July 22, 2013 | Tim Hauserman

For many of us, summer means more hours to ride up Blackwood Canyon, or the flutter of aspen leaves as we roll through Page Meadows. It’s a time to put in some glorious miles of hiking through Desolation Wilderness, or embark on an early morning paddle below the soaring osprey at DL Bliss. But for those in the know, summer is also the time to take advantage of some wonderful Tahoe traditions: Shakespeare at Lake Tahoe and the Concours d’Elegance

Bard Time
At Sand Harbor, it’s hard to decide which is more beautiful: the crystal white sand, humongous granite boulders, or the meeting of the emerald green and deep blue waters of the lake. Sand Harbor can be quite a challenge to find a parking space during the day, but after five, you can park for free, and watch Shakespeare as the soft light of twilight transitions to a dark sky full of stars. This summer, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is being presented between July 12th and August 25th as part of the 41st year of Shakespeare at Lake Tahoe. Even if the entire extent of your Shakespeare knowledge is recognizing the phrase “to be or not to be,” Midsummer is considered Shakespeare’s finest comedy, and I found the performance to be full of whimsy, and at times hilarity. Don’t miss it, and be sure to stay until the end, because you will be laughing the last thirty minutes. www.laketahoeshakespeare.com

Wooden Boats
Watching a wooden boat slice through the waters of Tahoe’s west shore on a fine summer evening is one of the rare and great pleasures of time spent at Tahoe. If you believe seeing an occasional piece of mahogany magnificence roll by the Sunnyside deck while you sip a glass of wine is a pleasure, you need to head on over to the Sierra Boat Company in Carnelian Bay for the Concours d’Elegance on August 9th and 10th. Considered one of the best classic boat shows in North America, at the Concours you will find nearly 100 wooden beauties on display. Stroll around and marvel at their splendor in the harbor, and then on the 10th, be sure to be there at 4 pm to watch a whole passel of wood boats leave the marina together in the great Roar Off. www.laketahoeconcours.com