If one thinks that a Lake Tahoe vacation is simply just a respite from the hustle and bustle of a busy metropolitan life, there’s in fact more to discover in a Lake Tahoe vacation. Aside from the fact that Lake Tahoe is a popular destination, getting to know the origins of Lake Tahoe can be as challenging as an extreme sporting adventure.

For starters, the Lake Tahoe Basin took form as a geologic block fault about 2 million years ago. A geologic block fault is a fracture in the earth’s crust causing blocks of land to move up or down, which is a primary cause of earthquakes. It is this fault movement where uplifted blocks created the Carson Range on the east and the Sierra Nevada mountains on the west, while the down-dropped blocks, also called a graben, created the shear between the Sierra Nevada Microplate and North America.

On the other hand, the Lake Tahoe basin is formed by a series of large down-to-the-east normal faults, including the West Tahoe and Dollar Point fault, the Stateline and North Tahoe fault and the Incline Village fault. Most of the highest peaks that can be found of the Lake Tahoe Basin that formed during the creation of process of Lake Tahoe creation are Freel Peak at 10,891 ft, Monument Peak at 10,067 ft, Pyramid Peak at 9,983 ft in the Desolation Wilderness and Mount Tallac at 9,735 ft.

As the geologic formations began to take shape, eruptions from the now-extinct volcano Mount Pluto formed a dam on the north side, as melting snow filled the southern and lowest part of the basin to form the ancestral Lake Tahoe as rain and runoff added more  water to the lake.

Lake Tahoe was shaped and landscaped by scouring glaciers during the Ice Ages, which began a million or more years ago and is fed from 63 tributaries with the Truckee River as the main and only outlet. The Truckee flows northeast through Reno, Nevada and into Pyramid Lake, which has no outlet. The soil found on the basin come primarily from andesitic volcanic rocks and granodiorite, with minor areas of metamorphic rock.

Some of the valley bottoms and lower hill slopes are covered with glacial moraines, or glacial outwash material derived from the parent rock. With the great depth of Lake Tahoe, as well as the locations of the normal faults within the deepest portions of the lake, suggests that earthquakes on these faults can trigger tsunamis with wave heights predicted to be around 10 to 33 ft in height, capable of traversing the entire lake in just a few minutes.

This may be evident with the massive collapse of the western edge of the basin that formed McKinney Bay around 50,000 years ago which was thought to have generated a tsunami wave with an estimated height of no less than 330 ft.

Although Lake Tahoe is a natural lake and with most areas consider protected, it is also used for water storage by the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, for which the lake level is controlled by a dam at the Truckee River- the lake’s only outlet- at Tahoe City. The 6 foot high dam can increase the lake’s capacity by 732,000 acre/ft.

So if you think that lake Tahoe is just a vacation spot, think again, there’s more to discover in a Lake Tahoe vacation.

A lot of people come to Lake Tahoe during the winter because it is considered to be a skiing paradise. But during the summer, there are also activities you can enjoy which means you can consider spending a Lake Tahoe vacation when school is over.

One adventure you can try out is horse back riding. There are ranches within the area so you can visit one and borrow a horse from the stable. Once you are on the saddle, you can gallop along the trail and see the lake as well as the snow capped mountains. There are also trails for those who want to ride a bike or take a hike. Some are long while others are short so you can choose between those that are 2 miles long or longer. This is part of the 150 mile Tahoe Rim Trail that encircles the lake.

When you see Lake Tahoe, you will feel the blue water inviting you to go for a swim. If you go a few yards out, you will even see fish and a few other objects 70 feet below by using a snorkel and pair of goggles. Once you get out of the water, you can lie down in the sand and get a tan.

If you want to work up an appetite, you can do some kayaking or parasailing that you can rent from nearby stores.

One of the key attractions in Lake Tahoe is the cruise. There are two vessels to choose from namely the M.S. Dixie II and the Tahoe Queen. Both of these go on a 2 hour scenic cruise daily with a dinner cruise offered once a week.

While in town, you might as well do some sightseeing. Given its strategic location between California and Nevada, you can try your luck at the nearby casinos, shop for souvenirs at the local gift shop and visit the Ponderosa Ranch which is a theme park inspired by Bonanza, a television show which was quite a hit in the 1950’s and 1960’s.

Another attraction in Lake Tahoe is Vikingsholm castle. It is a 38 room estate that resembles an actual 1,200 year old Viking castle.

You shouldn’t miss the sunset in Lake Tahoe and the best place to get the view is to up the mountain. There are trams or cable cars and gondolas which can take you all the way up. There are shops, sports facilities and restaurants so there are other things you can do instead of just walking through the woods.

If you want to see the Lake Tahoe and the surrounding area much better, there is no other way but to get a good view by air. There is a hot air balloon tour and a helicopter ride. These tours are only open subject to the weather conditions so if it is too windy, you will have to reschedule your little trip.

A vacation in Lake Tahoe is just the thing you need if you want to spend time with nature. There are properties you can rent along the lake as well as those secluded in the forests which is far different than staying in a hotel. So the next time you are planning a family adventure, consider a Lake Tahoe vacation.

Lake Tahoe has a lot to offer to tourists. You have to remember that the winter Olympics was once done here and this was the setting of some television shows and movies. Given its ideal location, you can enjoy a Lake Tahoe vacation regardless of when you decide to come here.

Since it is already December, one thing that a lot of people will be doing is skiing. Right now, there are over a dozen ski resorts in Lake Tahoe. A majority if these just opened in the last week of November and these will open until April or May of next year. You can learn how to ski and go down the slopes if you are an experienced skier. Another option is to replace those skis with a snowboard or tube which could be just as fun when you are in the snow.

If you decide to come here next summer, most resorts there have equipment you can borrow. These include a water ski, parasail, kayak and sail boat. You can also do some snorkeling since there are beaches nearby and a cruise that offers dinner once a week.

For those who want take a tour by air, you can enjoy a helicopter tour or a hot air balloon ride. Such trips can only get off the ground assuming that there is good weather otherwise the trip will have to be rescheduled. The helicopter tour to and from the airport will be an hour. The hot air balloon ride lasts about 4 hours.

There are also guided tours provided on land. You can go with a guide as you go hiking along a trail or ride a carriage that is pulled by a beautiful 2,000 pound Blond Belgium horse. As you are riding, the tour guide will give you a brief lesson in Tahoe history. Sadly this tour is not available right now since it only operates from May to October.

Although you won’t be able to see that much if you are cruising, you will be surrounded by the breathtaking view of the mountains and trees. You will get to see Emerald Bay, the Fannette Island, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Vikingsholm Castle which the M.S. Dixie II and the Tahoe Queen offers when you take a 2 hour sightseeing cruise.

Throughout the year, various races, competitions, dances and events are done. Already planned for next is the NBC Sports 2009 American Century Celebrity Golf Championship. Although the date has not yet been formalized yet but it could fall in July, you can expect big names like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, the NFL’s Ben Roethlisberger, Billy Joe Tolliver, Jerry Rice and Tony Romo, NHL great Jeremy Roenick, and from Hollywood, John O’Hurley, Kevin Nealon and Ray Romano are expected to attend.

So you don’t miss out in any of the festivities, do some research online and try to include this as part of your itinerary when you decide to have a Lake Tahoe vacation. You may not always participate in it but at least you can actually watch it.

Reservations for your Lake Tahoe vacation can be done through your travel agent or by yourself. It is going to be fun and exciting so make the most of it when you decide to come to town!