Independence

I enjoyed a nice long weekend due to the July 4th holiday.  Mike and I started the weekend with a hike to the top of Freel Peak.  Another item on the bucket list... COMPLETE!

JULY 3rd: 

Freel is the highest peak in the Lake Tahoe basin at 10,881 ft.  That's definitely the highest peak either of us has climbed so far.   It was only a 10 mile hike round trip BUT you gain 2,600 ft of elevation from the start to the peak.  Another thing that makes it a challenging hike is that the steepest part of the trail is mostly small gravel and sand which is really hard to climb in.  Each step in that soft dirt is like taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back.  The very top of the peak is mostly large rocks and each step has to be carefully placed because you can't tell which rocks are unstable.  

Mike and I were practically the only people on the trail.  During our entire hike we passed ~6 people.  That's exactly what we wanted considering South Lake was FULL of tourists.  The trail was quiet... except for the 2 rock slides that we heard (but never saw) that rumbled through the mountains.  The first rock slide stopped us in our tracks.  You could hear the boulders falling, but ironically we never saw them.  It. was. creepy.  The second rock slide happened while we were standing at the peak and I was videotaping the 360 degree view.  Unfortunately, you can't hear the rumble of the rocks in the video.  

The only sign around marking the way toward the Tahoe Rim Trail...
wasn't sure we could trust it, but it got us where we needed to go!  

Beautiful and twisty Sequoias. 

Freel Peak is the peak in the far left of the picture.  

It was pretty steep... and sandy. 

But the views were worth it! 

On top of the HIGHEST peak in the basin! And it was just us!  

Lake Tahoe on the right... Fallen Leaf Lake to the left. 

An amazing view of Lake Tahoe, the ridgeline, and Carson Valley on the right side of the picture.  Lake level is 6200' and the valley is just over 4,000'.  

Job's Sister and Job's Peak. 

Officially marked off the bucket list!

Did I mention it was dusty?  My legs were black with dirt!

Well worn boots. 

We were all alone except for this brave little guy...

... he did not seem to be afraid of people. 

The peaks by Round Top Lake (where we camped a few weekends ago)
as seen from the top of Freel Peak! 

The hike down was... interesting.  We ended up taking a "short cut" off the trail (not 100% intentionally, but when we realized that we were off the main trail, we were far enough down the mountain that we weren't turning around).  It was dusty, rocky, steep, and at times we felt like Bear Grylls sliding and jumping down the mountain.  

After the hike, we went straight to In-And-Out Burger.  For those who have never visited the west coast... these are cheap but DELICIOUS burgers and fries.  It's great (but not healthy) post activity nourishment.    

JULY 4th:

Mike has had to work at Kirkwood Ski Resort (working the lift for the bike park) Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so I was on my own for the holiday.  I was determined NOT to go down into South Lake with the MILLIONS (literally) of tourists.  

So, I did some chores around the house and was lying poolside by 10:00 am.  Once the pool got crowded, I took Zater for a hike on the Tahoe Rim Trail.  The trails were quiet again and it was lovely (but very hot).  We hiked to a vista to view the lake, then I hung up the hammock between 2 shady trees and read a book in complete solitude.  Once Mike got home, we grilled turkey burgers and corn on the cob before driving up to "Top of the World" to view the fireworks.  It's the first time I've watched fireworks from ABOVE the fireworks!  It was a perfect spot.

The view from the vista! 

Not a bad place to read a book...
you can't tell in the picture but I could see the lake from this spot! 

 

Can I get a lift to the top??? 

Z checking out the wildflowers. 

A wild orchid???  Seriously!?!

Top of the World.  Sometimes I can't believe I live here. 

Moon over Tahoe

LOTS of boats on the lake. 

There were heart shaped fireworks...

... and smiley face fireworks...

... and a killer grand finale!
Such an awesome fireworks show! 

I am so grateful for my freedom.  Freedom to travel outside of this country and come back!  Freedom to do whatever I want!  I've been minimally exposed to other cultures and even though we complain about the state of our country, we are truly blessed to have so much freedom.  Thanks to all who have served to allow us to have such freedom without sacrifice on our part. 

JULY 5th:

We both worked... LAME!

The rest of the weekend was spent cleaning the house and getting things ready for a baby shower that I'm hosting soon.   Well, that's the latest news from our lives out west!