Over 7.4 million people havebeen affected by diabetes in theUnited States according to the

Census Bureau, many of which are babyboomers born between 1946 and 1964.An estimated 5 million more peoplehave diabetes but do not know it.

Recently, the University of NevadaReno, School of Medicine, AssociateProfessor Dr. Seungil Ro, Ph.D., wasawarded a sizeable grant following animportant discovery­finding a moleculethat can be used to inhibit and treatType 2 diabetes. The research helpedobtain $2 million in funding for projectdevelopment over the course of thenext three years.

Dr. Ro discovered that Type 2 diabetescan be caused by gastroparesis, a condi­tion where stomach muscles stop work­ing properly and therefore have difficul­ty moving food from the stomach to thesmall intestine.

"This new finding is contrary to the cur­rent paradigm that suggests that dia­betes causes gastroparesis," said Ro."However, our findings are supportedby the results of gastrectomy surgery(removal of a part, or all of the stom­ach), which have been shown to signifi­cantly alleviate the symptoms that arisein Type 2 diabetes patients."

The most common form of diabetes isType 2, which is a lifelong disease thatcauses blood glucose (sugar) levels torise coupled with the inability to pro­duce the insulin needed to regulate nor­mal blood sugar levels. Diabetes, whichis among the five leading causes ofdeath in the U.S., develops when thepancreas fails to produce sufficientinsulin. Without insulin, sugar builds inthe blood and can eventually cause suchcomplications as heart disease, strokes,

kidney failure, blindness and hyperten­sion. The direct cause of the diseaseremains unknown, making it challengingto discover effective treatments.

Ro is researching what causes obesityand Type 2 diabetes in the hopes ofuncovering any underlying causes. Hisresearch focuses on smooth musclebiology and gastrointestinal motility dis­orders.

"This funding will allow us to begin test­ing FDA­approved drug candidates thatwill restore the function of gastrointesti­nal regulatory cells," said Ro. "TheYUYANG Dnu Co., Ltd. funding contractwill serve as a springboard to transferthese discoveries into efficacious drugtreatments that are commercially avail­able."

YUYANG will have the rights to negoti­ate an exclusive license with the

University of Nevada, Reno for the intel­lectual property that results from thisresearch. With that, the company willwork toward the development of newtreatments with UNR School ofMedicine.

"The outstanding work of our faculty,from basic research to translationalresearch, is attracting attention," saidMridul Gautam, Ph.D. UNR vice presi­dent for Research and Innovation. "Withthe support and investment of YUYANGDnu, a global company, we will continueto enhance the competitiveness of ourfaculty, helping them grow theirresearch and make a difference in thelives of many."

"This dedicated research funding is evi­dence that UNR is at the forefront ofinnovative solutions to improve globalhealth," said UNR School of MedicineDean, Thomas L. Schwenk, M.D.

GOOD HEALTH

Generation4Boomers.com / 17

UNR School of Medicine Researcher Awarded$2M for New Diabetes Treatment

Dr. Seungil Ro, Ph.D., associate professor of physiology and cell biology has made an important discovery-finding a molecule that can be used to inhibit and treat Type 2 diabetes. This new discovery helped obtain $2million in funding for project development over the course of the next three years.

Calendar

May 12 ­ Bill Engvall, comedian, SilverLegacy, 8 p.m.

May 16 ­ Historic Reno PresentationSociety Series: The Hot August NightsStory, David Hansen, Northwest Reno

Library, free, (775)787­4100.

May 18 ­ AmgenTour of CaliforniaMen’s andWomen’s Race,South Lake Tahoe,bicycle race.

May 18 ­ NitroCircus, Next LevelTour, GreaterNevada Field, 6:30p.m.

May 19 ­Downtown RenoWine Walk, 2­5p.m., RiverwalkDistrict, $20.

May 20 ­ Poisonwith specialguest CheapTrick, 8 p.m.,Grand Sierra,Grand Theatre.

