Northwoods Tahoe November 2022

TAHOE November 2022

Serving Truckee & Tahoe “Slim Pickings” by Aaron Jones

Publisher: harryJONES

Editors: allisonJONES MelanieCano

Layout design: aaronJONES

Contributing Writer: MarkMclaughlin

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McGlashan’s Midnight Ride

By Mark McLaughlin

Over the past 135 years, railroad crews have fought blizzards, avalanches, accidents, and derailments in the Sierra Nevada. Despite their best efforts, there have been overwhelming storms that have blockaded the railroad for days, even weeks at a time. Keeping the line open over the Sierra Nevada was and is a perilous job and not for the faint of heart.

Charles F. McGlashan, considered by many to be the patriarch of Truckee, was the long-time editor of “The Truckee Republican” newspaper. During a severe storm in January 1880, McGlashan’s climbed aboard a Central Pacific

snowplow to see for himself how railroad men endured blizzards in the mountains. His thrilling, first-hand account of his near-fatal experience was published as “A Fearful Ride (on a Snow Plow)” in the Republican and later reprinted in Thompson & West’s History of Nevada County.

McGlashan developed the scene by describing the desperate conditions west of Donner Pass: “The gale increased until it became a hurricane. Early in the day it became evident that a new and hitherto unheard of danger threatened the Central Pacific. It was a danger that caused the bravest men to turn pale. The snow-sheds showed indications of falling. These sheds are over thirty miles in length, and for years have withstood every shock of the elements.” (The wood and metal snowsheds were built to protect trains and track from avalanches and rockslides.)

“Soon after noon, 100 feet of corrugated iron shed blew down, and freight train

Continued from page 3

No. 6 went crashing into the ruins. The collision caused another large section of shedding to fall and the doomed train was buried beneath a mass of broken timbers and deep piled drifts. Three men were completely hidden from sight, but providentially suffered no serious injury. Buckley’s snowplow ran to the wreck with a full crew of workmen, and by great exertion succeeded in drawing the rear cars of No. 6 back to Cisco. Meantime 500 feet of snowshed fell between that point and Emigrant Gap.”

McGlashan explained in detail the risks taken by the railroad men: “A storm on the Sierra means toil and danger to hundreds of poor fellows. The warfare between these men and the elements is worthy of being better understood. It is a warfare wherein brain and muscle are arrayed against cold, darkness and avalanches, against death in a thousand forms.”

“Of late years no headlights are placed on the plows. From the moment the hoarse whistles indicate the start, all in front of the plow is profound darkness. There is no limit to the speed of a snowplow train, and when flying into the teeth of a hurricane, it is impossible to face the darting snow granules, which cut and sting the eyes like needlepoints. Up over the plow come huge masses of snow which sometimes seem ready to bury one.”

Engine crews called the snow-clearing shifts a “suicide run.” Forcing a massive wedge through deep drifts at high speed could mean life or death. Powered by 8 to 12 locomotives at full throttle, the plow would often plunge into the first drift at speeds in excess of 40 miles-perhour. Hitting the dense snowpack was like racing into a pile of bricks. Derailments were common, as were shattered windshields smashed by flying chunks of icy snow.

A great sense of adventure ran deep through Charles F. McGlashan, which made him a favorite field correspondent for the Nevada City, Sacramento and San Francisco newspapers. On that stormy night in January 1880, he climbed aboard a Central Pacific snowplow looking for action and soon found it: “It was intended

that the engines should wood up at Cold Stream [near Donner Lake]. Just before the woodsheds were reached, however, the plowing became so heavy that Coburn pulled the bell-ropes for ‘off brakes.’ This meant that more power was requisite and the head engine had no sooner sounded the whistle than every throttle was wide open and every engine was working under a full head of steam. The speed was something alarming. It not only cleared the track, but also caused the engines to shoot clear through the long woodshed and far out into the storm and darkness. When the momentum was finally overcome, it was necessary for the engines to back down to the woodpiles. A snowplow cannot be backed without being thrown from the track, for the loose snow gets under the apron and lifts the ponderous plow bodily from the rails. Accordingly, the plow was uncoupled and left standing while the engines went back to the sheds. In due time they were supplied with fuel and the whistle sounded ‘off brakes.’ The darkness was so intense that none of the engineers save the head one knew that the plow had been detached.”

