Rocks, Trees, Hammocks, and Wet Suits: a weekend with tahoe
It was our first time in Tahoe during the summer, and it proved to be just as majestic as it had under 24 feet of snow. We first drove into South Lake Tahoe through the rocky hillsides and towering trees of Eldorado National Forest, feeling the growing excitement that is only afforded knowing something like this is an easy reach from the city. Tired from the work week, we sought refuge at Emerald Bay. Where we set up our hammock, might be construed to some as trespassing, however we found a nook between cabins that separated us from the highly trafficked tourist spots. And we were pleasant intruders. All we did was play pass the pine cone with Boo, pass out for over an hour, and look over the tree tops to the vast blue waters of Tahoe. Boats and birds sounded in the distance, and the smell of pine surrounded us! We were happy, washed ashore, little clams.
The next morning we swam a mile race off Sands Harbor shoreline, and though it was a very short race, it was the most scenic we both have ever done. The water was calm and warm, the sun bounced off the iconic and immense rocks. We began swimming out from shore, and the sand gave way to deeper waters that were literally cascading downward with huge rock piles. Every breath we saw the tall hills overlooking the lake, and underwater there was nothing but a land of beautiful rocks, all within clear as glass waters. The swim was serene, and even Jamie agrees it was beautiful, though her wet suit tried to kill her. We were even more amazed that we actually placed 2nd and 3rd in our ages groups! Woot, woot! We played in the water afterwards, and jumped from rock to rock before we headed back for Boo.
If the hammock and the swim were not enough to connect us to our incredibly beautiful planet, it was the hike through Eldorado forest that placed a cherry right on top. We followed a somewhat marked trail through dense trees that led us up to a large opening, and it stunned us. The ground was no longer soil but all rock, and the hills became mountainous around us. Scattered trees broke through the rocky earth, allowing tufts of shade here and there. A waterfall fell in the distance, and its water could be heard streaming beside us. Boo basically jumped in the deeper eddies that formed, and we all laid sprawled out as if we were sun bathing at a beach. Chance would have it the the sky began to rumble, and crack. We hurried back as fast as we could, but the rain and the hail crashed down on us, and Boo, poor, wet, drab looking Boo, ran behind us as we hurried for cover. Eventually we made it back to the trail, though the not-so-fun off trail confusion did not help the chilling situation.
Alas, cold, wet, and all together, we drove home from an incredible date with Tahoe.
