Fresh Water....

So, a few weeks ago we went up to Lake Tahoe and rented a cabin for the weekend. This time we actually stayed in something that could be called a "cabin". It had a bathroom, a bedroom, and lots of wood panelling.

Tahoe really is a gem in California's crown. I feel privileged to spend time up there. The stunningly blue water commands attention and admiration. Surrounded by mountains that still have snow at the tops in September, the lake reflects the sky and reminds you that real beauty exists outside of the human experience.

Too bad it's so frickin' cold that you can't swim in the thing though.

I swear, it's like putting your feet in the North Sea. The photo above (yet another example of how my wife can take far better photos than me) while romantic and one of my favorites ever caught on film belies the reality that poor little Lachlan didn't know what hit his little toes. It wasn't too bad at ankle deep, but deeper than that, pfft.....it was popsicle city. Mind you, our dog didn't care. We couldn't get him out of the water, but then again he is a Labrador and so, doesn't know any better.

We stayed up on the north shore, which is ....ahem....where the natives go to. That south shore is for the tourists. ANYWAY, there is a hike up to the top of this mountain that is worth the trek. Heather is a big fan of views, and man, there were views a plenty. The camera sometimes can not capture all that you see, but only reminds us that we were there.

On the Saturday we took this cable-car, gondola thingy up to the top of Squaw Valley. It's great that they still keep this place open in the summer because the hiking up there is fantastic. There is a surreal aspect to it though as you are hiking about in the summer sun with ski lifts all around you. They sit lonely and unused, just waiting for the winter.

Ah, the poor little buggers. I have to consistently remind myself that we take them out on these trips to somehow influence their subconcious and expose them to a variety of experiences, but sometimes I think they'd rather just be at home playing with their toys and spitting up on the carpet.

On the last day we were there we took a 5 mile hike up to the top of a ridgeline. The promise of a mountain lake at the summit made it seem like an ideal pursuit, but it proved to be a pretty steep 1,500 foot upclimb. There was indeed a lake at the top, and the scenery was the wild California chaparral forest I love so much, but man, those packs proved heavy. The boys are getting bigger, and what used to be ambling day hikes before they were born are now more like military marches since we now strap them on our backs.

California. It has been very good to me indeed.