#2 on my list... COMPLETE

I have wanted to go backpacking for a long time.  I've been on lots of hikes, but still hadn't done an overnight trip... until this past weekend.  We spent Saturday night and Sunday morning packing our stuff and left the house by 10:00 Sunday morning.  [My "weekend" is Sunday/Monday.]  We stopped for camp stove fuel and lunch.  We got to the parking lot at Carson Pass around 11:30 and it was packed with cars.  I waited for a parking spot while Mike got our permit.  Once we got a spot, it only took a few minutes to put our boots on and grab our packs and we were on the way.

We intentionally chose a short hike since this was my first time carrying more than a day pack on my back.  We did this same hike last year as a day hike so we were familiar with it and it's a mellow trail without too much elevation gain.  We passed lots of people hiking out and 1 group of 4 ladies stopped us to ask where we were camping.  When we told them, they mentioned that they had camped there last night and it was so windy they couldn't sleep.  They warned us that the wind howled ALL night and that the boyscouts camping beside them had to keep fixing their tent because the wind kept blowing it down.  Fan-freakin'-tastic.

The wind was actually a blessing during the hike up because otherwise it would have been pretty hot.  It was only a 3.5 mile hike to the lake but it is a steady uphill climb to 9,400 ft.

Near the start... less than a mile in.  

 We made a short stop at Winnemucca Lake to eat a snack. 

Winnemucca Lake. 

 From Winnemucca Lake, it's only .9 miles to Round Top Lake which is where we were camping for the night.  It's the steepest part of the hike though. 

 When we got to Round Top, we immediately set up our tent in the most sheltered spot we could find.  We found a spot between 2 downed/overlapping trees that was just big enough for Mike's little tent and I prayed it would shelter us from the wind.  

Then, we strung up our hammocks (an unnecessary extra weight that we carried along but once I was lounging by the lake I had no regrets about bringing it), and read books about hiking in the Sierras. 

The view of our campsite from across the lake. 

 We walked further along the trail and saw Kirkwood Ski Resort and Fourth of July Lake... 

The backside of Kirkwood Ski Area. 

Caples Lake. 

Mike overlooking 4th of July Lake... it was REALLY windy. 

Fourth of July lake.

 After walking around a while, we were getting hungry so we headed back, grabbed the water filter and headed to the creek to refill our water.  Once back at our campsite we heated some water to add to our freeze-dried backpacking meal.  Is it weird that I have always wanted to try one of those meals?  You always see them at REI or other outdoorsy/camping places and I always wondered if they were any good?  Now I know... they're ok.  Not amazing, but not horrible.  Totally edible and very filling.  Mike and I sat in the tent to stay sheltered from the wind and passed our little bag of fettucine alfredo back and forth 'til it was gone.  

Waterfall across the lake from our campsite.

After dinner we walked just a few hundred feet away from our campsite to watch the sunset.  We took our dessert with us (freeze dried dark chocolate cheesecake meal-in-a-bag thingy).  

Yummy, yummy cheesecake in a bag?!?!

Mike mentioned that this should count as my #15 thing on my 30x30 list which is: learn how to make a cheesecake.  Unfortunately, I didn't add the water OR stir this magical cheesecake in a bag... so I don't think it counts. 

By the way, the hat, gloves and puffy jacket are totally necessary.  It may be late June but the temperature drops quickly as the sun goes down. 

I was scared I would be really cold during the night (especially after the wind warnings by those kind strangers on the trail), but in Mike's little tent with 2 humans and a dog, it was cozy and actually pretty HOT!  I took sweatpants and a fleece top to sleep in, plus I had my jacket, hat and gloves in case I needed them.  I have a 20 degree sleeping bag and I had a fleece liner just in case!  I ended up sleeping in my tee shirt and underwear with the sleeping bag unzipped!  It was hot.  

When we went to sleep, I set the alarm on my watch for midnight so we could get up and see all the stars.  I can't even describe it.  We saw the Milky Way going directly over our tent.  There were so many stars out it was hard to comprehend it.  And, you could see the silhouette of the mountains around us and the snow was glowing white.  Also worth mentioning... there was hardly any wind!  Just a perfect cool breeze, but definitely not the gale force winds we were warned of. 

In the morning... I woke up around 6:00 and finally crawled out of the tent around 6:30... and this was my view when I opened the tent:

I could get used to this view. 

We took our time getting going.  I read my book in the hammock while Mike went for a skinny dip in the freezing cold lake... did I mention we were the ONLY people out there?

We fixed really crappy instant coffee and really yummy oatmeal for breakfast. 

And after breakfast, we packed up and headed out.  We were hiking down trail by 9:00ish. 

