Men and women on horseback with the National Pony Express Association (NPEA) will carry personal mail and commemorative letters from St Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California this June. The 1,966 mile route will go from Missouri, across Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada to Central California. Riders are expected in South Lake Tahoe on June 26.

This was the route of the historic mail service of the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company. It carried letters and telegrams from April 1860 to November 1861 on the Central Route through Salt Lake and Placerville, to San Francisco.

In 1992, by an Act of Congress, it was added to the National Trail System as a Historic Trail administered by the National Park Service.

More information can be found online at the Pony Express Homepage, on the National Parks Service website, or by writing National Pony Express Association, PO Box 236, Pollock Pines, CA 95726.

Plan to see the Re-Ride of the Pony Express Trail as riders pass through South Lake Tahoe in front of Harrah’s at Friday’s Station on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 11:30am. Please note: Anyone wishing to see the Pony Express riders should be aware that they may be anywhere from two hours ahead to two hours behind schedule.

Georgette is a South Lake Tahoe resident and the marketing manager for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. She loves life outdoors and can usually be found exploring Tahoe South with her dog Jersey.

After an action-packed winter season, Heavenly Mountain Resort is switching gears and opening with summer activities this Memorial Day weekend May 25-27. Heavenly will run the Gondola for sightseeing, dining, family activities and hiking. Operating times will be from 10am to 4pm.

The Heavenly Gondola transports guests 3,000 feet above Lake Tahoe to the Mid-Station Observation Deck, where you can enjoy stunning views of Lake Tahoe, the Desolation Wilderness, and the Carson Valley. At the top of the Gondola, challenge yourself on the 25-foot climbing wall, designed for beginner to advanced climbers. Kids can play in a safe environment on the Spider Zone climbing tower. Tamarack Lodge will be open for dining and drinks and you will be able to enjoy varied hiking trails of green and blue levels. More information is available online or by calling (775) 586-7000.

If you’re looking for fun at lake level, visit one of the many campgrounds, day-use areas, beaches, general recreation areas, interpretive sites, picnic sites, and trailheads on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Opening dates are listed online on the US Forest Service website, but here are some of our favorites:

• Kiva Picnic Area - Opening May 10
• Inspiration Point - Opening May 10
• Bayview Trailhead - Opening May 17
• Taylor Creek Visitor Center - Opening Memorial Weekend
• Pope Beach - Opening May 24

For more ideas for celebrating the holiday weekend in Lake Tahoe, check out:

• Concert: Jefferson Starship at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
• Nightclub: Vanilla Ice at PEEK Nightclub inside Harrah’s Lake Tahoe
• Family-Friendly: Illusion Fusion starring award-winning master magician Alex Ramon at the Horizon Casino Resort
• Comedy Club: The Improv at Harveys

Georgette is a South Lake Tahoe resident and the marketing manager for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. She loves life outdoors and can usually be found exploring Tahoe South with her dog Jersey.

Spring is here! What is your favorite route along the Lake Tahoe Water Trail? 

You may be asking, what is the Lake Tahoe Water Trail? Anytime you are paddling within the lake's 72 miles of shoreline, you are on the Water Trail. We are the Lake Tahoe Water Trail Association, a volunteer group promoting non-motorized transportation and nature viewing on Lake Tahoe. We offer several resources on our website, including launch points, seasonal closures, parking details, day-trip paddle maps, overnight paddle trip guides, and group paddle event details.  

It's time to dust off the boat or board and come join the friends of the Lake Tahoe Water Trail for an informal Spring Paddle Day on Saturday, May 18. We will be leaving from the Homewood area and paddling to Sugar Pine State Park. Bring a paddlecraft, lifejacket, sack lunch, plenty of drinking water and sunscreen. This event is open to all members and non-members. Visit our website for meeting location and parking details. For more information, email info@laketahoewatertrail.org. 

FYI: dogs are not allowed on the beach at Sugar Pine. If you need to rent a boat, check out our sponsors page. 

Hope to see you there, and please forward to your friends!

Talia Shea is the environmental education coordinator for the Tahoe-Baikal Institute and a Sierra Nevada AmeriCorps Partnership member. 

Ask any local and they will tell you, it feels pretty amazing to be back on the lake, soaking up the warm sun, after a season of skiing and snowboarding. Besides being on a boat, the best way to explore the lake is on a kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard. 

Whether you're setting out on an expedition by yourself or with friends, there's something very calming and peaceful about paddling across the glassy water.

There are several places to access the lake. Here are my top three launch sites:

1. Lakeview Commons:  Located where Highway 50 meets the lake, this is the easiest place to access the beach. Bring your own equipment or rent a paddleboard from South Tahoe Stand Up Paddle right on the beach.  Lakeview Commons is the place to hang out on hot summer nights with a great calendar of events: Ladies’ Night (Mondays), SUP race series (Wednesdays) and Live at Lakeview Commons concert series (Thursdays), where you can enjoy the music from the water on your paddleboard or kayak.  Plus, the sunset views are incredible.