June 3 ­ Yanni, 8p.m., GrandSierra, GrandTheatre.

June 21 ­ 23 ­Quilt Show Reno,Silver StatePavilion, GrandSierra Resort,www.QuiltShowReno.com.

June 23 ­ RobertPlant and theSensational

Space Shifters, 2018 Lake TahoeSummer Concert Series, HarveysOutdoor Arena.

July 3 ­ Kenny Chesney, 2018 LakeTahoe Summer Concert Series, HarveysOutdoor Arena.

July 7 ­ Amplified Summer, Alt RockReload, Hard Rock Casino, Lake Tahoe, 5 p.m.

July 10­ 15 ­ American CenturyCelebrity Golf Tournament, EdgewoodGolf Course, www.southtahoe.activitytickets.com/activity/409.

July 14 ­ Pops on the River, RememberWhen Rock Was Young, The Elton JohnTribute, 5 p.m., Wingfield Park, Reno.

July 16 ­ Bravo on the Beach, Reno PhilOrchestra & Guest Artists, SummerConcert Series, Sand Haror Circle.

18 / Generation4Boomers.com

Calendar

Past celebrities participating, Charles Barkley,Celebrity Golf Tournament, Tahoe.

Recently, the world’s oldest per­son, a Japanese woman gainedfame when she died at age

117. Nabi Tajima, from the townKikai in southern Japan, was bornAugust 4, 1900. Tajima was the lastknown person born in the 19th cen­tury, but she was not alone in herlongivity nor was she the oldest livingwoman in the history of the world.

That distinction falls to Jeanne Calment of France (1875­1997), who lived to the age of 122­years, 164 days. She wasreported to have met Vincent van Gogh when she was 12 or13.

Still living is another Japanese woman, Chiyo Miyako, whoturned 117 ten days after Tajima’s death on May 2, 2018.And last September 15, 2017, Violet Brown of Jamaica passedaway at 117. Following right behind these three women isMasazo Nonaka, a Japanese man who is 112 years of age.

Women supercentenarian’s are living longer than men. Sixhave lived to 117, one to age 119, and Calment at 122 years.Why are people, excluding unconfirmed claims of extreme oldage, living longer?

If you listen to Sonia Arrison or read her latest book, “100Plus: How the Coming Age of Longevity Will ChangeEverything,” you begin to understand why we are living longerthan ever before. Arrison believes that before not too longhumans will be living to 150, surpassing supercentenarian’s(people living beyond age 106) will become commonplace.

For the average person, the thought of normal life expectancyreaching 150 is unthinkable, science fiction. But for Arrison,the groundwork has already been laid. “Maybe we can haveknowledge that allows people to be healthier a longer periodof time,” she told a recent college audience. Arrison believeseducation has a lot to do with it.

If living to 150 is possible, the very existence of a longer lifewill change everything we know and how we are thinking.Arrison writes “Humanity is on the cusp of an exciting longevi­ty revolution. The first person to live to 150 years has proba­bly already been born.”

What will your life look like if it were possible to live to 150?Would we outlive our children, our spouses, friends, and peo­

ple we know, and would we find it easyto adjust to new beginnings, ready toadapt. Would we outlive ourfinances, overcome physical disabili­ties, or would it be possible toregenerate ourselves.

In 100 Plus, futurist Arrisontakes us on an eye­openingjourney to the future at ourdoorsteps, where science andtechnology are beginning to radi­cally change life as we know it. She intro­duces us to the people transforming our lives: thebrilliant scientists and genius inventors and the billionaireswho fund their work.

In the very near future Arrison says fresh organs for trans­plants will be grown in laboratories, cloned stem cells willbring previously unstoppable diseases to their knees, and liv­ing past 100 will be the rule, not the exception.

Arrison, whose grandfather was born in 1913, had plenty ofmotivation to author 100 Plus. On his 102 birthday he gave aspeech with the opening line, “I can’t wait to see what hap­pens over the next 100­years.”

