Flip-Floppy February

Mother Nature does what she wants.  February in Tahoe can now be called Februne!  No?  How about Febuly?  Febgust?  Febtember? Our weather has been crazy.  Some days we've actually worn flip flops because it's been SO warm and beautiful!  Flip flops... in February... in Tahoe.  That should not be happening.  

Of course the weather has flip flopped a bit too.  As I write this, it's starting to snow.  I say snow, but really it's just barely spitting the worlds tiniest flakes (which by Tahoe standards lately is practically a blizzard).  

Speaking of crazy weather, allow me to take us back a few weeks to one of the craziest wind storms I've ever seen in my life.  Actually, let me back up a bit further.  A little over a month ago we had a horrible wind storm.  I was working which means that I was out driving in it (gotta get from one school to the next).  My poor little car got completely sandblasted.  It was unavoidable.  I ended up having my windshield replaced.  

Now, fast forward a few weeks to a Friday afternoon.  We got another crazy windstorm, but this one was even worse than the last.  Gusts to 100 mph.  Crazy, crazy weather.  I had been working down at one of my lake level schools, and then I had to drive up and over the pass to get down to one of my valley schools that afternoon.  I stopped at home for a quick lunch and truly debated on just staying home (I didn't want to risk damaging my new sparkly windshield).  But, being the dedicated employee that I am, I drove down the mountain.  What. A. MISTAKE! 

The curvy mountain grade becomes a wind tunnel.  I drove less than 20 mph and I got absolutely sandblasted (stupid desert).  My windshield instantly was ruined.  I finally made it to the bottom of the grade but things only got worse from there.  Visibility was low.  It's so flippin' dusty here!  

LOTS OF CLOSED ROADS DUE TO DOWNED POWERLINES
OR FALLEN TREES! 

 I FINALLY made it the parking lot of my last school.  I only had 1 kid to treat.  As I put my car in park, I got a text on my phone.  It was from the kid's father and he said he was picking him up early because he didn't feel well....so "NO PT TODAY."  As I'm reading this text, my car is literally rocking back and forth in the wind.  All I could think was, "I knew I should've stayed home after lunch."  I had planned on doing paperwork for the rest of the day (which I could easily do from home) so I turned around and began the 20 mph trek back up the mountain.... screaming out loud every time my car got sandblasted.  

Overall, I should be very grateful that I stayed safe and only had a little damage to my windshield.  A lot of other people weren't so lucky.  Lots of people had damage to their homes or barns.  Our neighbors had a tree fall on their roof.  I'm very thankful that things weren't any worse.  

So, all this crazy windy weather blew in some moisture (yay!!!!).  But, it fell mostly as rain.  We did get a lot, which helps with the crazy drought we're in BUT, we really need snow.  We need snow for the water, and for the tourism.  We NEED a miracle March!  

It could happen.  Back in 1991 the term "miracle March" began when Tahoe was in a severe drought and then this happened.... 

It could happen again.  Right??? 

Anyway, the ski resorts have been able to hold onto a little bit of snow, but even Heavenly isn't 100% open (and very likely won't be at all this year).  Mike and I did manage to get out for a morning skin on Valentine's Day.  It was lovely.  

THE SUNRISE FROM OUR DECK. 

We just did one hike to the top and then skied back down.  It was a great workout with beautiful views. 

The next day Mike went backcountry skiing with a friend and I went mountain biking with the dog.  You can see Mike's pictures on facebook and well, I didn't take any of my mountain biking adventure.  

Monday was President's Day and I was off work.  It was sunny and warm and the lake was calm = paddle boarding!  We paddled around Zephyr Cove with a friend and took a nap on the beach!  It was perfect!  

The past week has been so sunny and warm.  Which I love... but I kinda miss winter. 

 

Anyway, since it's never going to snow in Tahoe again, I invested in a new mountain bike and yesterday we went to Auburn to ride.  Since we rode the same trail last year and I took pics which you can see here, I didn't take many pictures this year... I just focused on riding my new bike. 

There were a few differences between last year and this year... 

Last year I stopped about 1,000 times (more or less) during the climb... this year I climbed the entire trail without stopping... twice!  

Last year I walked the downhill in a couple of spots because the rocky terrain was difficult for my old bike to ride over... this year I rode the whole downhill... twice!

Last year the ride felt SO long (probably because of the many stops I needed to take)... this year we did the whole thing in just over an hour... and decided to go for round two! 

Anyone who has ever been mountain biking with me knows that I have a love/hate relationship with mountain biking. I love the downhill... I hate the climb.  Honestly, I really love it.  I really, really do.  But, I hated to climb on my old bike.  It was REALLY hard and I was ALWAYS dead last (which I still am, but it's easier).  It was exhausting to climb on my old bike and I would get super frustrated and want to quit. Nothing can make me feel like crying quite like mountain biking.  

