Creative Reflections

A Quiet Day of Reflection

Sunday, July 6

The day I have been dreading has finally arrived. This will be our last full day in Tahoe. We head for home first thing tomorrow morning. There is a curious mix of emotions in the house this morning. Mario is expressing his thanksgiving for a great vacation, the boys are missing home and eager to get back. Me? I'm not talking much because the lump in my throat threatens to spill over into tears and ruin everybody's good mood. I know I should feel blessed and thankful for even being here in the first place. My lack of gratitude is making me feel guilty and adding to the misery.

As always though, the lake proves to be the needed tonic to my sore heart. We spent the day at hidden beach. The boys played and swam while I allowed the magic of the lake to envelope me. It probably seems silly but one of the songs I found myself listening to on my iTouch during this trip was David Cook's, "You'll Always be a Part of Me." The words to that song will always be for me a whispered song of love that this amazing place will hum in my heart whenever I find myself longing to return.

It is such a curious thing that while my passion for Lake Tahoe seems to know no bounds and I would gladly move here, that passion is not shared by Mario and the boys. They do enjoy our trips here and I trust that we have  created warm memories that they will return to often in the years to come. But for them it is just a happy trip along the way, no different than a fun trip to Disneyland. For me, it is something transformative that reaches the very depths of my soul. I found this quote that captures something of this feeling, " “It is the mind which creates the world around us, and even though we stand side by side in the same meadow, your eyes will never see what is beheld by mine, your heart will never stir to the emotions with which mine is touched.”

Mario and the boys were very gentle and sweet with me today, knowing I was struggling with the thought of leaving I was the lucky recipient of many unasked for hugs and kisses.

Photos From the Day

A photo for our home-town paper:

My Crew:

Is this devotion or what?!! Millie LONGS to be on the rocks with her boys:

She just couldn't resist and had to swim out to let Mario know how much she loves him:

Another Tahoe Butterfly...this one is a 'beach girl!'

Anthony giving me his sweet "Pookie Bear" look:

Austie STILL in the water!

Our Last Hike

July 5, 2008

During this vacation I have wanted to experience each day as fully as possible. I've tried not to think about the idea of our vacation coming to an end and thus casting a pall over our remaining days. Today though I woke with the heartbreaking thought, "We only have two more days and this will be our last hike." The truth is, I don't want to leave! I can already feel the grief welling up at the thought of our departure. Determined to tamp down the emotions that threatened to overwhelm me I rounded up my family and said, "TODAY, we are 'doing' Desolation Wilderness!" The boys groaned and Mario looked at me a bit quizzically.

About five years ago I had taken the boys on a hike into Desolation Wilderness. It was a working vacation for Mario and he was not able to go on the hike with us. The hike begins at Echo Lake and proceeds up through the rubble of now extinct glacier fields. The trail markers are often hard to find and somehow we got lost! The boys remember that hike as one where we wondered aimlessly in the hot "dessert" sun "for HOURS" while mom searched for moss to give clues as to which way was north. In reality we only lost our way for about 20 minutes and when I re-discovered the trail I felt such a sense of triumph! I had ventured into the "wilds" of Desolation Wilderness with my boys .... and survived!!

So NOW, it was my chance to relive our grand adventure and share this incredible place with Mario. Originally we were going to take the water taxi across Echo Lake to the trail head. But when we found out that the cost was $100 for a one-way trip we decided to hike around the lake instead.  It was a very warm day but the  hike was mostly shaded with a pine tree grove that grows all the way to the edge of the lake. The trail-head starts at the far side of the lake with a steep climb that takes you into the heart of Desolation Wilderness.

They don't call this place "desolation" for nothing! the rocky crags, granite erratics and steep inclines are indeed desolate. But they are also profoundly beautiful in their stark drama.

Our original destination was to be Lake Aloha. However the walk around the lake added an additional 3 hours to our hike. We wanted to end our last hike on a good note so rather than push the boys to make it to Lake Aloha we took an easy side trip and visited Tamarack Lake. The look of relief that passed over our boys' faces when we told them confirmed the wisdom of this decision.

Once we reached Tamarack we stopped for lunch and enjoyed the beauty of this classic Desolation Wilderness lake. Millie "met" a yellow lab that was traveling with his "human pets." The two dogs had great fun racing each other in the lake to see who could get the tennis ball first. I was equal parts proud and embarrassed at the behavior of my dog! Let me just say that she is a FIERCE competitor and even if it took a snarl or two to beat him off she wasn't about to let that lab win and get the ball! She may be a lady most of the time but put a ball in the water and my sweet dog turns into an animal!!

Photos From the Day

Echo Lake:

The Trial into Desolation Wilderness:

Lake Tamarack:

Okay, WHY are my boys grinning like this? Surely it can't be because I told them this is our last hike of the trip?!!!

