By Kathryn Reed

Frustration isn’t the emotion one should have while cross country skiing.

But this particular day it was my word of choice – at least initially. So I took the skis off, stuck them in the snow hoping no one would walk off with them, and decided to walk the golf course.

Sue Wood uses the disc golf basket at Bijou to clean her skis. Photos/Kathryn Reed

Sue stayed on her skis, which eventually turned out to be the better choice.

Not too long into my walk and her ski we came across a woman on skis wondering where mine were. I said I took them off because I wasn’t able to glide with all the snow piling up on them and that it was easier to walk. She suggested using cooking spray on the bottom, saying it will seem like the best wax job ever.

I plan to take her advice before I venture out on my skis again.

Plenty of snow on this particular day had me sinking knee deep. Sue glided in the tracks laid by earlier recreationists. At that point I was frustrated again – wishing I had my skis.

Despite my poor judgment in what to have on my feet for the outing, the beauty brought me out of funk.

Like most golf courses, this municipal facility is in a scenic location. And like most golf courses – it’s flat.

That combination makes it a great trek for all ability levels.

It also allows for short or long outings; out and backs; loops; and various entry points.

Trails are all over Bijou Golf Course. This is a perfect trek for people living in the neighborhood. They don’t have to drive anywhere.

And although the park has an area just for dogs, the golf course provides them an even larger playground.

The nine-hole course usually opens in May. The city’s Parks and Recreation website still has the opening day for 2010 listed.

Getting there:

From the Y in South Lake Tahoe, turn right on Al Tahoe Boulevard. Go through the intersection at Johnson Boulevard. Turn left into Bijou Community Park. Go straight and park as far down as you can.

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