Comments on: Donner Pass http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/ Award winning applications of marketing and technology in the auction industry Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:22:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: John http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/comment-page-1/#comment-1003 John Mon, 03 Nov 2008 23:49:15 +0000 http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/#comment-1003 Jim, thanks for the comments. I can imagine your father sweating bullets. It's been about a year since I was there, but the trip up the summit on "Donner Pass Road" is quite the trip. I was in a SUV with 4-wheel drive, and all the amenities. There were moments of "wow, it's a long ways down." However, I was able to imagine what it must have been like. As you imply, the lack of power steering and power brakes had to make the experience quite the daunting task. I was lucky and snuck through with a relatively beautiful day (at least by Minnesota standards). I was in long sleeves and no coat. I traversed around the entire lake. While there are many many pristine spots, as you drive around the lake, there are definite signs of habitat by humans. Most of the landscape appears to be rugged enough however that development is not exploding (at least not visible development). I didn't stop and spend time in Tahoe, but rather focused on the more "wild" parks and roadside stops (including a few no-stopping spots). That said, the sheer beauty was magnificent, and I'm planning on making a return trip! I'm sure it's lost some of luster of the "former jewel" especially if it's been several decades since you've last been to visit. That said, I think it's still one of the most picturesque spots I've seen in the US! Jim, thanks for the comments. I can imagine your father sweating bullets. It’s been about a year since I was there, but the trip up the summit on “Donner Pass Road” is quite the trip. I was in a SUV with 4-wheel drive, and all the amenities. There were moments of “wow, it’s a long ways down.” However, I was able to imagine what it must have been like. As you imply, the lack of power steering and power brakes had to make the experience quite the daunting task.

I was lucky and snuck through with a relatively beautiful day (at least by Minnesota standards). I was in long sleeves and no coat. I traversed around the entire lake. While there are many many pristine spots, as you drive around the lake, there are definite signs of habitat by humans. Most of the landscape appears to be rugged enough however that development is not exploding (at least not visible development). I didn’t stop and spend time in Tahoe, but rather focused on the more “wild” parks and roadside stops (including a few no-stopping spots). That said, the sheer beauty was magnificent, and I’m planning on making a return trip!

I’m sure it’s lost some of luster of the “former jewel” especially if it’s been several decades since you’ve last been to visit. That said, I think it’s still one of the most picturesque spots I’ve seen in the US!

]]> By: Jim http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/comment-page-1/#comment-1002 Jim Fri, 31 Oct 2008 01:38:35 +0000 http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/#comment-1002 I just watched Lincoln Highway on PBS and became intrigued. As I suspected, as a young child my family crossed Donner Pass before I-80 was built, so we were on the old Rt. 40. I always loved hitting the summit, although my father was sweating bullets. Remember, not everybody had power steering and power brakes and the weather can be, shall we say, unforgiving? But the first glimpse of Donner Lake after eclipsing the crest of Donner Summit was awe inspiring. This was the early 60s, and Donner was totally pristine and Tahoe was close. You could look down into the water of Tahoe at that point from the end of the longest pier and see huge trout as if you could touch them. No algae, murkiness, nothing. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I haven't been back to Tahoe in many years, living on the east coast for the past several decades, but the last time I went I nearly broke down. What have they done with that former jewel? I just watched Lincoln Highway on PBS and became intrigued. As I suspected, as a young child my family crossed Donner Pass before I-80 was built, so we were on the old Rt. 40. I always loved hitting the summit, although my father was sweating bullets. Remember, not everybody had power steering and power brakes and the weather can be, shall we say, unforgiving? But the first glimpse of Donner Lake after eclipsing the crest of Donner Summit was awe inspiring. This was the early 60s, and Donner was totally pristine and Tahoe was close. You could look down into the water of Tahoe at that point from the end of the longest pier and see huge trout as if you could touch them. No algae, murkiness, nothing. I remember it as if it were yesterday.

I haven’t been back to Tahoe in many years, living on the east coast for the past several decades, but the last time I went I nearly broke down. What have they done with that former jewel?

]]> By: John http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/comment-page-1/#comment-30 John Sat, 15 Dec 2007 02:23:06 +0000 http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/#comment-30 Brian, Awesome shots! I especially like the video from the motorcycle ride. You've got a great site. I'll be checking it for updates! john Brian,

Awesome shots! I especially like the video from the motorcycle ride. You’ve got a great site. I’ll be checking it for updates!

john

]]> By: Brian Butko http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Brian Butko Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:21:53 +0000 http://johndschultz.com/donner-pass/#comment-22 Great photos John, sounds like it was a fun drive. I've posted a number of Donner Pass images lately on my Lincoln Highway blog, including a motorcycle ride (12/9), a 1930s snow photo and Donner Party book recommendation (12/3), and the bear rescue (11/12 and 10/31). Brian http://www.lincolnhighwaynews.com Great photos John, sounds like it was a fun drive. I’ve posted a number of Donner Pass images lately on my Lincoln Highway blog, including a motorcycle ride (12/9), a 1930s snow photo and Donner Party book recommendation (12/3), and the bear rescue (11/12 and 10/31).

Brian
http://www.lincolnhighwaynews.com

]]>