How do you celebrate your dad's birthday during a pandemic and with fires burning all around? You plan a surprise escape to Lake Tahoe. Don loves Lake Tahoe (more so in the winter for skiing) where you can get some fresh air, get out in nature and not feel like you are not committing a crime for going out during Covid.
It had been several years since we had been up to that sliver of paradise in the Sierra's. We've made a handful of winter trips over the years, but it had been pre-kids that we'd been up in summer. Don made frequent references in months past about Tahoe, how he'd love to go, how close it is, why don't we go? My response was always, "Go ahead and plan it" but time would pass and time in Tahoe remained a not so distant thought. Until we wanted to come up with something special for Don's birthday.
After some internet research, I found a place on the South Shore that was back off the main strip enough to feel quiet peaceful, amongst the surrounding trees. The girls told their dad to be packed and ready to go by noon on Friday and when the GPS started the directions, it was evident from Don's jokes that we'd planned well.
The drive up was easy enough. The lodging older but spacious with an outdoor pool that was a hit. We spent the following day, Don's actual birthday, out at Baldwin Lake, enjoying the cool waters, warm sun and fresh air. We had pool time in the evening and dinner at local hole in wall Mexican place (well, we had dinner outside on the side street due to Covid-our first time eating out like that) that was a hit for the three of them (I was cranky but I won't digress with that story!) The evening was topped off by cake and ice cream, some video games and jokes.
The next morning, we packed up somewhat early and headed off the Fallen Leaf Lake, something I'd heard about last minute from a friend. Off we went on a new adventure. We loved the tiny community and lake nestled deep in the forest hills. We spent time in the water, cooling off and digging for gold (Amara is always looking for gold!) before hitting the road for the drive home. Along the way, I started to ask myself, 'Why don't we come come up here more often? It is so close and so beautiful' It was a lovely birthday weekend and I think it's safe to say it was a successful escape to Tahoe.
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