 2. Camp Richardson:  Explore the water for an hour or make it a daytrip. Paddle 3-4 hours by kayak along mostly undeveloped shoreline to Emerald Bay. It’s best to go early morning when the water is calm and the beach is less crowded. Tip: Pack a lunch and post up on the shoreline, where you can enjoy a snack while soaking in the views. And of course, remember to bring plenty of sunscreen.

 3. Kiva Beach: Surrounded by mountain views, including Mount Tallac, Kiva Beach is a hidden jewel. It’s short walk from the (free) parking lot, but well worth the effort.  The trail features marked signs with information about the vegetation and local history. Tip: Launch and explore Taylor Creek, located west of the beach access.

Other great launch spots include Regan Beach, Zephyr Cove and Timber Cove. Interested in longer runs? Try the Lake Tahoe Water Trail, where the entire lake is mapped out for daily and overnight getaways. 

Tiara works for Weidinger Public Relations and assists with PR efforts for Tahoe South. As an outdoor enthusiast, Tahoe is the perfect playground for Tiara to combine work with play. She contributes reviews to gear.com and blogs about all things Tahoe, fixing up her 50s rancher and DIY projects on her personal blog. She also planned a picturesque Tahoe wedding, August 2012. Her work for Tahoe South includes assisting with promotions and special events for the destination.

1. Start early. This is vital. With so much to do, you want to be able to maximize your daylight hours. Make coffee your first stop, then meet your friends and go!

2. Visit Lakeview Commons. Pack a picnic lunch and give standup paddleboarding a try. It’s so fun, even if it’s your first time (trust me – I’m not great at it). TIP: If you are a beginner, morning is the best time to experience the lake – the water is generally calmer earlier in the day. Check out the webcam at South Tahoe Standup Paddle for conditions, rent a board for an hour or two, and enjoy a fresh perspective of Lake Tahoe. 

3. Try our local trails. There are more than a few local trailheads on the South Shore, with parking lots and access to different levels of difficulty of hiking and biking. With a little effort, there are breathtaking views of Lake Tahoe, neighboring Carson Valley, and beautiful alpine lakes. In spring and early summer, waterfalls are still pretty impressive, and a must-see.

4. Experience Camp Richardson. There’s so much to do here, it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon. Rent jet skis or a boat, lounge on the beach, play in the sand, and have a cocktail on the deck at The Beacon. Explore the surrounding Tallac Historic Site and Taylor Creek Visitor’s Center. Stop for generous scoops of ice cream (pistachio!) at the old-fashioned Ice Cream Parlor or delicious sandwiches at the General Store.

5. Listen to the music. Tahoe South’s music scene really shines in the summer months. From concerts at Harveys Outdoor Arena and MontBleu Outdoor Event Center, to the Live at Lakeview Series at Lakeview Commons, to Jazz in the Park at Valhalla, there is something for a mix of musical tastes all summer long.

Oh, and the video I mentioned? Here it is:

Have fun planning your summer weekend at Lake Tahoe!

Georgette is a South Lake Tahoe resident and the marketing coordinator for the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority. She loves life outdoors and can usually be found exploring Tahoe South with her dog Jersey.

Don’t have a plan yet? Well at least you are smart enough to be reading this, so all is not lost. What do we mothers want on this most glorious of days? Well-behaved children, or a day where sibling fighting is abolished; a clean house that we did not have to clean ourselves; meals that we did not have to prepare; and lots of love from you. A portrait of us with our beautiful, well groomed, nicely dressed children is like icing on the cake. Fortunately the available backdrops for this picture are amazing in Tahoe.

First thing, allow Mom to leisurely wake up to coffee, tea, and a light breakfast all served in bed with homemade Mother’s Day cards. Cards detail just how wonderful your Mom is, and are delivered by her beautiful, smiling children. The breakfast must be light because of course you are taking Mom out to brunch later.

Brunch options that will always impress include Edgewood’s and Riva Grill’s Mother’s Day champagne brunches. Both offer stunning Lake Tahoe views – perfect for your special picture. If your children are not the shirt and tie, or dress type, there is always the picnic lunch option. And if your family’s talents do not lie in the culinary arts, stop by Sprout’s Café or Freshies and pick up lunch to go and head on down to Lakeview Commons for an al fresco lunch at the beach.

What to do the rest of the day? Whatever your Mom wants -- the Mother’s Day card is in effect all day long. Alone time for Mom, or more togetherness, it is all up to her. 

