Twain at Tahoe

In a day and age when Nevadans are dealing with crooked politicians and forest fires, Incline Village’s McAvoy Layne reminds residents of a simpler time during the days of Mark Twain. It was a time when Nevada residents were dealing with ... crooked politicians and forest fires.

Sitting in on one of Layne’s Monday night “Twain at Tahoe” performances reminds a guest about the similarities between Twain’s time of more than a century ago to the modern day.

With an old Southwestern drawl, Layne conveys the stories of Twain’s life, from starting a forest fire “the first prescribed burn in the Tahoe Basin,” to the great American author’s take on the Nevada state legislature: “When the Nevada legislature is in session, nobody is safe.”

All are a part of a program offered weekly by Layne for guests to enjoy a packed dinner while listening to Twain.

From Twain’s dream of becoming a steamboat captain as a young boy in Hannibal, Mo., to its fulfillment at the age of 23 and his life as a traveling journalist, Layne covers many facets of Twain’s life in a humorous manner.

One of the more humorous aspects in Layne’s performance is a description of Twain’s involvement in the Civil War, when he “seceded from the secession.”

As Layne relays it, Twain was navigating the Mississippi River when South Carolina seceded from the Union in 1860. He formed up with a group of young men, of which he was appointed the second lieutenant.

“There was no first lieutenant,” Layne said.

So, the group of soldiers, intent on joining the Confederacy, prepared to face Union troops in Missouri. Once they saw the opposing force’s numbers, though, Twain changed his mind. So they started to retreat. For two straight weeks.

“We retreated until we were incapacitated from retreat,” Layne said.

The group of soldiers disbanded and Twain was on his way to Nevada, where a brother served as an assistant to the territory’s governor.

On the Overland Trail, Twain encountered the Great Plains, Salt Lake City’s Mormons and, eventually, Carson City. There he found the Carson River, a poor excuse for a river compared to his native Mississippi.

“Carson City was the most uninhabitable place on earth,” Layne said. “And, the Carson River is a moist ditch. If it were my river I wouldn’t leave it out at night for fear it would be lost.”

Nevada is also where Twain encountered Tahoe, which Layne says is “the fairest picture in the world.”

Twain came upon the lake after a long hike west from Carson City, stopping first at the area of present-day Sand Harbor State Park. From there, he and a friend rowed about three miles north along the shore to make camp.

Twain was out to seek his fortune as a logger, sending timber toward the growing cities outside of the basin. But, Layne said, a campfire got out of hand and burned down an entire hillside.

“I’d like to take credit for the very first prescribed burn in the Lake Tahoe Basin,” Layne said of the accidental fire, cigar in hand.

He espoused Twain’s love for Tahoe, the healthy atmosphere and lifestyle that came with mountain living in the 19th century.

From there he embarked on a career as a journalist, both in Northern Nevada and Sacramento, Calif. Twain traveled the world and eventually took a wife, Olivia.

At the end of the evening, Layne takes questions as Twain from the audience of about 35 people. Some focused on the writing of “Huckleberry Finn,” others on the fact Twain was born and died in the same years as Halley’s comet passed over the Earth, 1835 and 1910.

One woman asked Layne if Twain had a special lady in his life.

Layne quoted Twain, saying the 34 years of his life spent with wife Olivia were the best of his life. While he explained Twain’s love for Olivia, Layne glanced to the back of the room where wife Rebecca Layne looked on.

“Wheresoever she was, there was Eden,” Layne said.

At the end of the performance Layne admitted Twain’s words about Olivia mirrored his feelings for his own wife.

In all, a night with Twain is one to remember. There are laughs, sighs and pearls of wisdom which still hold true nearly a century after the author left this world as he came in, on the eve of Halley’s comet passing over the Earth.

Twain at Tahoe will be presented Mondays at 230 Village Blvd. through Sept. 26. Tickets for Twain at Tahoe are $20 and reservations are strongly recommended. Call (775) 833-1835 for information or to reserve your seats.