God Bless America!

Friday, July 4, 2008

My close friends know that besides being crazy in love with my family, my dog and my hobbies I am also an unabashed patriot who thanks God every day for allowing me to be born in this great country. It should come as no surprise then that the Fourth of July is second only to Easter and Christmas as my MOST favorite holiday of the year.

This year being able to celebrate my nation's birth in my most favorite place in America surrounded by all my "boys" was a blessing beyond measure. I was mindful as we set out to spend the day on the beach that even as a day of delight was set before us the freedom that allowed us to do so was gained at the cost of immeasurable sacrifice by those who have served our country so faithfully through their military service. For those that have served or are currently serving in the military may God bless you and keep you safe and may you know the gratitude of those who enjoy the freedoms you have secured.

The weather today was a bit stormy as thunderclouds rolled in early. We stayed at the beach nonetheless and enjoyed watching the weather change the countenance of our beautiful lake. At one point I decided to brave the waves and took the kayak out. It was scary! It was sort of like 'Old Man and the Sea' but instead of battling a great fish it was 'Old Mom in the Boat' battling the waves! I stayed out for about forty minutes and then thought, "This is crazy! Okay ole' blue I give up, you win this round!" As I came back into shore a wave caught the side of the kayak and I capsized! ......  sigh ....... You can just imagine what a pitiful, humiliating sight that was! Up out of the water comes this scraggly-haired old mom, dragging her capsized kayak, still being pushed around by the crazy-wild waves, wearing white pants that have now become transparent because they are wet AND showing the entire, holiday-crowded beach my LOVELY pink granny underwear! Oh brother, I guess God figured I was in great need of a LARGE dose of humility!!!

Photos from the Day (thankfully none of my boys thought to take photos of my humiliation!)

The big skies of Tahoe before the storm clouds moved in:

Later in the day the sun came out and the boys ventured back into the lake while Mario lovingly watched over them:

A Tahoe Sand Castle:

Watching the fireworks over the lake was AMAZING, this photo doesn't do it justice but does give a sense of the double show you get with the reflection off of the lake:

The Cascading Falls of Cascade Falls

Thursday, July 3

Located in South Lake Tahoe and just east of Emerald Bay is Cascade Creek trial. We took this trail several years ago and I remember thinking that it was beautiful, but a bit scary trying to keep excited toddlers (Austin and Anthony) away from the steep drop-offs and cliff edges. Now that the boys are older that old worry was gone. So too it seems was my well-known fear of heights! As we hiked out to Cascade Falls I kept inching closer and closer to the edge (the better to get the photo don't you know?!!) Mario kept saying, "Will you get back here, I thought you were afraid of heights!" "I don't know," I said. "It must be the amazing view; takes my mind off of the fear!"

Cascade Falls is as the name implies a series of cascading falls that originate as a creek at Dicks Peek. It is a quick hike that only takes about an hour to get to the point where the falls tumble down to Cascade Lake. Anthony declared that this is his most favorite hike in Tahoe. This trail head is also the starting point of the Bayview Trail which takes you up to the Velma and Fontanallis lake area. That hike is about 11 miles round trip with over 2700 feet elevation gain. We have never made it to this area earlier enough in the day to attempt the hike. However, if the Cascade Creek trail is a preview of what lies beyond it is definitely a hike I want to take at least once in my life! Until then, I'll content myself with the beauty of Cascade!

Photos of the day

The Cascading Falls:

The terraced nature of cascade falls creates many still pools and a wonderful way to hike up and through the creek:

We lunched at a "landing" on the falls, took off our shoes & socks and enjoyed the ice-cool snow melt waters:

After lunch we followed the creek as far up as we could get before it was blocked by a giant landslide of boulders and broken trees:

Can you hear Mario "tut-tutting" me and saying, "sweetly" "DEBB GET AWAY FROM THE EDGE!"

Because 'lazy days' are part of summer too!

Tuesday, July 2

Today was a lazy day. We just hung around the condo, swam, played ping-pong and rested after the very full day of hiking we had yesterday. I caught up on some work for the web-site and created a couple of layouts. I'm not even close to scrapping all of our photos from the trip but having the computer here has given me a chance to get a head-start on scrapping all of our vacation memories.

Here are some of the layouts from our vacation so far:

Meeting Expectations

Tuesday, July 1

Anthony, Austin and I had been talking up our "best hike ever" ever since Mario and Alex joined us. Today was the day that we were going to take them out to this hike. As we were driving out to the trail head I began to get nervous thinking that we had talked up the hike too much and that Mario and Alex would end up being disappointed because we had hyped it so much. I shouldn't have worried! After all we are in the glorious Sierras and I've learned over time that the Tahoe basin NEVER disappoints and ALWAYS meets our expectations!

