My own private Tahoe

Ten minutes on a hot crowded sandy beach was all it took. We pack up and head to the car. Only to quickly return to rent a couple of kayaks. My daughter and I share one; my husband solos in another.

We are instantly cool and happy in our own private Tahoe. While we were told not to venture too far out where jet-skiers and motorboats are zipping across the lake, I don’t feel too limited. Just a few paddle strokes offshore and we had glided out of earshot of the beach.

This is the way to experience the lake.

There’s an amazing clarity to Tahoe’s lake, I’ve learned, because of the its granite rock bed. Apparently algae doesn’t grow much on granite so the murkiness found in other lakes doesn’t occur here. It twists my depth perception as I gaze down at what could be 20 or 50 feet below to the lake bottom.

Earlier in the day, we stopped by a visitor center and saw a diagram that showed the depth of the lake to be 1,600 feet deep. Deeper than the Empire State Building is tall, this is the second-deepest lake in the country and among the deepest in the world. So much water here that it is thought to be capable of 30-foot tsunamis if an earthquake occurs from one of the faults that run far beneath.

It is bowl-shaped, with a steep scoop so I know it gets deep quickly once offshore. My fear of heights is messing with my mind as I envision the emptiness below. This is a peaceful and powerful place.

I focus on all this for just a few minutes and then just enjoy the moment. We paddle here and there, and then glide a bit and chat. It’s a beautiful day.