• Touring Tahoe by kayak
• Groovy Gear
• Mountain Mutt's Tip o' the Week
• See the latest Mountain Mutt photo contest winner
• Publish your own outdoor photos

Touring Tahoe by kayak

By Wendy Lautner, aka The Mountain Mutt*

Folks looking to experience a peaceful view of Lake Tahoe's blue will find the seat of a kayak a great place to start. Featuring a rugged 72-mile coastline, speckled with hidden coves and beaches along the way, Tahoe poises itself as a kayaking Mecca. Choose between guided tours, self-guided day trips or the monster self-supported, five-day circumnavigation of the entire lake.

A handful of kayak outfitters offer rentals and lessons, but if you want to make the most of Tahoe's must-see lake landmarks, tours offer time-efficient, enjoyable alternatives to the choose-your-own-adventure approach.

Recommended tours

• Thunderbird Lodge Owned in his heyday by the original eclectic Tahoe tycoon George Whittell, adds a little mystique and intrigue to the otherwise remote East Shore. Explore the ornate mansion complete with secret tunnels on a Wednesday-only tour offered by Tahoe City Kayak. Bonus: In addition to taking a ride in the Thunderbird time machine, folks also get to bask in the beautiful scenery passing Sand Harbor and Spooner Summit in the process.

• Emerald Bay Get up close and personal with Tahoe's only island on a tour to Emerald Bay. Treat yourself to a treasure hunt and you just might find a sunken bathtub or a couple of ships while gliding over the sandy bottomed bay.

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Groovy Gear: Get the best vest

Once you decide you really like paddling, one of the nicest gear gifts to make yourself is a true paddling vest. These are a lot shorter in the waist than say, a water-ski vest, so when you're seated, your lap doesn't push the vest up around your ears. Northwest River Supply is one of the biggest vendors -- look on their website, www.nrsweb.com, for models starting at $65. Other sport-specific differences include larger arm holes for more freedom of movement, and flotation pads in front, so leaning back in your boat is more comfy.
Photo courtesy of www.nrsweb.com.

Take your best shot
Mountain Mutt's Tip o' the Week!

Kayaking provides some gorgeous photo opportunities, but how do you manage to paddle, stay balanced and shoot that perfect picture? It's not easy, but below are some tips from outdoor eyes.com, an outdoor photography website.

• NEVER hang the camera around your neck, even for a second. If you hit rough water, you just might have a camera noose.

• Use a wrist strap on the camera, and a leash on your paddle. A split second's all it takes to drop either one.

• Paddle with a partner who can stabilize you while shooting.

• Watch out for the sun and the brim of your hat or helmet.

For more great photo tips, check out www.outdooreyes.com.

Mountain Mutt photo winner of the week!

The Roth family has done it again! Murphy was one of our Powderhounds last winter, and it looks like there's no stopping this dog. The love of the great outdoors continues this summer as Murphy romps around Paige Meadows. The Roths win a Mountain Mutt T-shirt and are now entered into the grand prize drawing for a $100 Petco gift certificate.

Think your pup has what it takes to be a Mountain Mutt? Then send us your best photo of your dog out and about in the Sierra Nevada summer. We'll post the photos each week in our Mountain Mutt gallery, plus we'll pick a weekly winner and send a collector's item Mountain Mutt T-shirt (designed by Reno eNVy). At the end of the summer, one lucky dog will be crowned this year's supreme Mountain Mutt and that pooch will win a $100 Petco gift certificate. E-mail your photo to info@TahoeRenoOnline.com. Oh, and we don't discriminate; we love pure bred pups too! Good luck!

Publish your outdoor photos!

Have you always wanted others to see your great outdoor photos? Now's your chance! Publish your pictures on our Mountain Mutt photo site, and you can share your talent with the world! Publish pictures of your very own Mutt, or that gorgeous sunset shot you took while hiking, or a bird you've never seen before that flew past your kayak ... whatever it is, share your photos of the Lake Tahoe, Northern Nevada summer with us! Click here to get started, and see what your fellow readers have already published.

Click here to publish your own photos!