And Mom -- Tomorrow you will go back to fixing all the world’s problems, finding all lost articles, being the family chauffeur, and general all-around Wonder Woman. Today, Tahoe is your playground – enjoy!

Looking for more to do on Mother's Day in Lake Tahoe? Try these:

• Mother’s Day brunch at Zephyr Cove Restaurant
• Stay FREE on Mother's Day with Lake Tahoe Accommodations
• Fun Family Activities in South Lake Tahoe

Christina Proctor works for Weidinger Public Relations, the agency that oversees public relations efforts for Tahoe South.

Find the Perfect Photographer
One of the most important professionals you will hire for your wedding is a photographer. Capturing beautiful photographs of your wedding and reception will help you remember your special day for years to come. This is one area where a splurge pays off, so hire the best wedding photographer you can afford. For your Lake Tahoe destination wedding, here’s a great list of local photographers. Many ceremony and reception venues also have lists of photographers they work with, and are happy to share.

Before you start making phone calls, think a bit about what style of wedding photography suits you best. Do you prefer an artistic style, maybe with some black and white photos and colorized details? Or maybe traditional and classic photos are more your style. Most photographers will have a website or blog portfolio of their work. Time spent looking through the examples will save you headaches on your big day. If your wedding is at night, make sure to see some examples of wedding photographs taken at night.

Must-have Photographs
Start making a list of your “must-have” photographs — those once-in-a-lifetime shots you want front and center in your album. Having a plan ahead of time, with room for flexibility, is the best way to ensure that you get the amazing photos you have dreamed about. A good wedding photographer already knows to capture the special moments — first glance between the bride and groom, father and daughter walking down the aisle, first kiss — you just need to communicate with him about other shots you don’t want him to miss.

Scenic Tahoe Backdrops
By choosing beautiful South Lake Tahoe for your destination wedding, you already know the background for your pictures will be amazing. Depending on the location for your wedding ceremony and reception, there are countless options for one-of-a-kind wedding photographs. Emerald Bay provides breathtaking views of the most beautiful part of Lake Tahoe, and is a popular location for an intimate ceremony or simply for photographs before or after the wedding.

Planning your wedding at Edgewood Tahoe? These stunning wedding photographs were taken by Doug Miranda photography. Edgewood Tahoe has a beautiful outdoor patio overlooking the sandy shores of Lake Tahoe, and gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows in the indoor reception areas for the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos. The beauty of winter shines through in these gorgeous photos taken at Edgewood Tahoe by Hall Creations photography.

Lake Tahoe Cruises/Zephyr Cove Resort is another popular venue for wedding ceremonies and receptions. With the bright blue waters of Lake Tahoe and the clean, sandy beach for your backdrop, your pictures will be amazing. These wedding photographs by Doug Miranda photography capture the fun and casual vibe of a wedding at Zephyr Cove Resort.

Your wedding photographer is a key member of your wedding party. For beautiful photographs of your Lake wedding, take the time to choose the best photographer for you. Your wedding photographs will provide a lifetime of memories.

This blog first appeared on tahoeweddingsites.com/blog and is reprinted with permission.

The 4th annual Genoa Cowboy Festival celebrates the cowboy way with concerts by top-rated Western entertainers and cowboy poets like Waddie Mitchell, Dave Stamey, Riders in the Sky, Hot Club of Cowtown, Mary Kaye, Saddle Cats, and Richard Elloyan. The full event schedule is here.

Clockwise, from top left: Riders in the Sky, Dave Stamey, Hot Club of Cowtown, and Waddie Mitchell

Tours, breakfast, lunch and Basque as well as Cowboy Dinners are planned along with presentations on Western and Native American history and culture, open mic and square dancing.   

Western Art & Gear Show is open to the public with roving entertainment throughout the Town.  Parking is free and available throughout the historic Town. 

Concert tickets, one-day passes, three-day passes, and all-events passes are available online.

For more information, visit www.genoacowboyfestival.org or call 775-782-8696.

Spring is in the air, and the live music in Tahoe South is starting to heat up! Here are the headline acts for May – get your tickets today!

Sammy Hagar returns to Harrah’s for his annual Cinco de Mayo weekend party with “Four Decades of Rock,” May 3 & 4. One of rock music's most dynamic and prolific artists, the “Red Rocker” has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written with songs like "I Can't Drive 55," "Right Now," and "Why Can't This Be Love."

If “Sweet Caroline” and “America” are on your playlist, then you need to experience the best and most eclectic Neil Diamond tribute in the country, Super Diamond, Saturday, May 11 in the South Shore Room at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe.