Living in Silicon Valley, Arrison believes biology will becomean engineering project, extending the lifespan. Working as atech writer and analyst, she says the human genome can bewritten much like computer language, it just needs to be real­ized (A hacking of the biocode rather than computer code).“The Holy Grail will be to see what genome affects what dis­eases.”

“Aging is not written in stone.” 100 Plus gives readers a com­prehensive understanding of how life­extending discoverieswill change our social and economic worlds, helping us navi­gate the journey of life beyond 100 years.

“Technology is enabling us to live longer, the big question iswill we live long enough to see it?” she said, adding, “the realagenda is to push the longevity revolution forward.”

100 Plus: How the Coming Age of Longevity Will ChangeEverything can be purchased through Amazon, $10.78­$14.99in hardcover, or $3.39­$14.90 in paperback.

Generation4Boomers.com / 19

Living to 150, is it Possible?

My Generation

Sonia Arrison

Connie McMullen

All three women were born in the UnitedStates. All three have college degrees. Allthree write mystery novels. All three havereceived awards for their books. All threeset their novels outside the United Statesand fill them with authentic detail and astrong sense of place, dif­ferent cultures. Who arethese women?

Donna Leon is the oldest, bornin 1942 in New Jersey. She isthe most prolific of the three.

There are 27 titles in her ComissarioBrunetti series, set in Venice, Italy,

where Leon has lived for a number of years before a move toSwitzerland.

In the Brunetti novels, he is joined in the series by his wife, auniversity professor, and two children, an egotistical ViceQuestore Patta (his boss), Inspector Vianello, and the lovely,super­efficient secretary­receptionist to Patta, SignorinaElettra. Venice is an important and large part of the series;each book comes with a map.

Besides Brunetti's sleuthing, Leon has produced two nonfic­tion titles and three books thatinclude musical recordings (anotherof her passions). German televisionhas produced 22 Comissario Brunettiprograms (available from Amazon,with subtitles in English). Althoughthe Brunetti books were all writtenoriginally in English, and translatedinto several languages, by an agree­ment required by Leon, the novelscannot be translated into Italian.

Book one, published in 1992 was“Death at LaFenice”. Leon's latest, in2018, is number 27 and titled“The Temptation ofForgiveness.”

Elizabeth George was bornin 1949 in Ohio and has20 Detective Inspector

Lynley books to her credit. Setin Great Britain, often inLondon, DI Lynley is attachedto New Scotland Yard. He oftenworks with the stubborn,scruffy Sgt. Barbara Haverswho resents his noble title ofLord Asherton due to her work­ing­class background. Otherregulars in the series includelong­time friend Simon St. James and the Lady Helen Clyde.

The first book in the series was the award­winning “A GreatDeliverance” in 1988. Public Broadcasting (PBS) has made anInspector Lynley series and changed the DI's hair color from

20 / Generation4Boomers.com

ooks

Donna Leon, author of theComissario Brunetti series.

Elizabeth George, author of theDI Lynley series.

The Temptation ofForgiveness, 2018.

BJanet Ross

Three Mysterious Women

Generation4Boomers.com / 21

blond to black (a bit of a shock forfans of the books). Sgt. Havers faresbetter on the screen in appearanceand character.

George has written four Young Adultbooks, plus a pair of short stories,edited a crime anthology, in additionto those 20 Lynley books. Her mostrecent book, in 2018, is the meaty,692 page “The Punishment SheDeserves”, with a large cast of unusu­al individuals, a murder (ofcourse) and tap dancing lessonsfor Sgt. Havers.

Deborah Crombie is aTexan through andthrough, born in 1952.

She sets her DuncanKincade/Gemma James crimenovels in Great Britain as doesGeorge. There are 17 titles in herseries that features Kincade atScotland Yard and Sgt. James in

the Metro Police. A romance bloomsas the books progress and young chil­dren add to the complications of alaw enforcement household. Eachbook includes a charming, area map.

