Recently I returned from a very relaxing mini vacation to one of my favorite places in the whole world, Lake Tahoe, CA/NV. For those of you from California, you surely know this beautiful place, and those of you not from around here, an explanation in words just doesn't do it justice.
For the past 5 summers, I have been taking my daughters on our "all-girl" trip to Tahoe ( as we like to call it). We are lucky that my Aunt & Uncle have a rental home there, and they let us stay whenever we want for just the cost of the cleaning fee. It's a cute, cozy little cabin filled with hand-me-down furniture that reminds me of my grandmother, since much of it was hers when she was alive.
The cabin is just minutes to the casinos (on the Nevada side) and shops S. lake Tahoe is famous for, but also minutes from the lovely beaches that run along the lakefront. Since we started this tradition, we have explored and experimented with the many activities that are available in the summer. This year, we kept it low key and spent our days getting pedicures, seeing a movie we all agreed on, and lounging at the beach. Tahoe is known more for it's Winter sports, skiing in particular, but we prefer being there in the Summer. The weather never disappoints, usually lingering around 85 degrees, and the air is always clean and fresh.
This year, my girls did not bring along friends as they usually do. I let my oldest go up a few days ahead of me with a few of her friends, so they all left by the time my younger daughter and I arrived. I was a little worried they would get bored and want to go home early, not having any of their friends with them. Overall though, it was a great trip and I really enjoyed getting to spend some quality time with both of them, which is so hard to do now that they are teenagers, and my oldest off at college most of the year.
I am never able to relax at home the way I do when I'm there. It's like I become a whole different person, away from all the responsibilities, chores, and work that are part of my everyday life at home. I enjoyed myself so much this time, it was very hard to leave.
For the first time, since we started these annual trips, I drove completely around the entire Lake, which is about a 72mi. drive along winding roads that run parallel to the edge of the lake. On part of the drive, there are hair-pin turns and drops on both sides of the 2-lane highway. There are charming cabins and cottages nestled amongst the evergreens all along the way, as well as Tahoe City about half way through, which is filled with cute little shops and restaurants. We stopped there for a leisurely lunch, dining outside, as we determined how long it would take us to get back to our cabin if we continued on and made the full circle around the lake.
In the end, we decided to go for it, and it was the most beautiful drive I have ever been on. The afternoon sun made the lake literally glow and the view from the road as the light changed, was stunning. We even got a little "tropical" weather this time, with a slight sprinkling of rain along the way, although the temperature remained in the low 80's.
I have decided that rest and relaxation are highly underrated, and are an absolute must in order for this busy mom to keep her sanity.
In just a few days I will be back to work, soccer practice has already started, AP camp begins next week for my youngest and the hectic pace of Fall will soon be upon us. My rest and relaxation is already becoming a distant memory, but a sweet one for sure!
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| Our view from the table at lunch, so relaxing! |
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| My girls on the front steps at Rosie's. |
Our little table on the porch at Rosie's
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| Had to show a picture of this yummy Butterfinger Ice Cream pie...we did all 3 share it! |
Happy Thoughts,
Lisa
*Note-I originally wrote this the day we came home, but I have been having computer troubles ever since. My daughter fixed me all up, so now we are back up and running :)
Your vacation sounds heavenly, Lisa, and your girls are so lovely. The dessert doesn't look too shabby either. :) I'm glad you had such a rejuvenating time, and I will email you tomorrow. :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds amazing. So lucky to have the home to use.
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