SNOVEMBER

As the calendar rolled into November, the storm clouds started rolling into Tahoe.  We had friends coming into town from North Carolina, exactly the same night that we got our first winter storm of the season.  Luckily, their flight made it to Reno without difficulty.  The forecast for snow accumulation amounts fluctuated.  The average forecast called for about 3-5 inches at 7500 ft which is where our house is.  In addition to the storm, we got some lake effect snow which brought us up to a FOOT of snow at our house, even more in the higher elevations.  Thanks again for coming to visit us Nick and Jessica!  You guys must have been a good luck charm.  You are welcome to come back ANY time you want!  Congrats again on your wedding and we wish you guys a LIFETIME of happiness together!

We had a blast with them here.  It was a quick visit so we tried to fit as much in as possible.  The very first night was a little bit of an adventure.  We decided to head down to Heavenly village for dinner at a local pizza place.  We bundled up in our winter gear, piled into the car, and drove 1/4 mile down the street before hitting PARKED traffic on Kingsbury grade (the mountain pass going into the Tahoe basin).  So, we turned around and headed home.  I began cooking dinner and we all began drinking... next thing you know... no power.  Awesome.  Luckily we have a gas stove so I was able to continue cooking.  We broke out the camp lantern and had a nice warm meal.  It was pretty cozy.

MONDAY MORNING... JUST BEGINNING

AND YES, WE STILL HAD SCHOOL.
THIS WAS ON MY COMMUTE TO WORK. 

BY THE TIME I GOT HOME FROM WORK, WE HAD
ABOUT 5 INCHES! 

BY NIGHTTIME...
UP TO 10 INCHES! 

WHEN ARE THEY GONNA PLOW OUR STREET???

OUR NEIGHBOR THOUGHT OUR HOUSE STILL
HAD POWER... PRETTY BRIGHT LITTLE LANTERN.

Tuesday, Mike and I worked while our guests headed out to see the sights of Tahoe.  We met up Tuesday night for dinner.  I took Wednesday off to spend some time with our friends before they headed out.  We did some sight seeing in some of the "less touristy" areas.

EARLY MORNING VIEW FROM OUR DECK

ICICLES! 

 We headed down to Taylor Creek to go on a bear hunt.  We saw a few salmon still trying to make it upstream, but no bears!  We saw lots of other wildlife (coyotes and even a porcupine).

THE WATER LEVEL IS MUCH HIGHER THAN
JUST A FEW DAYS AGO! 

HOW CUTE ARE THEY? 

PORCUPINES ARE BIG!!! 

LOOKING OUT OVER FALLEN LEAF LAKE. 

LILY LAKE.  

MT. TALLAC FROM KIVA BEACH! 

 Wednesday afternoon they headed out for Reno.  I decided to do some laundry, lay on the couch, and watch Christmas movies.  I KNOW... it's not even Thanksgiving yet BUT when it looks like THIS...

...outside, I think you be able to watch Christmas movies without judgement!

Mike and I were hoping to go get a workout in by skinning up one of the runs at Heavenly.  But, it didn't work out for Wednesday.  But, fast forward to Saturday and we finally made it out!  It was MY first ski of the season... Mike had already been out a few times.  It was an absolutely beautiful Tahoe blue sky day.

MIKE SETTING A SKIN TRACK JUST AFTER THE STORM. 

 Since I forgot my phone, but Mike had his, all the pictures are of me.  Which is probably a good thing because usually all the pictures are of him and/or the dog.

NOTICE LOTS OF OTHER TRACKS.  LOTS OF PEOPLE HAD BEEN OUT. 

I have a LOT of cobwebs to shake off when it comes to skiing.  I've never felt very confident as a skier and even less so in powder.  I actually struggled to get down the mountain.  That should've been the easiest part (after climbing up 2000 vertical feet).  But, it's like I had totally forgotten how to ski.  I'm looking forward to a BIG snow year (hopefully) so that I will get LOTS of practice.  I really do want to get better at it so hopefully this is my year to do that.

Speaking of a big snow year... we are currently waiting on another storm to hit us tonight and tomorrow that should bring us a few more inches of snow.  Let's hope it continues!