McGlashan described the confusion among the men who were working in blinding conditions. He wrote, “While the engines were wooding up, the two crews had come down from the top and were standing inside the plow. After the engines had got under full headway, these men realized that a frightful collision would occur when the six engines struck the [stranded] plow. With a rush for the door of the snowplow, each one endeavored to jump out into the snow by the side of the track. The banks thrown up by the plow were from four to six feet in height and one could not spring upon them from the door. It was necessary to climb the iron ladder on the rear of the plow and to

Charles McGlashan with daughter Ximena c. 1913

spring from there. One by one the six men in the car climbed the ladder and escaped. Graham climbed on the plow and sitting astride the safety rope, braced himself to withstand the shock. The head engine screamed for ‘down brakes’ but the flying engines on the icy rails had no power to check the speed.”

McGlashan perfectly captured the horrifying moment with his first hand account. “Wooden was the last man out, and just as the collision came he partly sprang and was partly hurled out into the snow. The last man did we say? No! The Republican editor [McGlashan himself] was behind Wooden and had just grasped the top rung of the ladder as the engines struck. Couplings of the head engine were crushed into fragments. The hind end of the snowplow was shivered as if by a stroke of lightning, and the plow dashed ahead as if it was suddenly shot from a cannon. Every engine felt the heavy shock, and the wheels of each were instantly reversed. Knocked from the ladder, the Republican man struck some portion of the forward engine. In a twinkling he was rolled and crumpled in all conceivable shapes between the engines and the clean-shaven snow wall left by the plow. Perfectly conscious, he was nevertheless as helpless as a straw in a threshing machine.”

People who survive violent car wrecks or other neardeath experiences often tell how the event itself seemed to happen in slow motion, giving time for them to consider the nature of their mortality. So it was with McGlashan as he tumbled along the snow-covered tracks near the steel wheels that meant horrible death: “Indeed, the principal thought at such a moment is a wonderful appreciation of the majestic power of a ten-wheel, fifty-ton locomotive,” he wrote. “Jammed and twisted and whirled and dragged, one has time to wish that a friendly squeeze of the cylinder head or a sudden clash of the walking beam would end the agony, rather than the cruel wheels should close the scene. The darkness of a stormy night is absolute blackness under a train of moving engines. There is not a ray of light. Yet no light could have aided in a complete realization of the situation.”

It is obvious that McGlashan was vividly reliving his neardeath experience as he penned the article; “Every muscle quivers as it touches the whirling, grinding wheels. One is dragged along by their very contact, yet not fast enough to escape being overtaken by the truck-wheels and drivers of the next locomotive. One thinks that death is delayed but one instant and wonders if legs or arms or head will be crushed first. There is no thought of past or future. Suddenly there is a consciousness that by lying perfectly still and straight there is possibly room between the wheels and the snow wall for one’s body. Instinctively the wall is hugged. The wheels still graze, graze, and graze as they pass.”

McGlashan survived because the three locomotives that ran over him were pushing a giant wedge plow so additional pilot blades were not required. McGlashan’s overcoat was torn, but he miraculously escaped without a scratch.

Ironically, this nearly tragic accident probably saved the whole crew from disaster. The men had been ordered to clear the rails between Donner Summit and Cisco, but as it turned out, nearly 800 feet of snowsheds had collapsed just west of the summit. As McGlashan points out, “Had the snow plow train dashed into the fallen sheds, no man on board would have lived to tell the tale.”

Railroad Snow Plow on Donner Pass, 1866 Photo Courtesy of Library of Congress

Interior Spaces: SlidingBypass Doors

Customizing interior spaces to suit your unique needs can be easy and economical with a solution like versatile sliding bypass doors. If you want to create a multi-functional living area, save space, allow more privacy or enhance architectural appeal – or all of these at once –sliding bypass doors can help you achieve your goals. From kitchens to laundry areas, installing bypass doors provides a fast, economical way to adapt floor plans to diverse lifestyles.

Kitchens with adjoining spaces are perfect spots for bypass doors. For instance, Johnson Hardware’s 111SD Sliding Bypass Door Hardware lets you reconfigure a kitchen and beverage area with a bold functional divider. Holding on-trend glass and metal doors up to 150 lbs. each, the hardware lets you tuck away essentials while keeping them within sight and easy reach.

Another solution for closets in hallways and mudrooms is the 138F Sliding Bypass Door Hardware, which also provides versatility and an appealing appearance. Concealing clutter while adding clean lines, it supports most styles of doors weighing up to 200 lbs. Inventive down to the last detail, it has a precision-extruded, jumpproof aluminum box track featuring line-design fascia. This fascia hides scratches and fingerprints, plus, it holds paint for the look you want. Tricycle door hangers

feature a quick disconnect clip system, making it a snap to mount and dismount door panels. These hangers are also readily adjustable for height in case of settling.

