Spring Melt

We still have a LOT of snow around to melt.  But, the temps have finally been warm enough to really begin the melting process.  This blog will be a glimpse into what springtime looks like in Tahoe this year:

Let's begin with Mike's work... technically the mountain (Heavenly) is still open for business.  Today is the last day of operations for the ski season.  Mike participated in gondola evacuation training the other day.  In an emergency, if the gondola can't operate, they have to get everyone off.

So, here's a brief description of how it would work: 

THE SKI PATROLLER ZIP LINES DOWN THE GONDOLA
CABLE TO THE CAB...

YES, THAT IS MIKE. 

ONCE AT THE CAB, THEY OPEN THE DOORS MANUALLY
AND REPEL THEMSELVES DOWN THE SIDE

YEP... THAT'S MIKE AGAIN.

JUST ANOTHER DAY ON THE JOB FOR HIM. 

THEN THEY LOWER THE PASSENGERS DOWN
TO THE GROUND... ONE BY ONE. 

Let's just say, this definitely doesn't seem to be a quick or easy process.  So, let's hope it's not necessary... ever.  However, it's good to know they are there in case we need them.  So grateful for hardworking men and women like my husband who are willing to do things like this.

Last Sunday, Zephyr and I took a little walk on a local nature trail which leads down to the dog beach.  

HEAVENLY SKI RESORT IN THE BACKGROUND...
SEE THE GONDOLA LINE?

PUPPY IS LOOKING AT THE CREEK WHICH
IS FLOWING HIGH!

NEVADA BEACH

Zephyr is so much fun to watch at the beach.  Everything is still so new to him and he gets so excited!  Plus... then he wears himself out... 

THE PATH TO THE BEACH WAS MUDDY IN SOME
SPOTS AND HE LOVED IT!!!!  SO, HE GOT A BATH
WHEN WE GOT HOME.

I LOVE HOW HIS HAIR CRIMPS WHEN HE'S WET. 

THEN, WE NAPPED... 

... ALL AFTERNOON! 

SLEEPING WITH ONE FOOT UP THE WALL...
BESIDE HIS BED... NOT ON IT.

GOOFBALL.

DREAMING OF GOING BACK OUTSIDE TO PLAY? 

NOPE!  JUST SLEEPING WITH HIS HEAD ON THE
ARMREST. 

GOOD SLEEP. 

THEN MIKE CAME HOME FROM WORK AND JOINED THE NAPPING PARTY!

FINALLY WE ARE ALL AWAKE!

LOOK AT THAT MONSTER!?!?!
HE'S HUGE! AND HE'S ONLY 4 MONTHS OLD!

SADLY, HE'S BEGINNING TO LOSE HIS PUPPY FUR.
HE NOW HAS A STRIP OF "ADULT FUR" RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE
OF HIS BACK... WITH PUPPY FLUFF ON THE SIDES.  

LOOK AT THOSE EYES! 

Yesterday, we decided to do a scenic drive around the lake!  Puppy's first time on a long car ride and he did great.  We stopped at Kiva (another dog friendly beach on the lake) first.  Naturally, Zephyr loved it.  But, so did we!  The water level was higher than we've ever seen it.  Taylor creek is more like Taylor RIVER!  

KIVA BEACH... CAN YOU SPOT ZEPHYR? 

MT. TALLAC AND AN OVERFLOW AREA OF TAYLOR CREEK

WHILE I'M STARING AT TALLAC.... I HEAR MIKE TELLING ZEPHYR TO
"GET THE STICK" AND I TURN AROUND TO SEE THIS. 

NOTICE THAT DROP OFF?  THE WATER IS CLEAR!  THAT GETS DEEP...
FAST!  

MOUTH OF TAYLOR CREEK. 

WHERE THE CREEK MEETS LAKE TAHOE. 

MIKE IS POINTING OUT WHAT HE WOULD LIKE
TO SKI NEXT. 

 After seeing all the water at Kiva Beach, we were excited to head up to North Lake to Tahoe City to see the dam.  Since it was lunchtime, we headed to our favorite little SOUTHERN STYLE BARBECUE restaurant which happens to be on the water in Tahoe City.  Does it get better than that? 

LUNCH SPOT...

MOE'S BARBECUE IN TAHOE CITY.
YUMMY FOOD... GOOD VIEW. 

 We had some carbs to walk off after lunch so we walked around Tahoe City... did some shopping... and walked down to the dam. 

WHERE LAKE TAHOE BECOMES THE TRUCKEE RIVER. 

THE DAM

THAT'S A LOT OF WATER!!!!  ALL FROM ONE REALLY GOOD WINTER! 

ALL GATES ARE OPEN AT THE DAM!  