First in the series is “A Share inDeath” in 1993. Last year (2017)Crombie produced a great series readin “The Garden of Lamentations.” Shehas received awards from Macavityfor best mystery novel and the NewYork Times Book of the Year.

If you're not familiar with these mys­terious women, you'll find their books– in numerous formats, from LargePrint to E­Books – at bookstores, on­line vendors, and the Library.

Do begin with the first book in aseries to follow the continuing devel­opment of these great stories andfascinating characters.

Books / from page 20

Generations

Garden of Lamentations,2017.

A Share in Death, 1993.The Punishment SheDeserves, 2018.

Deborah Crombie.

• Through May 13 ­ Markingthe Infinite: ContemporaryWomen Artists from AboriginalAustralia, Nevada Museum ofArt.

• Through July 8 ­ EnriqueChagoya: Reimagining the NewWorld, Nevada Museum of Art.

• Through July 15 ­ RandolphSims: On the Spur of theMoment, Nevada Museum of Art.

• Through September 2 ­ Hans Meyer­Kassel: Artist of Nevada, NevadaMuseum of Art.

• Through September 30 ­ TrevorPaglen: Orbital Reflector, Maylar bal­loon hanging in the Donald W. ReynoldsGrand Hall, contemporary art.

• Through December 31 ­ Maya Lin: PinRiver­Tahoe Watershed, cartographer,Nevada Museum of Art.

• Through January 6, 2019 ­ History ofTransportation: A Mural Study byHelen Lundeberg, E.L. Wiegand WorkEthic Collection, Nevada Museum of Art.

• Through January 6, 2019 ­ Art of theGreater West, Robert S. and Dorothy J.Keyser, Nevada Museum of Art.

• May 1 ­ Oct. 14 ­ Celebrating Israel’s70th Anniversary: Michael Rovner andTal Shochat, Nevada Museum of Art.

• May 28 ­ Carol Foldvary­Anderson,McKinley Galleries East and West.

• June 9 ­ Sept. 2 ­ Manet to Maya Lin,Nevada Museum of Art.

• July 21 ­ Jan. 6, 2019 ­ The LastingWorld: Simon Dinnerstein and The

22 / Generation4Boomers.com

Generationsarts

Art Exhibit by Carol Foldvary­Anderson,“Landscapes Reminiscent of the

Nevada Desert,” May 24 ­ July 12, McKinley Arts & Cultural Center.

History of Transportation: A Mural Study by Helen Lundeberg.

The Art of the Greater West.

Hans Meyer-Kassel, Untitled, (Nevada), notdated, Oil on board, 48 x 36 inches. Collectionof the Nevada Museum of Art, Promised Giftof Edgar F. and Ella C. Kleiner.

Reno Little Theater (RLT) is the oldest continuously run­ning community theater in Nevada, currently in their83rd season. They offer a well­rounded slate of plays

yearly, typically 6 main stage shows, with several smaller pro­ductions which run for a weekend or so.

“We try to balance offering classics, with newer and edgierworks. Our audience ranges from kiddos to those in their90s,” states Leah Wigren, RLT Chairperson.

Since 1935, RLT has staged over 2,750 performances of morethan 500 shows. “We estimate that more than 6,000 differ­ent people have helped put on the show!”

Interested individuals can get involved at all times of theyear by auditioning to act during casting sessions. By greet­ing theater patrons as ushers and box office personnel, con­cessions, mailing newsletters, working on publicity andfundraising. If working with your hands and helping buildthe scenery, creating costumes and props is your interest,that is an area that Reno Little Theater would be happy tohave you involved in.

Operating the light and sound boards is a need the theaterhas as well. Stage manage or direct a play, or being involvedon the Play Discovery Committee. “This group reads plays,meets once a month like a book club, rates the plays, andsuggests ones to pass on to the Play Selection Committee our

staff runs. RLT believes that It is the family ofvolunteers that keep the organization runningsmoothly and each of the special talents eachperson brings helps to make the theater thatmuch more grand.”