In addition, Johnson’s innovative soft-close feature for smooth, quiet, fingertip-touch door operation is available for a variety of bypass hardware kits, as well as pocket door and wall mount door hardware kits. Soft-close technology slows down door speed gradually, preventing slamming and finger pinching for carefree use.

Ideal for converting a closet into a neat, discrete laundry area, sliding bypass door hardware is right at home in second-floor laundry areas or residences where space is precious, such as condos and townhouses. Bypass doors save 14 square feet of floor space over swinging doors, which can be used for furniture, storage and decor.

Bypass hardware offers many fresh options for configuring interiors. Gliding on separate tracks, bypass doors overlap for wide entryways everyone can easily use and allow quick access to items. When closed, wooden doors offer extra privacy and quiet. Combined metal-andglass doors create an open-air aesthetic.

For more design ideas to save space with creative sliding door hardware, visit johnsonhardware.com or call 574-293-5664.

Light Up the Night

https://www.tahoedonner.com/events /light-up-the-night-3/

Welcome winter with a little magic and merriment! Bundle up in your warmest coat and enjoy the Tahoe Donner’s annual tree lighting ceremony. The evening’s festivi ties include musical performances from a local choir, hot cocoa and cider, wine and beer, and a very special visit from Santa Claus! Arrive by 6:15pm to get your photo with Santa, and the tree lighting begins at 6:20pm.

Handel’s Messiah - Truckee https://www.tdrpd.org/223/Halloween-Parade

The Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Cho rus will conclude their 17th Season with a production of HANDEL’S MESSIAH, along with seasonal carols that the audience will be most welcome to join in singing.

Vocal Soloists for these performances will include soloists from our Chorus, and other area musicians.

The TOCCATA Orchestra features Heidi Modr as Concertmaster; David Brock and Nick Haines as continuo; with William Cates and Joe Savage on Baroque (piccolo) Trumpet.

All performances will be conducted by Maestro James Rawie.

NOVEMBER TO DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS

EDITOR’S NOTE: Click or tap on any event to go to the event’s website. The information in the calendar is up to date as of time of publishing. Please verify details of events as changes can occur.

NORTH LAKE TAHOE

Santa Visits + Tree Lighting Ceremony

https://www.palisadestahoe.com/ events-and-activities/events-calendar/

treelighting-ceremony

Join Palisades Tahoe for their annual tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus on November 25th. There will be a full afternoon of exciting events and activ ities for all ages. This event is free, and all are welcome to join.

3rd Outdoor Holiday Market at Muse

www.museartreclaimed.com

This beloved annual market is on again, bringing you live music by GBrownSound and Sisters in Harmony, food and hot cocoa by Mogrog, adult beverages bene fitting he The Lake Tahoe Dance Collective and an array of local artisanal goods and artwork. Come celebrate!

Base to Base Gondola Grand Opening Celebration

https://www.palisadestahoe.com/events-andactivities/events-calendar/base-to-basegondola-grand-opening-celebration

A Christmas

ChaosA Holiday Comedy http://www.truckeecommunitytheater.com/ tickets.html

When The Royal Shakespeare Company doesn’t show up to perform their stirring rendition of A Christmas Carol, it’s up to this intrepid band of hapless actors and techni cians to pull together their own production in less than seven hours! Have you ever experienced backstage mayhem?

This play is hilariously fun for the whole family.

Directed by Loren McCormac and Christo pher Liedholm

New Year’s Eve Glowstick Parade +

Fireworks Show

https://www.tahoedonner.com/events/newyears-eve-glowstick-parade-fireworks-show/

This fun event is for intermediate skiers and riders ages 10 or older. Music and snacks will be provided in the bar area prior to the parade, with a chair loading time of 6:15pm. Fireworks will commence following the precession. Limited spots available. Free event for all!

8th Annual Tahoe Film Fest

https://tahoefilmfest.com/

The festival finds new and important envi ronmental films to showcase as a way of educating our young people and celebrat ing the efforts of everyone who helps to maintain the beauty of such a pristine lake and its surroundings. Tahoe Film Fest also celebrates a section of American Indepen dent Films, New Films from Latin America and a Filmmaker Tribute.

Join Palisades Tahoe on Saturday, Decem ber 17th to celebrate the historic opening of the Base to Base Gondola. The Alpine Lodge and The Village at Palisades Tahoe will now be connected by a 16-minute ride across stunning views of the Sierras and Lake Tahoe. Celebrate while ringing in a new era at Palisades Tahoe!