YOU CAN SEE HEAVENLY ACROSS THE LAKE

DOESN'T HE LOOK EXHAUSTED?

WE STOPPED IN AT SQUAW TO SO MIKE COULD LOOK
FOR SOME NEW SKIS... HE FOUND A GOOD DEAL
HERE LAST YEAR... NO LUCK THIS YEAR.

BUT WE SAT OUTSIDE AND WATCHED SOME SKIERS
AND LISTENED TO SOME LIVE MUSIC AND
SIPPED ON A FANCY DRINK FROM STARBUCKS

 On our way back to Tahoe City from Squaw, we stopped by the river to take a few pictures.  

THIS IS NORMALLY THE "TAKE OUT" SPOT FOR RIVER RAFTING.

THIS WAS NOT THE WORST FLOODING ALONG THE
RIVER... BUT IT'S THE ONLY PICTURE OF
FLOODING THAT I SNAPPED. 

WE COULDN'T FLOAT THE TRUCKEE LAST YEAR
BECAUSE THE TRUCKEE WAS DRY....

THIS SUMMER WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO FLOAT
IT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T CLEARANCE BENEATH
THE BRIDGES!

IT'S HARD TO TELL BY THE PICTURE... BUT
THERE IS ALMOST NO CLEARANCE 

THE RIVER IS SO WIDE!
IT IS SO NICE TO SEE SO MUCH WATER!!!

HE SLEPT THE WHOLE CAR RIDE HOME

It was a great day of sightseeing and we realized that when we take our dog anywhere, we should plan for a few extra hours of stopping to let strangers love on him.  We couldn't take 5 steps without someone asking to pet him.  It was great socialization for him.  And he's still worn out today!  Win-win!  

For a quick bucket list update: 

I made a menu for the entire month of May and guess what? It's a new to us recipe every single day of the month.  Let's see if we can make it happen.  

Well folks, that's a long blog post.  Stay tuned for more adventures from Tahoe!  Much love to you all!!!  XOXO! 

35 Before 35

Yep.  That's right.  Another bucket list.  

This time: 35 things before 35 years old!  

I'll be 32 in June so I have 3 years and 2 months to get it all done.  

Why am I doing this again???  

Because it's good to have goals!

And because when I look back at previous blogs and reminisce on our past and all we have done, I realize how happy my previous bucket list made me.  It encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone and try new things.   It gave me a list of things to continuously look forward to!  

Another huge perk of coming up with a bucket list... it helps you realize all the amazing things you've already done.  I've spent months coming up with this list and it was legitimately HARD to come up with 35 realistic things that can be done in my set time limit.  Things you've never done before.  Things that you WANT to do.  

Now, my lifetime bucket list?  I have no problems coming up with things to fill that list... 

examples: visit Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Greece, Italy, etc.  You get the idea, right?

But, this short term bucket list is challenging.  So, I went to the internet for inspiration and ideas.  I searched for other people's bucket lists and guess what I found???  

I found out that I've done A LOT in my short 32 (almost) years here.  I've had so many amazing opportunities.  I've been to beautiful places.  I've dared to take risks.  I've gotten out of my comfort zone.  

But, I certainly haven't done all that I want to do.  This life is short and I intend to fill it as full as possible.  

So, without further ado...

I present to you...

MY 35 BEFORE 35 BUCKET LIST:

1.  PAY OFF MIKE'S STUDENT LOANS. 

Seriously, my first item is paying off MIKE'S loans???  YES!  We have a joint banking account.  I will be just as excited as him when we no longer have that expense.  And we are SO CLOSE!  And because we are NOWHERE near paying mine off.  It will feel so good to pay his off.  

2. STRAIGHTEN MY TEETH. 

I wore braces for 6 years.  6 YEARS, PEOPLE!  It bothers me so much that I didn't follow through with wearing my retainer (totally my fault).  My parents spent good money on my smile and I let them down.  Time to fix it.  

3. COMPLETE A MARATHON. 

A full marathon.  26.2 miles!  Please note that it says "complete."  Not "run."  Therefore I reserve the right to walk as much of said marathon as I desire.  

4. GO PARASAILING. 

Probably on Lake Tahoe.  Just one of those things I've never done.  Seems exciting enough. 

5. GROW OUT MY HAIR AND DONATE IT TO A CHARITY. 

It's in the works.  I think my hair is currently the longest it has ever been.  And my hair grows SO SLOWLY.  Therefore, I'm going to keep letting it grow out and then chop it off for a good cause.  

6. MAKE A VIDEO COMPILATION OF TAHOE ADVENTURES.

I keep saying that we need to use the GoPro more for mountain biking and skiing, etc.  I'm hoping that by putting this item on the bucket list, I will actually get it done.  