RLT is unique because it has run for the vastmajority of its life solely due to unbelievablyhardworking and inspiring volunteer service.Currently they have 5 paid staff ­only in thelast five years. For decades, RLT was run bydevoted volunteers who acted, directed, heldauditions and cast roles, obtained scriptrights, paid bills, raised funds, ran conces­sions, box office, costuming, props, boardservice etc.

(Reno Little Theater page 24)Generation4Boomers.com / 23

THE ARTS“Support a thriving cultural community! Get involved!”

Reno Little Theater is located at 147 E. Pueblo Stree in Reno.

Reno Little Theater stage.

Carol Foldvary-Anderson“Creating Beauty-Inspiring Joy!”

varyCarol.com

Reno Little Theater

Additionally, RLT is the only communi­ty theater in town that owns its

building.Astute vol­unteersacquired andsold proper­ties over theyears, culmi­nating intheir lovelybuildinglocated onPueblo St.whichdebutedabout sixyears ago.

RLT was located on S. VirginiaSt. years ago, but the City razed the theater for a casino park­ing lot. Hug High School welcomed RLT for several years,while we built the current site. Through it all, not a year wentby that RLT did not put on at least five plays a year.

“We believe RLT has been so successful because of the lovefor theater and community shared by volunteers, staff, andpatrons, and their willingness to work for very little (or no)

money. People can exercisetheir creative streak, or helpsell candy bars, all in serviceof the mission of qualityentertainment for all ages,”said Wigren. “There is realwork to do and eager handsto do it.”Further, much of RLT successis due to Reno’s generosity,

with dona­tions by indi­viduals andother artsorganiza­tions, busi­nesses, and the City.

Reno Little Theater is located at 147 E.Pueblo St. Reno, NV 89502 775­813­8900, or email info@renolittletheater.org. Otheremails are under "Contact Us" section of ourwebsite, renolittletheater.org.

24 / Generation4Boomers.com

A Funny Thing Happened on theWay to the Forum, showdates begin-ning July 6, 7:30 p.m., $25.

The (Curious Case of the) WatsonIntelligence, showdates in Maybeginning May 4, 7:30 p.m., $25.

Reno Little Theater Tech Booth.

Carol Foldvary-Anderson/varyCarolAward Winning. Artist/Designer. Arts Educator .Published Illustrator.Author. Calligrapher.Photographer. Innovatorof the Oil Pastel Smudgetechnique.

http://www.varyCarol.comhttp.www.MakeArtYourBusiness.comart@varycarol.com 775.721.5338

RLT / from p. 23

Some people have brown eyes, somehave blue. Some people in Renoknow all about the new Reno

Renaissance Hotel, some do not. If youare among the latter group, you aremissing something; get thee to the “in”group.

Formerly the Sienna, but no longer rec­ognizable as such, this deluxe, up­scale non­gaming hotelwas stunningly rennovated and officially opened last May asa Mariott Renaissance product, the Reno Ranaissance Hotelat One South Lake Street, just across from the AutoMuseum and in the heart of the trendy new Mid­Townarea.

The only hotel in Reno that is actually on the river, The

Shore Room restaurant allows the (Renaissance page 26)

Generation4Boomers.com / 25

Anne Vargas

Anne Vargas

GOOD TASTE

The Shore Room at the Reno Renaissance.

Let’s Do Lunch......or brunch

...or bar bites ...or dinner ...or Bocce

at the Reno Renaissance

chance to watch the Truckee rushing by just belowfrom a table by the window, making it one of myfavorite places for lunch. Even more delightful iswatching it from the adjacent terrace that juts directlyout over the Truckee, complete with the sound of roar­ing water patio fire for Al Fresco atmosphere andwarmth. And that terrace is the best place in town towatch the Reno Aces fireworks.

Chef Jacob Burton has devised an interesting and eclec­tic menu that offers some unique dishes as well as newtwists on old favorites. The delicious fries that accom­

panied a hamburger on a recent visit are quite understand­ably a “house special”.