Beautiful wildflowers everywhere. 

We were back at the car by 10:45 and already starving (the oatmeal was yummy but not very long-lasting).  On our way home, we stopped for hotdogs at a food cart and they were amazing!

It was such a wonderful 1st night of backpacking and I definitely can see how people want to do these long thru-hikes... like the Pacific Crest Trail or the Appalachain Trail... although, I'm not quite ready for more than 1 or 2 nights myself.  There is seriously something awesome about the sound your boots make when they are crunching against the gravel of the trail.  It's therapeutic.  This may have been my first overnight hike, but it will NOT be my last.  

Father's Day and Meek's Bay Hike

Mike's dad and his wife, Kim came in town on Father's Day.  It had been a year and a half since we had seen them so it was great to spend some time with them.  We ate LOTS of good food and saw lots of the beautiful sights with them.  I didn't take a lot of pictures while they were here but I did snap a quick picture of the beautiful sunset from "Top of the World," (a fire road near our house that leads up to a lookout point overlooking the lake).

I love that view!  It never gets old.  

Anyway, today Mike and I went for a hike with the dog.  We started at the Meek's Bay Trailhead on the West shore of Lake Tahoe.  We hiked 13 miles round trip and saw 6 lakes (including Tahoe).  We followed the Tahoe Yosemite trail which is pretty mellow... no steep sections... just a steady and gradual climb.  

The wildflowers were beautiful. 

The BIG California redwood trees along the hike were pretty cool too... 

The trail follows a creek that is fed from the lakes above.  So, there was the lovely sound of running water for a lot of the hike.   

First, we came to Lake Genevieve.  

 Then we came to Crag Lake... 

We also saw Hidden Lake... but I didn't take a picture.  

Next on the trail was Shadow Lake...

Then we came to Stony Ridge Lake...

(where Mike jumped in for a quick and COLD swim)

The last 2 lakes were swarming with mosquitoes.  It was awful.  Luckily we were headed back down the mountain which was obviously less strenuous, so we put our long sleeves shirts and pants back on to avoid getting eaten alive.   

The hike back down to the car offered views of Lake Tahoe...

It was great spending time with Mike and his family and SO GREAT to take Zater on a 13 mile hike!  He absolutely loved it.  We wouldn't have taken him on such a long hike just a few weeks ago, but we started him on some joint medication to help prevent him from getting so stiff and sore.  He acted like a puppy.  In the last few miles of the hike he was chasing chipmunks all through the woods.  We will definitely keep him on this medication so he can keep going on adventures with us.  

And a belated post about Father's Day:

Thanks to both of our dad's for being such amazing role models in our lives.  Thanks for supporting us in all we do!  We love you both!  

Getting a start on that bucket list...

This weekend's shenanigans included LOTS of paddleboarding.  On Sunday we met some friends at the beach with their daughter and 2 of her friends.  They wanted to try some paddleboarding so we took the boards out and took turns playing around.  It was pretty windy and the water was choppy but we had fun.  This friend of mine is a yoga instructor... who better to practice a head stand with??? Well, we attempted to do head stands on the paddle board (and we failed miserably).

Speaking of head stands, it's #23 on my bucket list.  I've been trying every day and I've gotten pretty good (on land) at kicking up to a head stand without needing the wall... although I've always been near a wall in case I kick too hard and go completely over.  So this morning, we met some friends for an early morning paddle and Lake Tahoe was glassy and calm.  Long story short... this happened...

Failed attempt #1 

Failed attempt #2 

Failed attempt #3 

SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!!!

After that little public display... we headed out.  Our friend Ann is 6 months pregnant and awesome at paddle boarding. 

The scenery was beautiful as always.  

You can still see the snow cross on Tallac and a hot air balloon!  

The weather was so beautiful and warm... and the lake was so calm... I got brave and attempted the head stand again...

this time on the board...

Here goes nothin'

YES!!!!!!  And I didn't even get wet this time!  

 I didn't hold it very long but IT COUNTS!!!  Thanks to my dear husband for being my photographer! 

Ok Mike, it's your turn...

He actually did pretty good considering he's never done one. 

We decided to make the most of a day with no wind so, we loaded up the boards and drove to the east shore.  The Nevada side of the lake is arguably my favorite side of the lake.  

The water felt a lot colder than the shallow water of South Lake.  But the color... oh. my. gosh.  There are no words to describe it.  

We packed a lunch... paddled to a beach... ate... swam (aka 1 quick dunk under the water for me)... floated on the water and ate cold watermelon... picked out houses and boats we would LOVE to own... and then paddled back.  

