Sun, Sun, and more Sun to come!

It is extremely exciting to have had the sun for so many days in a row--I love the rain and snow, but it is time for Spring to "push" itself in, because summer is almost here. Looking at www.wunderground.com it appears we are in store for a good deal more sun.

We usually have our boat in the lake the minute the docks allow, but we held off putting in the old boat and are glad we did! Enthusiasts who could just not resist the lure of the lake, placed their boats in earlier and have suffered boats full of water, torn covers, etc. I, too, would have done the same had it not been for our busy schedule this Spring--I guess one could say our busy schedule saved our boat from "weather brutality!"

We took a drive and walk down to the docks on Sunday. It was the perfect temperature. We watched marine employees working hard to get all the boats into the water before the Memorial Day weekend hits--you can rent one too www.sierramarina.com.

Don't forget, this Spring sunshine is going to provide great weather for "The Brewfest" --a brand new happening in June! You can go to my website www.ValerieMortensen.com to find out more about what is going on in Shaver though out the summer and fall. It is the happening place to be!

Wow, What a Ride!

Yet another storm passed through Shaver Lake last evening and today. The winds were very gusty and the extended overhang on our home did little to keep the windows dry. Wow, did it rain! No hail this time! No snow either, but a great storm none the less! The winds have continued throughout the day, but the sun broke out around noon and I am watching it set now through blue sky and patchy, wispy clouds. You can always go to www.wunderground.com, type in the zip of Shaver Lake (93664) and get some fairly accurate details about Shaver weather. But I will do my best to tell you what is really going on up here, so stayed tuned.

You May Rake Leaves But...

You might moan and groan when it is time to rake leaves around your home in the fall, but here in the moutains raking for us begins in the Spring. In fact we have notice that inspection crews began April 19 inspecting for proper clearing. Raking and clearing makes our lot/homes look beautiful, but beauty is not the reasoning we use --fire safety is. Raking leaves and Pine Needles to clear 35 feet around any structure used to be the norm, beginning this year CDF is requiring 100 feet from any structure. I am tired already!

Snow Results!

Shaver woke up to about three new inches of snow this morning--enough snow to actually accumulate on the ground (snow does not usually "stick" this time of the year). My snow tires have been removed and have been elsewhere for three weeks now and those wonderful tiny chains I wear over my shoes were stored in the attic last week. Although I am ready for Spring (snow attire placed away for the season), it was nice to see that wonderful white blanket on the ground. I just can't get enough of that 'pure white stuff." The sun is drifting in and out of the clouds today, and with snow on the ground it is very picturesque.

Spring? Hello, Spring?

Last evening after a wonderful Mother's Day in Fresno, we came home to pouring rains on the mountain. Since waking this AM I have experienced heavy rain, a half inch of hail and now it is snowing--big flakes too. There is nothing like large flakes of snow falling across tall trees of green. The ground is mostly white and it is beginning to stick to the trees too. The roads are white as well, which is rare for this time of the year--roads are usually too warm for the snow to stick.
I have a fire in the stove to warm the house which makes watching the snow the best it can be! I will have a big cup of cocoa in honor of all of you who may not be experiencing my current piece of heaven!

Oh ! How I Appreciate Shaver!

I grew up in the Valley, in Fresno to be specific. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for that town, but today I realized why Shaver is so appealing to me.

I often get the "bug" to get to the city...the buzz of people everywhere, the social chat as one shops, the traffic jams---I guess I really don't look forward to the traffic jams. But I continued through my (traffic jams) day realizing the great differences between where I grew up and where I live today. I did enjoy my day in Fresno, the fresh vegetables in the store, Mocha Berry Coffee at Starbucks www.starbucks.com, Sees Candy www.sees.com, but, as I slowly meandered back home up 168 and into the clouds I could smell the manzinita and feel the air cool as I drove higher and higher in elevation. Green became a dominating color, and the grey of concrete slowly disappeared. Squirrels scampered in the distance, deer jotted across my path, and the trees loomed overhead seeming to get taller and taller as they engulfed the highway. What a change in surroundings in a short 40 minute drive. Yet once here one is only minutes from skiing, boating, hiking, and the forest--there is nothing like the forest. I do need to get to "the city" once in a while, but today I am most comfortable in Shaver Lake.

I am always surprised, when visiting the Valley, to here people say that they have never been to Shaver--you live in Fresno and you have never been to Shaver? Whoa, that must change! The Sierra Nevada Mountains provide a little piece of heaven and are so close to valley cities! So if you read this and you have never been to Shaver Lake, come on up--you will love it!

I Can't Believe We are Still Skiing in May!

A week ago Monday it may have been "snow cone" snow, but it was great to still be on the slopes--in fact on a Monday in late April with a total of only ten people at the Summit we felt like we owned the place. Skiing was too sluggish in the afternoon, but up until 1PM it was perfect! The Summit is open weekends until after Memorial Day; something that rarely happens--so go and enjoy and "stretch" that yearly pass until it breaks!!

How Full Will It Get and When?

All reservoirs will fill this year. Cool weather this spring slows the runoff. Huntington and Shaver Lake levels are low in anticipation of inflow.
Edison Lake will reach full capacity July 1, and start slowly decreasing in September to 106,000AF by October 1.
Florence Lake will reach full capacity by July 1 and start decreasing in
August to 29,000AF by October.
Huntington Lake will reach full capacity by July 1 and will remain full through September 1, decreasing to 64,000AF by October 1.
Shaver Lake will drawn down to 65,000AF by May 1 in anticipation of the signigicant inflows to come. Shaver Lake will be full by July 1 and then start decreasing in August to 121,000AF by October 1.

It is really Spring in Shaver?

One would not know it was Spring in Shaver if you were here today. We had rain, rain and more rain. The streams are gushing with water, and the lake, the lowest it has been in some time, awaits the snowmelt and can MORE than accomdate the current rainfall.