Its proximity to the Pioneer Center makes it the perfect placeto stop before or after a performance and their special Pre­Show Menu offers a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessertfor $30. Bottomless Mimosas are available forSaturday/Sunday Brunch; $12 per hour will keep your glassfilled for the duration. Wine Wednesdays offers include nobottle corkage fee if you bring your own wine or 50 percentoff selected wine bottles (changes weekly).

The bar area, also adjacent to the terrace, is one of the mostdelightfully inviting places I have ever seen where “Bar Bites”are offered all day with half price on both food & beverage,

Monday­Friday between 2p.m. – 5 p.m.

The Shore Room is open,serving breakfast or lunchfrom 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinnerfrom 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Formore information, call 775­682­3900

And that’s not all; what wasthe casino area in its formerlife has been reincarnated asextraordinarily poplar BocceCourts that are seeminglycontinuously full, not onlywith hotel guests (they areflourishing in bookinggroups) but with locals aswell.

If you decide to be amongthe “in the know” crowd,you may be in for a pleasantsurprise.

26 / Generation4Boomers.com

My Generation

Chef Jacob Burton’s hamburger and fries, a house special.

Renaissance / from page 25

The Shore Room ­ Patio.

Generation4Boomers.com / 27

TRAVEL

Have you ever thought it wouldbe fun to take a vacation with agroup of close friends, fellow

members of a club or organization, ortake that family vacation to celebrate amilestone anniversary? Cruise lines loveto welcome all types of groups on theirships and they often offer extra benefitsto those creating and booking into agroup.

Group travel is more popular than everas a way to vacation with family orfriends, or any other group travelingtogether, whether large or small. Forfamilies who live far apart it is a greatway to connect with their parents

and/or grandparents. You see themeverywhere. When you are on vaca­tion, they are the fun­loving groupwearing the florescent t­shirts proclaim­ing, “Save Me, I am on a FamilyVacation”. At dinner on the cruise shipthey are seated together and going overthe day’s events. It could also be agroup of friends from high school, col­lege, your local Rotary or golf club, ahobby group, your church, girlfriendgetaways, bachelor parties, the list goeson and on for affinity group travel. Youare traveling with those people whohave similar interests as you.

There are many benefits of booking a

group on a cruise. First is lower pricingand the rates are guaranteed for thecategories that are held (even as therates on the rest of the cabins mayincrease the group rates are locked in).Without booking into a group, the ratesare always subject to change, so AuntMarge might end up paying more thanUncle Bob, and that could cause prob­lems! Setting up a group prevents thatfrom happening. In addition, groupsare often offered extra amenities rang­ing from onboard credits, a complimen­tary bottle of wine or cocktail party,specialty dining or other amenities. Itall depends on the cruise line.

(Travel page 28)

Star Clippers – a private yacht­like experience on tall ships.

A Celebration for Every Occasion – Why Group Travel Works

28 / Generation4Boomers.com

TRAVEL

Probably the biggest benefit to creatinga group is that the person who puts ittogether and invites others is consid­ered the “Tour Conductor” (TC) andmay be able to get a free cabin berth ifenough people join in on their group.The TC credit would be used to pay fortheir berth if the minimum number ofpeople join their group (based on thepolicy of the cruise line chosen). Formost larger cruise lines, it takes 8 cabins(16 people) to earn a TC credit. Withsome cruise lines, it only takes 5 cabins(10 people). I am going to review twocruise lines and their group policies togive you an idea of what it takes to cre­ate a group, which is very little, but thebenefits are great!

AmaWaterways – River Cruising in Europe

River cruising is a great way to seeEurope up close with your boutiquehotel taking you to amazing destina­tions. The ships are intimate with any­where from 100 to 160 passengers.After a group is set up, they receive thefollowing benefits: • $250 reduced cruise fare per person.

• 1 complimentary TC credit for every 9full­fare (double occupancy) payingcruise guests. The TC credit is based onthe average cabin price of the first 9guests – this is unlimited so if you have18 people join you, you get two TCberth credits and so on!

