I love Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite places.  It's the place in California that makes me feel like I'm back home in some of the ways that I miss.  I absolutely love all the weekends I get to spend there with my Tall Dark and Nerdy, like this one in June. 

We get out of the car when we first arrive on Friday night and I spend my first several minutes in Tahoe just staring at the stars.  I spent countless nights growing up lying in a pasture or yard and staring at the stars, so it's nice to get that feeling again.

 

 I also love being near water.  I think I can blame that on my time rowing for Stanford, and on my water-loving roomie Mik.  Lakes don't get much prettier than Tahoe.  This trip was my first time being in Tahoe in the actual summertime, and it did not disappoint!  The water was cold, but it was beautiful, with three distinct colors of blue in layers.








Something about Tahoe makes me want to be adventurous.  I get there and I want to snowboard, hike, kayak, paddleboard, and do anything else I can try!

TDN also planned for us to watch the sunset at Emerald Bay, which has special sentimental value for me.  I saw a photograph of Emerald Bay last year over graduation weekend when TDN, Grams, baby sister, Papa Rist, and I were looking through a gallery.  I looked at TDN and said I wanted to go there - and had no idea where it was!  Over my birthday weekend (3 months later), he planned for us to spend an afternoon at Emerald Bay, and when I looked confused about what that was, he reminded me of the photograph.  He is so thoughtful.  That makes every visit to Emerald Bay special to me.

Any day that ends in s'mores is a great day for me, and this was no exception!

Baby sister can shred!

When I asked my sister what the one thing she really really really wanted to do during her visit was, she responded, without hesitation, "learn to snowboard."  So I set out to make that happen!

We headed up to Tahoe straight from the airport, pushed my tiny car into the garage since it couldn't bust through the snow in our parking area, and even learned how to use chains for the drive home, but she learned how to snowboard!  And, I dare say, she got hooked even quicker than I did last year! 

We also got to just spend some time relaxing together in the cabin, with the beautiful view of the national forest right outside the window, thanks to my Tall Dark and Nerdy for letting us use the cabin :) .

She ended up with a private lesson (slow day) at Heavenly, where I learned to ride less than a year ago.  All the lifties loved her, and her instructor thought she was pretty hardcore and kept bouncing back up after big falls.  I just wish she had been able to have another couple days on the mountain to really start turning and shredding up the mountain, but I guess that's what next year is for!

Heaven(ly)

Many of my favorite weekend memories during the winter come from Tahoe.

I am lucky enough to head to South Lake Tahoe quite frequently to enjoy the sun, snow, and some great friends.  

I learned how to snowboard at Heavenly last season - thanks to the prodding of TDN - and am starting to get the hang of it, despite an injury.  Regardless of my [lack of] skill level, it has given me a whole new way to play in the snow!

Disclaimer:  I always wear a helmet while snowboarding, and recommend it to everyone!