That’s how they describe Lake Tahoe. Everytime I drive over the 7,377 ft Echo Summit on Hwy50 and catch the first glimpse of Lake Tahoe I imagine how the first non-indigenous explorer to see Lake Tahoe (Lt. John C. Frémont in 1844) must have felt to find such a stunningly beautiful expanse of fresh water (the largest alpine lake in N. America and the second deepest at 1645ft) after having crossed the dry expanse of the Nevada desert.

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Arguably the Nevada shoreline up around Sand Harbor is the best area for kayaking but I had to ‘make do’ with the South Shore.

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The say Emerald Bay is one of the most photographed locations in the world and I did my best to keep up that reputation as I paddled over from Regan Beach into the horseshoe bay and around Fannette Island.

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Even though I was on the water at 7am I had to fight a few gusts on the way into the bay and I was happy to use the skeg on the Capella 163 on the return leg as an increasing wind blew up from the south.

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I had to feel sorry for a couple who were having to fight to make headway against the breeze on their fat sit-on-tops whilst my Capella cut almost effortlessly through the small chop. By playing with the skeg until I got it balanced just right, I found the Capella to track without any need for correction strokes or edging – quite remarkable for such a short and manouverable kayak.

The three hour paddle ended all too soon but at least I then got to see the lake from above as well as I took my daughter for a short hike.

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One day I will make a full circuit by kayak of the 72mile shoreline of Lake Tahoe. Until then I will continue to explore this jewell bit by bit.