• Some of their itineraries offer solotraveler waivers for your single travelersin your group.

• AmaWaterways always has at leastone included complimentary shoreexcursion at each port and unlimitedcomplimentary wine and beer served atlunch and dinner on ship.

As the river ships are much smaller,space isn’t actually held, but you canbook as many cabins as you wish as longas there is availability on the ship. Forthis type of trip, I recommend setting upyour group more than 1 year inadvance. For example, I have a wineryowner client who created a group fortheir wine club members for July of2019 in Portugal on the Douro river.This way, their club members have theirpick of staterooms. You can take a lookat their routes and itineraries atwww.amawaterways.com

Star Clippers – a private yacht­like experience on tall ships

Star Clippers are intimate sailing shipswith only 170 to 227 guests. Their 3ships offer casual and relaxing itiner­aries built on wind charts for optimalsailing. Their combination of “mustsee” destinations and off­the­beaten­path hidden gems (that only small shipscan get to) offer a truly memorablevacation. They sail in theMediterranean, the Caribbean, Bali,

Indonesia and Thailand. After a group isset up, they receive the following bene­fits:• 1 complimentary TC credit for every 9full­fare, (double occupancy) payingguests. The TC credit is based on themost sold cabin category. Another TCberth is earned at the 20th paid guest.

• Flexible deposits and cancellationschedule.

• Even within groups, depending ongroup size, there may be solo travelerwaivers for the single travelers in yourgroup.

• Group amenities include an onboardcredit offered to those booked in yourgroup.

I wanted to show you Star Clippers sincethey offer a unique vacation option thatis different from the engine poweredcruise lines and their tall sailing shipsare exquisite. You can take a look attheir routes and itineraries atwww.starclippers.com

These are just two examples of the ben­efits of setting up a group on a cruise.Most cruise lines will still allow for theguaranteed pricing and amenities evenif you are not able to meet the mini­mum booking requirement to get the TCcredit. You would still get the locked­inpricing and amenities even with justtwo cabins booked in your group. Thisway, there is no down side for settingup a group ifyou aren’t sureyou how manyfriends or fami­ly can join you.I hope that nowyou are armedwith this infor­mation, youwill considercreating yourown group foran adventure in 2019! Where will yougo next?

Travel / from page 27

AmaWaterways MS AmaVida, a grand 106­passenger vessel, on the Douro River in Portugal.

Vaughn Hollingsworth

Generation4Boomers.com / 29

Mountain bikers are a special breed of crazy, andTahoe South’s legendary trails draw these daredev­ils from far and wide. Some of them even live here

permanently, so your knobby tires will be in good local com­pany.

From the heart­pounding downhill track of the Saxon CreekTrail (nickname: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride) to the gorgeous FlumeTrail there are rides for every technical level. For the trulyambitious, you can link trails and ride seven summits in oneday.

Tahoe South has been designated as a Bike FriendlyCommunity, so bike paths for the social spin are plentiful andso are local bike shops staffed by experts that rent and sellquality bikes. The famed loop around Lake Tahoe is 72 milesof scenery: deep blue water, Douglas Fir groves, and breath­taking views of Emerald Bay. The road also passes quaintwaterfront lodging and plenty of eateries to fuel the journey.

• Flume Trail (East Shore, NV): This trail is approximately 14miles one way, and averages between 7000’ and 8100’ eleva­tion, sitting above Lake Tahoe’s North East shore. A Tahoeclassic, with breathtaking views over Lake Tahoe’s EasternShore, this trail is moderately difficult. See for yourself whythis trail is so frequently photographed for magazines. Thetrail is relatively smooth, and fun for intermediate riders andbeginners who are ready for a strenuous ride. Professionalshuttle services are available, or consider including the TahoeRim Trail to make it a loop ride back to your car. Anotheroption includes starting at Mount Rose Summit at the TahoeMeadows trailhead and riding down to the Flume Trail.

