Cal Orey

1 week ago | tahoedailytribune.com | Cal Orey

Trading the familiar alpine air of Tahoe for a change of scenery, I envisioned a sanctuary for my canine and feline companions, seeking refuge from the crowds and a breath of pristine air. Clear Lake beckoned. The reality, however, presented a different narrative. The air quality, while improved, wasn’t the panacea I’d hoped for, and the mercury soared to a scorching 107 degrees. While the tourist pressure was less intense than Tahoe, the heat proved a tough opponent.

2 weeks ago | tahoedailytribune.com | Cal Orey

Ah, the sweet memories of summers past! I once penned the definitive guide to tea, a bible of brews. Now, with June gracing us as National Iced Tea Month, it’s the perfect moment to revisit those days of tea-sipping bliss. Back then, my doorstep was a constant parade of tea boxes, complimentary gifts from the industry’s titans. I was, quite simply, in tea heaven, joyfully exploring the refreshing universe of teas and herbal infusions.

3 weeks ago | tahoedailytribune.com | Cal Orey

During my first trip to the South Shore it was my playground, and I was on a mission to conquer it. I worked around the clock on my book, grilled locals for insider tips, and scouted neighborhoods like a hawk searching for its new nest. My Type A personality, inherited from my mom, was in overdrive, fueled by a relentless drive to achieve my goals ASAP. As history tells it, Type A and Type B personalities were labeled by a top cardio doc back in the fifties.

1 month ago | tahoedailytribune.com | Cal Orey

Twenty-five years back, upon establishing roots in South Shore, I initiated a deliberate intervention: cultivating a dedicated green space, a personal plant collection. As time progressed, this botanical foothold expanded claiming territory on the deck with potted specimens–maples, aspens, even lavender.

1 month ago | tahoedailytribune.com | Cal Orey

In my twenties, I ventured to the South Shore with my dog, eager to bask in the sun. But I recall our fun trip was affected by surrounding wildfires affecting the Tahoe Basin. The sky was a dull grey, devoid of sunshine, and found myself lamenting, “I can’t get a tan.” Unbeknownst to me, the unhealthy air posed risks not only to my health but also to my dog’s well-being. All I could sense was that the once-pure mountain air had vanished, casting a shadow over our escapade.