One of the cool things about this particular hike is that it is part of the Pacific Rim Trail and there are a lot of different side-trips that you can make to vary the hiking experience from trip to trip. This time around, since we got an earlier start, besides just hiking out to Dardenelle Lake we also took a side-trip to Round Lake. I'm not sure about the geology of this particular area but when I get home I'm going to have to do some research. Something different definitely occurred here at some point in the past. On the trail out to round lake you see these huge rounded chunks of sedimentary rock that almost look like broken up concrete except there are smoothed boulders packed into the mass. It is a curious mystery that had the boys and I making up  fantastical stories about how they came to be. My personal favorite was that they are giant basketballs that the towering trees play with when all the "people-animals" are off the trial.

Round Lake is, well, basically a big 'ole round lake! It is a high-altitude lake that sits at 8075 feet elevation with the snow-capped Red Lake Peek in the background. We found a warm sunny spot on the shore where we took a break and had our lunch. After lunch the boys had a rock-skipping contest. Alex has gotten very proficient at this game and had a seven-skip throw at one point.

On the way out to Dardenelle Lake Alex decided he wanted to head back to the car. I was so sad that he didn't want to share this part of the trip with us but decided it was best to give him some space. So, Alex hiked back to the car and we headed out to Dardenelle Lake. I think this is one of the most picturesque lakes in the entire region. The cliffs of the Dardenelles loom above the south shore while the north shore is dotted with boulders and granite slabs. We hiked around the lake and found a spot on the north shore where we  settled down to enjoy the sounds of the nesting birds and the wind blowing through the Aspens. There were several people that had hiked out with backpacks and set up camp for the night.  I told Mario that the next time we visit Tahoe I'd like to give that a try. I can just imagine how beautiful this place would be both at sunset and at dawn.....He remained non-committal!

Photos from the day.

I finally figured out a way to capture the scale of the Big Meadow (those little dots are the boys and Millie):

The mysterious boulders on the hike to Round Lake:

The giant trees that wait for "people-animals" to leave their domain so that they can play basketball:

Round Lake with Red Lake Peek in the background:

My "men" having lunch:

Austie's sweet smile-he has been such a joy on the hikes this time around; really taking joy in each new experience and encouraging every one else to do the same:

The Dardenelle cliffs on the south shore of Dardenelle Lake:

The boulder slabs on the north shore of Dardenelle Lake:

Our resting spot:

A odd pair; a spider and a butterfly:

The Big Meadow at dusk:

The Bliss of DL Bliss State Park

Monday, June 30

In the past we have often headed over to DL Bliss state park to enjoy some of the best lake hiking in the basin. DL Bliss is located on the west side of the lake. It is a state park and campground that also includes the amazing Rubicon Trail. This trail winds its way around the western rim of Lake Tahoe all the way down to Emerald Bay.

Today however we came to the park not to enjoy the hiking but to take advantage of the gorgeous beach at Calowee Cove. We brought the raft and kayak and 'set up camp' for the day on the beach. Each part of the lake has its own unique topography and character. The north side of the lake is renowned for its turquoise coves, the south shore is known for the hustle and bustle of the S. Lake Tahoe casinos and the long sandy stretch of beaches. The west shore is known for the sheer cliffs and granite pinnacles that drop dramatically into the lake. We have always enjoyed these cliffs from the perspective of the Rubicon hiking trail. But today, for the first time, we were able to see the drama of this shoreline from the perspective of the water as we took turns kayaking all along the 'lake side' of the Rubicon trial.

We picnicked on the beach, played soccer, skipped stones on the lake, took turns with the raft and kayak, swam and jumped off of the boulders and 'played pirates' in the cove. It was a relaxing, "blissful" day!

I'm even more entranced with the joy of kayaking than I was earlier in the week. I think I could kayak everyday and never get tired of it. At one point I had kayaked way beyond Rubicon point, heading toward Emerald Bay. The water was glassy smooth and the kayak sliced through the water with just the tiniest effort of the paddle. The setting sun was making the lake sparkle that a million glittering diamonds. I was listening to my iTouch and at that moment the song "Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone" started to play. Everywhere I looked I was enveloped by blue beauty. I felt the embrace of God's love so strongly. I stopped paddling so as to completely inhabit the moment. It was timeless and sublime; one of the most perfect moments of my life!