I once explained to a friend (who was an even newer mountain biker than me) that if at any point during the ride you want to cry and/or throw up.... then you're doing it right!  I truly thought that's how it felt for everyone.  

Yesterday I paced myself on the uphill instead of trying to push myself to keep up with Mike and I loved it.  I kept thinking to myself, "This is easy... and it's a great workout."  Before I knew it, we were at the top.  After the ride I felt euphoric.  I felt great!  I seriously loved every. single. second of the ride!  Let's hope that my new bike will help me develop a love/love relationship with mountain biking!  

The picture above was taken from the trail.  Let's just say that it's fairly important that you stay ON the trail.  It's not very forgiving if you make a mistake. 

After biking we drove through downtown Auburn and found the coolest little pub to sit and enjoy a frosty beverage.  What a perfect day.  

Lately I feel like I haven't been very good about taking pictures and videos of our adventures.  I'm hoping to get better with this.  I loved looking back over our past year in pictures and videos and I told myself that I would try to document everything thoroughly... unfortunately the opposite has been true.  But, stay tuned.  I'm hoping for LOTS more adventures and better pics/videos of them.  

So Cal

This weekend I flew down to LA, rented a car, and spent the weekend visiting friends and family all over Southern California. 

Flying into LA, the traffic looked horrendous. There was a steady stream of red and white lights that illuminated the freeways. So, I picked up my sporty little Toyota Corolla and drove straight to a hotel (avoiding the freeway at all costs). After a hot shower to wash the plane germs off, I went right to sleep (right in the middle of a king sized bed). Saturday morning I headed straight to the beach! 

I drove from Long Beach to Corona to check out the Jenson "superstore."  It was a big store with lots of bikes, but not nearly as big as I expected. I am in the market for a new (or new-to-me) mountain bike and they had a great deals but I didn't really love any of them (and they're still pretty expensive). 

From Corona, I drove south through Lake Elsinore to Escondido where I met my brother and sister-in-law for lunch. They were in town for Anakah's work. It was awesome to see them,even if it was just for a quick lunch!  

After lunch, I hopped back on the freeway to head to Jamul, California to see my old college roommate and her family.  They have lots of land and gorgeous views. We grilled out and sat by a fire. I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time. My cheeks hurt, my sides hurt, and a couple of times I thought food was going to come out of my nose I was laughing so hard. Michelle and Jimmy are amazing parents to 3 sweet boys (8 years old and under). It was just so great to spend some time with them!  

Thomas kept saying "cheese" and then just as I snapped the picture, he sneezed. 

Let's try that again...

That's better!  I couldn't get a picture of their oldest (he was busy playing with his friends). But I did get a pic of the littlest...

Thank you so much Campbell family for being so gracious and allowing me to spend the night!  I had an amazing time and I can not wait to come back. 

Sunday morning I woke up and drove to Encinitas to meet two of my friends from my college days in Wilmington!  Apparently everyone from Wilmington must move to San Diego!  It was so great to see them!!!  We a

Had an awesome breakfast and talked for a couple hours.  Thanks again Darah and Mason and Jessica!  It was so great to see all of you!!!

After breakfast I hopped back in my sporty little rental car and drove north on the Pacific Crest Highway to Huntington Beach to see one my dearest friends...Jennifer!  I drove through Laguna beach and Newport Beach with the windows rolled down!  I had views of the ocean the whole way and I passed Lamborghini's and Maserati's (while I cruised along in a Corolla). It was an awesome drive!  But, Huntington Beach was my favorite by far!  It reminds me a lot of Wrightsville beach but in a bigger way!  Awesome town. I met Jenn at her adorable house on her palm tree lined street and we walked to Main Street and the pier. The area totally suits her. 

I left Jenn's and continued North on the PCH. We have some friends from Tahoe who just moved a little north of LA but I didn't have quite enough time to make it up there to see them. Maybe next time I will go north to see them and Jody and Cesar (friends from Peru)!  

Although I didn't make it all the way north, I did head a little north of the airport to check out Venice Beach and Santa Monica. I didn't even stop or get out of the car. I just cruised around trying to see as much as I could before heading to the airport.  I was able to see a beautiful sunset!  

Now, here I sit... In the airport... Waiting on my final leg of this journey. My flight home has been delayed an hour (I have no idea what the delay is for... The weather is awesome). Go figure. LA just doesn't want me to leave I guess. But I really miss Tahoe and I'm ready to go home!  

Thanks again to all my friends and family for agreeing to meet me or let me sleep over. I am so happy to have spent some time with each of you!  Can't wait to see you all again... But next time in Tahoe!