Monday, December 31, 2007

High Sierra Kitchen

Blog no. 31 looks back to one of my favorite photographic trips this year. I hiked up to Glen Alpine Springs twice during vacation last August. If I lived in South Lake Tahoe, I'd volunteer just for the opportunity to sweep the flour in this kitchen!

After my son and I hiked up the historic Glen Alpine Resort early during a week-long vacation, I knew that I had to return later in the week. (You can access my original blog here.) My goal for the second hike was to photograph the kitchen and dining room in greater detail.

These photographs were shot through the windows as I couldn't get inside that afternoon. I was able to significantly reduce the glare by placing the camera lens right up against the glass pane. Here's the result:

The Glen Alpine preservation society fires the kitchen each July to prepare a $200 per plate fundraising dinner. Chefs cook "an atmospheric gourmet meal" to 60 guests who're "served on china and linens and the original tables from the 1920s" in the stone dining room.

With the exception of the wood stove (under the hood to the right in the photo), much of the equipment in the kitchen is up-to-date. I haven't been able to locate the menu for the event, but I can imagine a rustic bill of fare with a savory mountain trout with browned butter and capers, pork tenderloin medallions with apples and onions or herb-roasted chicken half.

Here's what the Glen Alpine Resort website says about the dining room: "The tablecloths were white. Flowers were on every table. Napkins were linen. The plates were china. Guests 'dressed' for dinner at Glen Alpine Springs Resort. The Galts offered breakfast and lunch at 75 cents each in 1923."

I'd love to learn more about the origin of the cast iron Dutch oven and skillets. From my vantage through the window, the skillets look to be from a different era. I can't date the Dutch oven. From its shape, it may be a modern Lodge home oven.

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