7. CANCEL CABLE FOR A YEAR. 

Because it's expensive and we are bad about coming home and vegging out in front of the tv every night.  We would've done this one already but I like watching my local news in the morning... and the Today show.  

8.  SPEND A NIGHT IN A TINY HOME. 

Truthfully, I kinda want to live in a tiny home.  But for now, one night will do.  

9.  SPEND A NIGHT IN A TREEHOUSE. 

But a nice one.  Not a rickety thing in someone's back yard.  Who wouldn't want to do this?  

10.  FINISH HIKING THE RIM TRAIL.

The Rim Trail is a 165 mile trail around Lake Tahoe.  Along the west shore of the lake it is also the Pacific Crest Trail (which spans from Mexico to Canada).  We've already done a LOT of the Rim Trail... just a few more places along the north and west that we need to finish up.  

11.  DO A FOREARM STAND. 

Headstand was on the last bucket list and I achieved it.  I felt it was only appropriate to progress that goal.  Plus, I find this pose to be EXTREMELY difficult due to my incredibly weak shoulders.  It should prove to be a good challenge.  

12.  FINISH OUR HOUSE PROJECTS. 

Ok, this is a big one.  This might be slightly unrealistic because, well, let's be honest, my list of house projects is never-ending.  As soon as we cross something off, I add something else.  So... we'll see. 

13.  TAKE A PICTURE OF SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL EVERY DAY FOR A MONTH. 

This one is inspired by my drive into work every morning.  I constantly see things that are breathtakingly beautiful all around me but I rarely stop to actually take a picture of it.  

14. GO BACK TO HAWAII. 

I know we've already been to Hawaii but I added this to the list because a) Hawaii is awesome, and b) there are still 2 big islands we haven't been to yet!!!!  

15.  FINISH PADDLING THE WEST SHORE OF LAKE TAHOE. 

We have paddled a LOT of the lake but, much like the Rim Trail, we just haven't paddled it all.  And I won't be satisfied until I know that I've seen every little cove.  

16.  HIKE MT. WHITNEY. 

The highest peak in the lower 48 and it's only a few hours from where we live.  The dilemma?  It's a lottery system to apply to hike it... we've applied 3 times and we've lost all 3 times obviously.  C'mon recreation.gov!  Help me out!  It's on my bucket list for crying out loud.  Can you just let me win the lottery one year???  

17.  GO TO ARCHES NATIONAL PARK AND MOAB. 

And mountain bike in Moab because it looks awesome. 

18.  GO TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK AND JACKSON HOLE. 

Again, because it looks awesome!  

19.  GET A TATTOO. 

What??? Yeah.  For real.  I know what I want and I know where I want it.

*Please note the disclaimer at the end of this blog post. 

20.  RELEASE A FLOATING LANTERN. 

Doesn't it look like a magical experience? 

21.  GO TO SEATTLE. 

Still on the list.  Didn't get it accomplished before 30.  Hope to get it accomplished before 35.

22.  GO TO THE HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL IN NEW MEXICO. 

Again, this looks like a magical experience.  Plus, I met some people from New Mexico on a mission trip to Peru and they made it sound really fun!  

23.  EAT AN AWFUL, AWFUL BURGER. 

In my search for easily achievable bucket list items, I ran across a list of "One Thing You Must Do in Every State," and the ONE THING you should do in NEVADA... was eat an "awful, awful" burger in Reno!  Super achievable.  And now I'm intrigued and want to know if that is deserving of being the ONE thing a person should do in Nevada.  

PS - Apparently it's called "awful, awful" because it's "awful big and awful good."  We shall see. 

24.  VISIT A GHOST TOWN. 

Again, should be super achievable where we live.  Kinda surprised we haven't done this yet. 

25.  SKI "THE WALL" AT KIRKWOOD. 

So, I've been skiing at Kirkwood for years now, and in previous years the snow has been kinda crappy and "the wall" which is a steep face, has always been a little icy for my liking.  I should've achieved this goal this winter... but I didn't even ski there ONCE this winter.  That's crazy.  Anyway, there was a day last year that I hopped in line for the chair lift up the wall and then the chair broke down IMMEDIATELY before I got on... I assumed that was divine intervention telling me I wasn't quite ready yet.  But, I've practiced since then.  And little kids (who are way better skiers than myself but still) are shredding the wall on their tiny skis.  If they can do it.... 

26.  WIDE LEGGED FORWARD FOLD WITH MY HEAD ON THE FLOOR. 

Another yoga challenge.  I have NEVER in my lifetime been able to straddle stretch.  I could never do a middle split growing up.  In all my years of dance, I feel this is one thing that never really improved.  Therefore, I added it to the list.  Makes sense, right? 