The Shins are an American indie rock band from Albuquerque, New Mexico, formed in 1996. They reached a wide audience when two of their songs, "Caring Is Creepy" and "New Slang," were featured prominently on the soundtrack for the 2004 film Garden State. The Shins with special guest Ra Ra Riot perform live at MontBleu on Saturday, May 11.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are an American band led by Alex Ebert, who is also a vocalist of the power pop group Ima Robot. The song “Home” from their first full length album, “Up from Below” reached 18 on the US Alternative charts, and their second album, “Here,” ranked No. 7 on Rolling Stone's Best Albums of 2012 list. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros perform live at MontBleu on Thursday, May 23.

Legendary San Francisco rock band Jefferson Starship brings more than four decades of classic hits to Harrah’s Lake Tahoe on Memorial Day Weekend, May 26. Led by musician/songwriter Paul Kantner, founder of Jefferson Airplane and Starship, Starship was the first San Francisco band to sign a major record deal, paving the way for other legends like Grateful Dead & Janis Joplin.

Gretchen Wilson made her country music debut in 2004 with the Grammy Award-winning single "Redneck Woman," a number-one hit on the Billboard country charts. Overall, Wilson has charted 13 singles on the Billboard country charts, of which five have reached Top 10, including the No. 1 "Redneck Woman," as well as "Here for the Party.” The party is at MontBleu, Friday, May 31.

Looking for even more fun on your visit to Tahoe South? Check out all of our event listings at www.tahoesouth.com/events

After you've burned 6,000 calories skiing or mountain biking all day, you'll need a good place to get back some of those calories and protein that will help you maintain energy for your next day's adventure. There's nothing like treating yourself to a good steak or rack of barbecue ribs now and then. Tahoe South has plenty of delicious options: (Note: Vegetarians should probably stop reading now, and click here for a list of meat-free dining options.)

Ciera Steak + Chophouse at MontBleu has been recognized for five straight years as a AAA Four Diamond Award winning restaurant – the only Tahoe South establishment accorded the designation.

Classic ambiance at Ciera Steak + Chophouse at MontBleu Resort.

Ciera offers a classic ambiance: leather booths, rich wood paneling and glass chandeliers. The culinary creations and innovative menu includes Ciera’s signature steak the Cowboy Rib Eye, 24 oz. certified angus beef, bone-in, well-marbled, juicy and full of flavor; Organic Pork Rib Chop, 16 oz. pan seared, caramelized sweet Maui onions and calvados-apple demi-glace; and Steak ‘Au Poivre’ 14 oz. of black pepper crusted certified angus beef strip loin, served with brandy-green peppercorn demi-glace.

Eat a steak or look at the lake? Friday’s Station Steak & Seafood Grill gives you both. Located on the top floor of Harrah’s hotel tower, the restaurant’s features include a dramatic entrance, a 1,000-bottle display wine cellar and magnificent views from every table. Friday’s Station specializes in a wide variety of Certified Angus and USDA Choice beef, ocean-fresh seafood specials and tantalizing side dishes.

A landmark at Tahoe South since 1947, The Sage Room at Harveys Lake Tahoe is an elegant Western-themed steakhouse popular with locals and guests. The Sage Room’s décor includes original Native American lamps that were gifted to Harveys from the Washoe Tribe, as well as the original bar and hand-hewn beams that were part of the original log cabin that housed Harveys in 1944. The Sage Room has a classic Lake Tahoe steakhouse menu featuring unique appetizers and salads, along with Black Angus steaks, poultry, veal, lamb, Beef Wellington and seafood. Dessert specialties include Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee, both prepared tableside.

What tastes good after a great day of skiing? Barbecue. The 360 Smokehouse BBQ, inside the Grandview Lodge at the top of Grandview Express, is Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort's premier on-mountain restaurant. With spectacular views of Lake Tahoe and the surrounding mountains from the roof deck, a comfortable back yard BBQ vibe, and one of the spiciest Bloody Marys in the area, the 360 Smokehouse BBQ is well worth coming back to after a day on the slopes.

Ample portions at Sierra-at-Tahoe's 360 Smokehouse Grill. Photo by Kristen Lummis

A local's favorite for barbecue is Rojo's, voted as having the best ribs by readers of the Tahoe Daily Tribune. Whether it’s burgers, sandwiches or steak, Rojo's has an ambiance that combines classic old Tahoe with traditional barbecue dining. A unique and tangy sauce slathered on chicken, short ribs or spare ribs brings people back to the place; no plate is complete without Rojo's Famous Fries.

Hungry yet? Try these blog posts for additional restaurant suggestions:

• Thanksgiving in Tahoe South
• A Local's Guide to Hidden Gems in South Lake Tahoe
• Restaurant Review - Latin Soul

Do you have a favorite Tahoe South steakhouse and barbecue joint? Share your top picks in the comments below.

Erin Frederick works for Weidinger Public Relations, the agency that oversees public relations efforts for Tahoe South.