Lake Tahoe

Nate and I went to Lake Tahoe to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Nate's parents watched our kids while we were gone for 3 nights. It was so nice to have a little break from life and to just be with Nate (my BFF... I've been dying to use that abbreviation, sorry!)

We flew to Reno then drove down to South Lake Tahoe and had a great time...

Emerald Bay

Here we are at Emerald Bay. The water REALLY is emerald green. Beautiful!

Here we are on our way down to Vikingsholm. We had to walk approximately a mile downhill to it, which interprets to a mile uphill to get back to our car. When I say "uphill", I mean UPHILL! You'll notice I didn't take any pictures on the way back up. It was all business. No detours. Just one goal in mind... get to the top!! I am the first to admit I am a whimp!


Vikingsholm
This was a summer home built in 1929 by Mrs. Lora Knight at Emerald Bay. She was a wealthy woman and thought something with Scandinavian architecture would be appropriate since the area reminded her of Norway. Well, since I am of Norwegian descent this was of interest to me. :) [If you are bored, then go blog surf or something!!]

Our tour guide, interestingly enough spent 14 summers here as a visitor when she was young. Her parents were friends of Mrs. Knight.

The thing that caught my attention on the inside is that it smelled and was reminiscent of Aunt Lillas' house. [I know only my family will understand exactly what I mean, but I couldn't leave that detail out!] Right off Nate said, "It smells like Lillas!" For the rest of you, Lillas was my great aunt who married late in life and never had any children. [Her father (my great grandfather) was from Norway, hence my Norwegian blood line.] She lived in the house her parents built in Idaho and was left with EVERYTHING. Just look at how the rooms are set-up. Lillas' house was the same way... almost as if the rooms are waiting for a guest to come and stay!


Heavenly
(That's the name of the ski area... I'm not THAT cheesy!)
Going up!
So I'm thinking... This is ok. It's not that high and steep.



And then..... I got a little nervous. We were still on our way up, but I looked down behind me! Nate just laughed at me. [What a whimp! I am, I tell you!] I have an initial fear of heights, but once I get used to it I'm fine. [I was still getting used to it here!]

I'm glad I did it, though! It was gorgeous up there. This was the first stop then you get back on the gondola and go further into the mountains where the ski resort is. We had lunch up there, but opted not to do any hiking. I was in some cute little flats that aren't much good for anything but looking cute (oh and I am a whimp, but I think we've already come to that conclusion)!!

EEEEK! Going back down wasn't my fave either!



M.S. Dixie II Cruise
We took a two hour cruise on a paddle boat on Lake Tahoe. It took us into Emerald Bay. It was fun to see the bay from a different perspective and to be out on the water. The wind was blowing and the sun kept hiding behind clouds, but it was fun. Ok, ok... So I got a little bored about 3/4 of the way through this one. I'm sorry, but I was cold and a little tired and we still had to "paddle" back to dock!

Side note: If you notice the island in the pictures, it was part of Mrs. Knights property. She built a Tea Room on the summit of it. Maybe twice a summer she would have a servant row them out to the island for tea. The roof is now gone, but the walls are still standing.



All in all we had a great time just being together, relaxing, shopping and not having a schedule. I will leave you with some pictures of some new friends we met during our visit.

Mr. Squeakers
(He's a bit of a loud mouth, though!)


Coolio
(I'm making this up as I go. Can you tell?!!)


Little Bear
(Can't you see him? Look closer... a little closer. Oh shoot! I didn't get my camera out fast enough! He was there I promise. He ran right across the highway and up the hill. We couldn't stick around for introductions, though. We had to catch our flight AND his momma probably wouldn't be too happy if he talked to strangers!)