March 12, 2014 | Tim Hauserman

Visitors to Lake Tahoe often come to the lake with specific plans for the recreational activities they will pursue here based on the calendar. If it’s March they bring up the skis. In June you will see cars with kayaks and mountain bikes hoisted onto the roof. In July, folks bring up a bathing suit, hiking boots and a good trashy novel. But what if Mother Nature has other plans? Take this year for example, we didn’t get a ton of snow, does that mean we are out of luck? No…It means we have to follow the rules of nature and pick our sport based on what is given to us, not on what we think should be happening. At Tahoe there is always a wonderful way to be outside. We just have to figure out what it is, and then be flexible.

Over the next few weeks, my plan is to post a series of blogs with lots of great things to do at Tahoe in the springtime. This year, we get to do stuff that we don’t always get to do so early in the year. Take advantage of the situation and enjoy:

Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

Head to the Beach-According to the all powerful Tahoe calendar you go to the beach in July, right? Instead, go there now. Have you seen the Commons Beach lately? The place is gorgeous. There is not a bit of snow, the views are spectacular, and your kids will be part of just a small contingent of kids doing their thing on the playground. In other words the lake is just as beautiful as in July, but the beach is quiet and the grass is devoid of people. Just right for tossing around a Frisbee. Or you could bring a lawn chair and dig into that trashy novel now, read the sequel in July. You will have to wear a bit more clothes then in the summer, but it’s worth it.

Take a Hike-The rules of hiking in the spring are simple. South facing, low elevation trails are the first trails to lose the snow. So right about now, or after a few more of these warm days, you will be able to hike near Truckee on the Emigrant Trail, north out of Tahoe City on the Tahoe Rim Trail, or down to the Vikingsholm in Emerald Bay. Have you seen the crowds at Emerald Bay in July? Go there now and enjoy the quiet.

I will be watching the weather and passing on more fun ways to get out there hiking, biking, kayaking and enjoying Lake Tahoe. But first, tomorrow, I’m heading to Verdi for a road bike ride. You gotta love this place.