It was peaceful and calm.  Exactly the way I like it.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to like having 2 days off during the week.  Less crowds to deal with. 

It was an awesome weekend and I got to cross off one of the items on my bucket list.  A few of the other bucket list items are in progress.  I will try to take pictures as I complete all of them so stay tuned.

30 by 30

It's my birthday month!  This year I will be 29 years old.  In thinking about my upcoming birthday, I have been thinking a lot about my life and where I am at this point.  Lots of people make lists of the 30 things they want to do before turning 30 years old.  Well, here's mine:

1. READ THE BIBLE COVER TO COVER

I started this over a year ago... I'm in Luke now... 

2. GO ON A BACKPACKING CAMPING TRIP. 

Something short. Probably just 1 night.  

3. REFURBISH ALL THE BEDROOM FURNITURE. 

This is already in progress, but it's slow going. 

4. GO TO SEATTLE. 

Just because. 

5. VISIT PORTLAND OREGON. 

Same reason as #4. 

6. RUN A HALF MARATHON.

I am crazy... but only half crazy!

7. COMPLETE A(NOTHER) WHEELS FOR THE WORLD TRIP.

Leaving Oct 31st for Lima, Peru!

8. DO A PADDLEBOARD YOGA CLASS.

Not just playing around on the board... like I wanna attend a REAL class. 

9. WATCH THE SUNRISE FROM EMERALD BAY.

The mouth of the bay faces East. 

10. LEARN TO MEDITATE.

Effectively. 

11. GO ZIPLINING.

Technically I've been before, but only down 1 zipline.  I wanna do more!

12. SUMMIT FREEL PEAK. 

The highest peak in the Lake Tahoe Basin. 

13. RIDE ON A SNOWMOBILE.

Driving it would be even better!

14. GET A HOT STONE MASSAGE.

Maybe more than once. 

15. LEARN HOW TO BAKE A CHEESECAKE.

Because Mike loves them.  Who am I kidding... I love them too! 

16. HIKE TO ALOHA LAKE. 

Hundreds of rock islands... yes please! 

17. TRY PADDLEBOARD SURFING. 

We've only had 1 opportunity so far and it was a REALLY rough day.  

18. RIDE IN A CABLE CAR IN SAN FRANCISCO. 

It's ridiculous that I haven't done this yet. 

19. OPEN A RETIREMENT ACCOUNT. 

So responsible of me. 

20. LOOK UP MY FAMILY ANCESTRY.

I should know where I come from, right?

21. PADDLE LAKE TAHOE UNDER A FULL MOON.

I've heard you can see everything under the water. 

22. RENT A BOAT AND CRUISE AROUND THE LAKE. 

"The Lake" being Lake Tahoe of course.  I wanna see every little cove. 

23. LEARN TO DO A YOGA INVERSION.

Consistently... and without needing my feet up against a wall. 

24. JUMP OFF A CLIFF INTO WATER.

Angora Lakes anyone???

25. PAY FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S MEAL. 

Anonymously. 

26. ATTEND A CHURCH REGULARLY. 

Just looking for the right one. 

27. THROW A PARTY FOR A FRIEND.

Baby shower planned for 7/10/14. 

28. FIND AT LEAST 1 HAPPINESS IN EVERY DAY x 365 DAYS!

This might be harder than I think, but I'm going to buy a calendar and every night before bed I am going to write down one thing that made me happy that day (even if it's a simple as a cup of coffee).  Since I have just over 1 year until my 30th and I REALLY wanna cross everything off my list, this starts TODAY! 

So... I have a paper with all this written down.  It also includes a #29 and #30 but I'm not quite ready to share those two bucket list items.  

I know what a lot of you might be thinking... 

maybe #29 is move back to North Carolina and #30 is have a baby!?!?!  

I'm sure that would make both of our parents very happy but, that's not what they are.  

They are just personal goals of mine that I'm not ready to share just yet.  But, when I check them off my list, I will let you know what they were and that I have ACCOMPLISHED them!  

Ok, so there you have it.  That's my list to complete over the next year.  There's a LOT of stuff on that list that makes me nervous but this blog is all about being outside of my "comfort zone," right? 

I will keep you all informed as I check off items on my list (especially those secretive #'s 29 and 30)!  The best part of this entire thing, was that it made me realize all the things I've already done.  I went to the internet for inspiration because coming up with 30 realistic things to do in 1 year is actually a little tough.  In reading other people's lists, I realized how blessed my life has been in 28 short years.  I also realized a lot of my priorities (fitness... travel... spiritual health... etc).  I have a better understanding of who I am and that's exactly how I want to feel leaving my 20's and entering my 30's.  This upcoming last year in my 20's is sure to be a memorable one!