Directions: Spooner Lake State Park is located at the intersec­tion of Highway 50 and Highway 28 on the east shore.

• Mr. Toads Wild Ride/ aka Saxon Creek (South LakeTahoe): An iconic rocky, technical and fun decent, this trailgives advanced riders a satisfyingly long 6 mile downhill.

Biking Tahoe TrailsYOUR LEISURE

Flume Trail

30 / Generation4Boomers.com

Travel / from page 29 YOUR LEISUREPlunging through towering forests and boulders on the uppersections then giving way to fast, banked turns on the lowersections. Bring your longer­travel bike.

By starting at Heavenly’s Stagecoach Lodge off KingsburyGrade and riding the TRT to Star Lake, over Freel Peak andonward to Toads you can make this a longer ride of nearly 30miles, typically called the “Punisher” – or for the superendurance riders start at Mount Rose for the 60+ mile “UberPunisher”.

Directions: Take Pioneer Trail towards Meyers, turn left ontoOneidas Street, after passing a few houses this turns into apaved forest service road called Fountain Place, follow forabout 1/4 mile, there is a large dirt parking lot on your right,this is where the bottom of the trail ends. If you park hereyou can loop it by riding up the paved Forest Service Road toArmstrong trail. The other option is to ride or shuttle up toHighway 89 and meet up with the Big Meadow trail head. Donot try to ride up Mr Toads trail.

The Bench, TRT (Stateline, NV to Spooner Summit): This sec­tion of the Tahoe Rim Trail starts high and takes you abovetree line, with spectacular lake views along the way.

Intermediate and Advanced riders will enjoy how this trail hasjust enough rocks to keep things interesting but very rideable.This ride is typically done as an out and back from eitherSpooner Summit or Kingsbury Grade. There is a big woodenbench with arguably some of the best views of Lake Tahoehalfway between Spooner and Kingsbury, hence the name ofthe trail.

Directions: Take Kingsbury Grade / State Route 207 inStateline, NV towards the top, turn left onto North BenjaminStreet, keep following until the very end where you will see alarge parking area and Tahoe Rim Trail sign and trail head. Orstart from the TRT trailhead on the South side of Highway 50at Spooner Summit.

Powerlines Trail (South Lake Tahoe): Smooth rolling singletrack takes you from town near Heavenly Cal Base, up andalong the forest above the neighborhoods of South LakeTahoe. Very suitable for beginners to intermediates — andeveryone can use it to connect to other trails, such as Corral,Cedar and Cold Creek. Easily accessible from many points intown. West of High Meadow road this turns into a dirt roadthat meets Fountain Place and the Corral area.

Directions: Head to the top of Ski Run Blvd. and take a rightonto Saddle Road, this dead ends after about a block, there islimited on street parking. Another access area is the HighMeadow trail head, turn up High Meadows Road off PioneerTrail and drive on the dirt road until the gate. You will see amap kiosk here.

Chimney Beach Trail (Incline Village, NV): Short but fundescent from the hill above Marlett Lake (South side) near theFlume Trail down to Highway 28 above the ThunderbirdLodge. End with this trail after riding the Flume or TRT, how­ever it’s recommended to arrange a shuttle or leave a car atthe parking lot on Highway 28.

Directions: Bottom of the trail has a paved parking lot on themountain side of Highway 28, near the entrance to theThunderbird Lodge.

Tahoe Meadows, TRT (Incline Village, NV): This is a really funand scenic section of the Rim Trail open to bikes on evennumbered days. You start at over 9,000 feet in elevation anddrop down gradually over about 8 miles until reaching TunnelCreek Road and the intersection of the Rim Trail. From hereyou can either take the Flume or continue on the TRT wherethe ride turns more tricky with some climbing to Snow Peak.This is recommended as a point to point, although it is notunheard of to ride back up to Mount Rose as an out and back.

Directions: TRT trail head is at Mount Rose Summit with alarge paved parking lot and rest room.