January 6, 2015 (TUESDAY!) Washoe Lake Wetlands Paint-Out

Remember last year's paint-out?  

Happy New Year everyone!  Sorry for the lapse in paint-outs.  Between inclement weather, the holidays and being sick.... it just didn't happen....

This was taken a couple of years ago....

Date:          January 6, 2015 (This is a Tuesday this time!)
Time:          10:00 am
Place:          Washoe Lake Wetlands - at the very south end of Washoe Lake
Parking:      Free and plenty of parking

Forecast:  We will be having warmer weather - in the 30's to 40's!   Lots better than what we've been having.  Still, bring layers and gloves if you have sensitive hands!

What to bring:

• painting gear
• artist umbrella
• camera
• winter layers, warm hat or ear covers, gloves
• waterproof boots in case snow or ice still on ground
• sunglasses for glare if it is sunny
• shade hat
• cell phone
• drink and food
• carts work OK if no snow on the trail or boardwalk

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

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.

October 2, 2012 (Tues.) Washoe Lake South Entrance

Date:  October 2, 2012

Time:  8:30 am

Place:  Washoe Lake State Park, South Entrance 

Parking:  Picnic Area - upon entering the park, turn left and drive to the end (the south end) where the picnic area is (not group picnic).

What to bring:

• painting gear
• camera
• appropriate clothing for whatever the forcast says
• hat for sun
• drinking water
• $7.00 for entrance fee (use envelopes at the entrance)

What you will see from this spot:  the lake, rabbit brush in bloom, cottonwood trees beginning to change color, Slide Mountain, and if you look the other direction - desert flora and hillside.  Here is a link to the Washoe Lake (Nev. State Parks) website.  Click on the slideshow for many lovely pictures of this location:  http://parks.nv.gov/parks/washoe-lake-state-park/