiacitynv.com/about-virginia-city/maps-and-visitor-information.html

April 20, 2014 (Monday) Evans Creek Nature Trail Paint-Out - Reno

Evans Creek Nature Trail

NOTE:  THIS TRAIL IS PART OF THE RANCHO SAN RAFAEL PARK BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MCCARRAN BLVD.

Date:          April 20, 2015 (Monday)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Evans Canyon Trailhead - specifically the Evans Creek Nature Trail part of it.
Meet:          Parking lot in front of this trailhead gate, or meet down in the creek trail
Address:  Reno Sports Complex parking lot 2975 N. Virginia Street

Parking:      Parking for trailhead is at the end of the Reno Sports Complex parking lot 2975 N. Virginia Street  (a softball field and disc golf).  This Sports Complex is at the northwest corner of the intersection of North Virginia Street and McCarran.  There is a left-hand turn lane to get into this parking lot going northbound on N. Virginia Street after you cross McCarran

Trail difficulty:  Easy to moderate, and short.  Pack light or bring a cart for going back uphill, although it is gradual and fairly easy.

Amenities:       NONE. Beware:  NO BATHROOMS!   Can you believe it???  I asked a maintenance worker.  I guess when there are softball games they open one near the dugout, but when we are there, no games are going on.  You can drop by the main Rancho San Rafael park bathrooms from the Sierra Street entrance.

Directions:  From I-80, take Virginia Street exit and go north on North Virginia Street.  Pass the university and cross McCarran and get in the left turn lane as soon as it appears, turn left into the Reno Sports Complex (signage is very visible).  Go to the end of the parking lot.

Links:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/evans-creek-trailhead-reno

http://www.washoecounty.us/repository/files/28/Rancho%20San%20Rafael%20Park%20Trails%20Map%2024%20x%2018.pdf

Description of the trail and photos I took about 2 weeks ago:  It is a short walk slightly downhill to the creek.  First you have to go toward the Basque Monument and then stay left and continue past it downhill.  Carts will work here.  Continue on this trail and it will bend like it is going toward the right and also downhill.  It then meets the loop trail.  A sign says go left for the nature trail part of it and this is the pretty area in the trees we will paint.  Go back the same way you came to get to your car.

This trail is enjoyed by joggers and hikers.  No bicycles are allowed.  Still, in order to paint, you will have to step off the trail so the pedestrians can continue.  There are many little side trails that take you down into the canopy of trees and grass and the trickle of a creek from a dry winter.  So, if you like riparian ecosystems and tangles of natural trees, you will like this hike very much.  It is very pretty.

The trailhead at the parking lot

The trail to the left of the Basque Monument

Now the trail is going down

At the bottom a sign points to go left along the creek for the nature trail

There are little trails off the main one that take you into the trees and to the creek

Not much water

Now a boardwalk leads you to a marshy area

The marshy area and one branch of trail leading over it to the other side.

Specific meeting place for Fort Churchill Paint-Out

Update on meeting place for Fort Churchill paint-out on April 13, 2015:

Meet at the Buckland Station parking lot which is also part of Fort Churchill State Park.  Buckland Station is right on Highway 95A, just before the bridge over the Carson River.

FYI the other parking lot is at the actual site of the Fort and it is 2 to 3 miles from the Buckland Station parking lot.

Hope to see ya at Buckland Station parking lot!

April 13, 2015 (Monday) Fort Churchill State Park Paint-Out

Date:          April 13, 2015 (Monday)
Time:          10:30 am (since it is farther away for some of us!)
Place:          Fort Churchill State Park (near Lake Lahontan)
Meet:           I wish I was sure to say....the parking lot?
Fee:             about $10 (bring your NV State Park Pass if you have one)
Amenities:   Visitors center, picnic area, bathrooms

Directions:  This park is east of Carson City.  Please use google maps/directions to find the best route for you.  Basically, it is an hour and 20 min. from the intersection of 80 and 395 in Reno - if you go 80 to Fernley to 50 to 95.  From South Reno and Carson, you can go 580 to 50 to 95 and it will take about the same time or less if you are from Carson.

I have never been here.....and it is just a little too far for me to scope it out.  But I have heard from one of our painters that it is an interesting place to paint.  So, check it out with me and we can explore the possibilities.  Please see the below links to give you an idea of what is there if you haven't been...

Links:
http://parks.nv.gov/parks/fort-churchill-state-historic-park/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Churchill_State_Historic_Park
http://renotahoe.about.com/od/NevadaStateParks/a/Fort-Churchill-State-Historic-Park.htm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mN9cs3cnpxc
http://travelnevada.com/discover/great-outdoors/camping/fort-churchill-state-historic-park
http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nv/fortchurchill.html
http://www.nevadadaytrips.com/fort-churchill.html
http://www.inetours.com/Photographs/Fort-Churchill.html

April 6, 2015 (Monday) Rancho San Rafael Arboretum Paint-Out

Spring blossoms are happening now at Rancho San Rafael Arboretum!  If you are in the mood for color and flowering trees, shrubs and daffodils, here is a nice place...I took these pictures today, April 1, and more may pop out by Monday.

Date:          April 6, 2015 (Monday)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Rancho San Rafael Parrk - May Arboretum, Reno
Parking:       In front of the Arboretum
Meeting Place:     In the parking lot in front of the Arboretum - when you first drive into Rancho San Rafael Park, turn right into the first parking lot.
Amenities:       flush toilets, water, paved main trails and sandy arboretum trails, free parking

Here is a map of the arboretum trails.  You can also access the map via this link:

http://www.mayarboretumsociety.org/images/WilburDMayABGTrailMap.jpg?605

What to bring:

• camera
• painting gear
• drink and snack or lunch
• carts work here
• folding chair if you want
• cell phone
• brim hat
• appropriate clothing for the temperature
• hiking boots if you want to go off trail
• umbrella if the sun comes out

What you can see and paint:

• arboretum trails have different kinds of plants and trees
• creek with a tangle of cottonwoods
• marshy areas of creek with cattails
• groves of trees
• arbors and gazebos covered with vines
• May Museum buildings and outbuildings from former ranch

Other amenities:  Rancho San Rafael also has a dog park, a pond, and old ranch pastures.

Directions:   

San Rafael Regional Park is at 1595 N. Sierra Street. The main entrance from N. Sierra Street is west of the UNR campus and takes you onto San Rafael Drive, which runs along the south side of the park. From this street you can access the main features, such as the May Arboretum, May Museum, the playground, and various picnic areas. The park office phone number is (775) 785-4512.

Link to Arboretum Society:  http://www.mayarboretumsociety.org/