27.  FULL MOON AND/OR SUNRISE HIKE TO THE TOP OF MT. TALLAC. 

A popular thing to do around here.  Awesome lake views.  Faces east for the sunrise.  It's a legit hike though.  Sure, it's only 9.6 miles round trip BUT there is 3,500 ft of elevation gain.  It's a moderately tough hike during the daytime.  

28.  SKI ALL THE RESORTS IN THE TAHOE BASIN. 

As long as we've lived here... I've skied the same 3 resorts.  Time to branch out and ski at a few of the other awesome resorts in this area.  

29.  GO WHITEWATER RAFTING.

Yep.  I've never done this.  I don't think floating the Truckee river in North Lake Tahoe counts.  

30.  MEET SOMEONE FAMOUS. 

This could happen.  We do have the Celebrity Golf Tournament in Tahoe.  The odds are in my favor on this one. 

31.  TRY CROSS COUNTRY SKIING.

Another one of those things that I've talked about trying for years... and yet here I am today... still haven't done it.  Plus, I will always remember from PT school that cross country skiers have the best average VO2 max of any athlete (in a nutshell it means their very good at utilizing oxygen during activity... they're fit... why not get in on that action?).  

32.  TRY A NEW RECIPE EVERY DAY FOR A MONTH. 

This doesn't mean eating 30 different things... this means eating 30 NEW and different things.  New to us recipes... and a different one each day.  

33.  PLANT A TREE IN A BURN AREA. 

Another roll over from the previous bucket list.  I didn't get it done and I still would like to.  

34.  DO 1 RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS EACH WEEK (for at LEAST a month). 

I would like to commit to more... and I will desperately try to exceed this goal.   But, because I like crossing things off a list when I accomplish them, I had to set a realistic and achievable parameter.  

35.  DONATE TO A NEW CHARITY EVERY MONTH FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. 

There are a lot of charities I'd like to support but I never end up supporting any of them.  Ridiculous. 

Well folks, that's my list.  

I hope you like it. 

Actually, I don't really care if you like it... it's MY list.  Not yours. 

But I do encourage you to make your own.  It's super fun. 

Perhaps the most important part of my new bucket list is the following 

DISCLAIMER:

 I reserve the right to change or substitute any items on the bucket list at any time, as I see fit.  It's my list and I'll do what I want.  Thank you. 

Now... it's time to get started on this list!  Stay tuned! 

Oops... I did it again...

... I went weeks without a blog post!  That's WEEKS without puppy updates!  Sorry!!!  He's changed a lot in that time.  Without further ado, here's some pics of what's been going on around here:

BEAUTIFUL HERONS(?)

IT IS SPRING TIME IN THE VALLEY AND STILL WINTER IN THE
MOUNTAINS

This past week was my spring break.  I had no plans to go anywhere since Mike was still working full time on the mountain (thanks to so much snow, the mountain has extended their season).  So, I decided to tackle some house projects.... which ended up taking my ENTIRE week off.  

LIVING ROOM BEFORE

BEIGE EVERYWHERE!

LIVING ROOM AFTER

NEW DESK (handmade)

NEWLY PAINTED WALL

I LOVE IT!!!!  WE NEEDED SOME COLOR IN THIS HOUSE! 

The desk was made out of materials we had.  We only bought a few materials and paint.  It was a pretty big project though.  It just took a lot of time to sand and stain and measure and cut and screw it all together.  And, I may have gotten pretty frustrated midway through the project... but my supportive husband helped by cutting the wood pieces and assembling the shelves.  He encouraged me to keep going when I felt like scrapping the whole project and buying a new desk.  And I'm glad he did.  I really like it and I'm proud of all the hard work that went into it.  

Ok, now for the pictures you REALLY want to see... 

ZEPHYR LOOKS HUGE IN THIS PICTURE!!!!
WHERE IS MY LITTLE PUPPY?

HE LOVES SNOW.  LOVES LOVES LOVES IT. 

BUT I THINK HE WILL LEARN TO LOVE
THE SAND TOO. 

CUTEST LITTLE FACE EVER! 

HE BLENDS IN WITH THE SAND PRETTY WELL.

SQUINTY EYES

THAT'S BETTER. 

TIRED PUP AFTER A PLAYDATE WITH THE NEIGHBOR'S PUPPY

ZEPHYR'S FIRST VISIT TO EMERALD BAY

ZEPHYR'S FIRST VISIT TO NEVADA BEACH

TESTING THE WATERS

OH... I CAN DRINK THIS CLEAR, COLD, DELICIOUS
WATER TOO???? 

I LOVE A TIRED PUPPY! 

Well, that's about it from Tahoe.  Spring Break went by WAY too fast!  I still have a long list of home projects and there's still plenty of adventures to be had around here so stay tuned!