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!