Great Basin Carolers

https://www.palisadestahoe.com/events-andactivities/events-calendar/great-basin-carolers

Enjoy the sounds of the season in The Vil lage at Palisades Tahoe! Live caroling from the Great Basin Carolers will spread the holiday cheer. Great Basin Carolers will be performing from 4-7pm on December 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE

DEC 10, 2022

Holiday Tree Lighting at the Heavenly Village Lake Tahoe https://theshopsatheavenly.com/ heavenly-holidays/

The Shops at Heavenly Village Lake Tahoe warmly invite you to come to celebrate the lighting of our 70′ tall cut Christmas tree. Free entry. Hosted by Congressman Tom McClintock.

UC Davis Tahoe Science Lecture Series http://tahoe.ucdavis.edu/events/

True fir mortality: canaries of mixed-conifer forests

Have you noticed all the dead trees around Tahoe? Trees in our region are dying at an alarming rate, specifically true firs. Red and white firs are an important ecosystem component to mixed-conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada.

RENO

NOV 23 - DEC 25, 2022

CHRISTMAS WONDERLAND

https://www.eldoradoreno.com/event/shows/ santas-christmas-wonderland

RENO SANTA CRAWL

https://crawlreno.com/event/santa/

It’s the Hap, Hap, Happiest Time of the Year in Downtown Reno! Each year 20,000 Santas join together for a night out in Downtown Reno for one of the most unique and spectacular Christmas celebrations in the world! Established in 2001, The world-famous Reno Santa Crawl is one of the largest and longest running events of its kind. Make sure to start the night under the Reno Arch for the “Santas Under the Arch” photo at 8 p.m.!

CARSON VALLEY

CA FOOTHILLS

DEC 4-18, 2022

NEVADA CITY VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS

https://www.nevadacitychamber.com/ nevada-city-events/victorian-christmas/

Meyers Annual Tree Lighting

http://www.meyerscommunityfoundation.org/ what-we-do

The annual tree lighting event is scheduled for December 2nd at 5pm! There will be hot cocoa, popcorn, a photo opportunity with Santa, music, Santa will be dropped off by CalStar (fingers crossed), and the beautiful Meyers tree will be lit up with more lights than ever before!

Bring your family and friends for a fun filled evening complete with great Meyers Vibes. Lake Valley Fire will be in attendance with their light up truck! The tree lighting and ceremony will be held outdoors at The Divided Sky, 3200 US-50.

THE ROW announces the return of “Christmas Wonderland” in the Eldorado Showroom, beginning Thanksgiving week on Wednesday, Nov. 23, with performances through Sunday, Dec. 25. The family-friend ly Christmas spectacular will be complete with stunning costumes, festive thematic decor, performances from the highest kick ing chorus girls found on this side of the North Pole and more.

DEC 2-4, 2022

JURASSIC QUEST

https://tickets.jurassicquest.com/renonv2022

The largest and most realistic dinosaur event in North America is BACK, BIGGER and BETTER than EVER! Reno-area families can walk among the nation’s biggest herd of photorealistic dinosaurs when Jurassic Quest® opens at the Reno-Sparks Conven tion Center, December 2-4.

Festival of Winter Lights https://www.cityofslt.us/1260/ Festival-of-Winter-Lights

This FREE outdoor holiday market-style event will be hosted in the Lake Tahoe Mu seum parking lot at 3058 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Parking is available at the City of South Lake Tahoe Recreation Center at 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. Parking is limited. Please carpool or take a free Lake Link shuttle to and from the event. To book a ride visit their website: www.tahoelakelink.com

Jurassic Quest will open its doors with the most beloved and unique experienc es for the whole family including life-like dinosaurs, some of the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities including a fossil dig and real fossils like T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and life-size dino skull, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions, photo opportunities, and more.

CARSON VALLEY PARADE OF LIGHTS

https://www.carsonvalleynv.org/paradeoflights/

The Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce is excited to present the 26th Annual Pa rade of Lights. Join your family and friends, and grab your blankets and chairs to watch the floats, marching bands, and color guard make their way along Highway 395 from Eddy Street to Minden Park. Parade floats will begin to roll from Heritage Park onto Main Street from Eddy Street and will head north though town, make a left on Esmer alda, and make their way to end at Minden Town Park.

DEC 3, 2022 DEC 10, 2022

GENOA’S COWBOY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

https://www.genoanevada.org/visitors/ christmas_in_genoa.php

Celebrate a western holiday wonderland this December in historic Genoa, Nevada! All local cowpokes are invited to come out and enjoy a fabulous evening of poetry and music with drinks and dessert. It’s a tradition that’s shared with Genoa residents, neighbors, family, and friends. This year’s event will feature a performance by Cowboy Poet Tony Argento. The doors open at 5:30pm, and the performance will be from 6:30pm to 8:30pm with an intermission.

The aroma of roasted chestnuts fill the air, along with cries of street vendors hawking their wares and lamp-lit streets filled with Christmas treasures.. It’s the one & only Victorian Christmas.Welcome the holiday season in Nevada City. It’s a magical setting of hilly streets with authentic gas lamps, wandering carolers dressed in Victorian attire, and visitors sharing holiday cheer and good tidings. This annual, family tradi tion takes place two Wednesday evenings and three Sunday afternoons in December. There are holiday activities for all ages including live entertainment, yuletide treats and libations, and Father Christmas!

DEC 4, 2022

Hangtown Christmas Parade

https://www.hangtownchristmasparade.com/

A local favorite for 40+ years, this big parade is full of small-town fun. The Hang town Christmas Parade winds its way down Broadway then onto Main Street beginning at 1 pm. Spectators can enjoy everything from fine equines decked out in their best tack to high school bands in bright uniforms and the always stunning and eagerly awaited special floats that grace the Hangtown Christmas Parade. This year’s theme is Victorian, A Charles Dickens Christmas, and the Parade Grand Marshal is Albert Fausel.

Save on Holiday Shopping

Between navigating stores, searching for items at the top of wish lists and preparing for inevitable delays and last-minute requests, shopping for the holidays can make the most wonderful time of the year one of the most stressful times as well.

Even though the holidays seem to creep up faster and faster every year, and inflation adds an additional worry, there is still hope for your budget this season. To help reduce stress and avoid overspending on gifts, consider these money-saving tips from Regina Conway, consumer expert for Slickdeals, a one-of-a-kind online community of shoppers working together to shop smarter and save more.

Avoid procrastinating. Due to shifting shopping habits, there may be excess inventory in certain categories such as home goods. While it’s possible categories with extra inventory may see deep discounts later in the holiday season, don’t expect every item you want to be available at the last minute.

Set your budget with hidden costs in mind. When setting budgets, many people stop at the number they think they’ll spend on gifts alone. Make sure to factor in additional costs such as child or pet care services, shipping fees and travel costs so there are no surprises.

Tap into technology. Whether shopping for toys and technology or travel and home goods, starting your search by visiting a site like Slickdeals can help you find the best

deals this holiday season. Deals from top retailers are vetted and voted on by a community of 12 million shoppers working together to save to help ensure you’re getting the best products at the best prices. You can also set Deal Alerts to be notified when a deal matching your criteria gets posted.

Buy online, pick up in-store. Where available – including at many big box retailers – shopping online then picking up your purchases in-store (or curbside for even more convenience) can help you avoid paying shipping fees and confirm your items will arrive on time. Some retailers even offer exclusive discounts for curbside or in-store pickup.

Take advantage of membership programs. If you haven’t been a member before, many retailers that offer memberships allow for free trials to test the perks, which often include free shipping. However, remember to cancel the trial before it autosubscribes you for a full year. If you’ve previously done a trial, consider buying just a one-month membership to take advantage of the benefits during the holiday shopping season.

Abandon your shopping cart. When shopping online, add items you’re interested in to your cart, go through the check out process to the point where the retailer has your email address then simply close the browser or tab. Often, if you have not shopped from the site previously, the retailer will send you a discount code or coupon to incentivize your purchase decision.

Stock up on discounted gift cards. Taking advantage of discounted gift card sites is a simple way to save some cash on holiday purchases. Not only can you give a gift card you bought at a discount as a gift, you can also use it to shop. Just be sure not to overbuy or you may end up wasting unused cards.

Ask for a price match or adjustment. If you bought something and find a lower price within a week of that purchase, ask the retailer for a price adjustment. While this typically won’t work with special promotions, many stores, both online and brick and mortar, will price match during the holiday season. If you’re shopping in-store, take your smartphone with you and ask for the retailer to match online pricing, which can sometimes be a better deal. Asking for this match can save you time and money on shipping fees you might incur ordering online.

Check return policies. Many retailers offer extended return windows during the holiday shopping season. Make sure you look at the details of retailers’ policies to ensure you understand how much time you have to make returns and don’t have to pay return shipping or other unexpected costs.

Find more tips to get the best deals on holiday gifts at Slickdeals.net.

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