Photos from the day

Calowee Cove:

A momma duck and her babies:

One of Anthony's special gifts is his ability to take joy in every day:

The boys skip stones on the lake:

Jumping from the boulders:

The sparkle of the lake:

Anthony and Austin find a secret "pirate cove"

Enveloped in blue and the love of God:

The High Country

Sunday, June 29

There is a song on one of my worship albums whose chorus is, "will you fall to pieces in the high country?" To be honest I'm not sure I understand exactly what the song is about. To the best of my understanding I think it is about the reality of our reactions when we find ourselves in the presence of God and fully experience His glory. The melody is haunting and it is one of those choruses that can get stuck in your head. For me it ALWAYS remind me of our visits to the summit of Squaw Valley.

This is one of our most favorite hikes. Beyond the beauty of the hike itself we enjoy this hike because, well, we cheat! You see you can take the aerial tramway to the summit and all of your hiking is downhill! The peeks in the Squaw Valley area are majestic and awe-inspiring. We have never come to the summit when there hasn't been snow. The air is always brisk and has that sharp, clean scent that only mountain peeks still covered in snow seem to have. It is a place that, at least for me, speaks so clearly of God's creative majesty. And thus the association with the song I mentioned earlier. I step off that tram, hear that song in my head and think, "yes, I'm sure I will fall to pieces in the 'high country!"

This was our first trip on the tram where we were actually able to hike back down to the base of the mountain. In the past there has always been too much snow to allow us to do this. The hike is amazing. It begins on what, in the winter, are downhill ski runs. Halfway down the mountain you come upon Shirley lake. That is where we took a break to have lunch.

Continuing on the hike you get to this incredible old glacier field. The polished granite is steep and spectacular. Here and there you will see a pine tree that has fingered its way into some crack in the rocks and bravely perseveres through extremely harsh winters. There are rivulets of water and little streams everywhere you look. I imagine in spring when the snows are melting fast the polished stones we traversed are actually waterfalls.

The beauty of the day was spectacular even if the emotions of the day were a bit off. Something is up with Alex. I think the liberty he tasted while at Boys State is causing him to chafe a bit at the perceived "restraint" he feels to be back with his family. It seems to be a sad but probably unavoidable truth that there come times in a teenage boy's life when he would much rather be with friends than he would be with family. I know in my head it is all part of the growing up process; I just sometimes have difficulty reconciling that with my heart! We are tying to give him his space while not allowing the rest of the family to be held captive to the whims and drama of teenage mood swings. It is a tricky proposition; even more difficult than negotiating down the steep terrain of an old glacier field! Thank goodness we know the beauty of God's grace and forgiveness to help see us through these new challenges!

Photos from the day

Now this is my kind of hiking! Austin in the tram:

A view from the tram:

Walt Disney was inspired by this place when he created the Thunder Mountain ride at Disneyland:

This is the image that always comes to my mind whenever I think of Squaw Valley...If anyplace can make you "fall to pieces" don't you think it would be this "High Country?"

Even at the end of June Alex and Millie can still get in a little 'snow play'

Austin wanted to see how cold the stream was. It was so cold his fingers were pink after just a few minutes in the water.

Shirley Lake (check out that reflection of clouds in the lake...that was one of the 'happy photo accidents' that occur just every so often.)

Anthony at the Lake

One of the many hundreds of streams in this area:

The boys hiking the old glacier fields (doesn't it look like the very 'edge of the world?')

My New Favorite Activity!

Saturday, June 28

We decided we wanted to spend the day on the Lake. We loaded up the kayak and the raft and headed out. Because of all the driving we did yesterday I didn't want to go far from the condo. I had seen some public parking and public access to the beach just outside of Incline Village and that is where we headed.

It turned out not to be the best place to try to get to the lake. The path down to the shore was steep and filled with boulders. To make things even more difficult there were several guys that were fishing at the edge of the lake and they had a whole line of poles and line stretched out for several yards. This meant that we had to negotiate over even more boulders until we found an open spot. Poor Alex and Mario were wiped out carrying the kayak and we hadn't even started our day.

The beautiful weather, the warmth of the water and the fun of diving and swimming in and amongst the boulders soon had every one forgetting about the challenge of reaching our destination and we just soaked up the delight of the day.

Mario and the boys went out together on the raft and we all took turns using the kayak. Austin and Anthony spent most of the day swimming in and around the boulders and playing various games of chase and make belief. Alex found a big, flat, warm boulder and stretched out for a long, "catch up from the week" nap.

I have to tell you I have found a new passion! I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE kayaking on the lake!! I told Mario it is better than swimming, WAY more fun than snow skiing and even tops hiking!! There is something about being out on that big ole blue lake with just the quiet swish of the dipping ores and seeing the shoreline from out on the water that is just magical. Every once in a while the waves or the wind will pick up and you just glide through the water effortlessly. It is pure joy!!

Photos from our day

Three daring young lads set out to sea (well, ok, lake):

Playing on the boulders:

Austin loves swimming in the lake:

Alex looks on while his brothers play:

My new-found passion:

Austin and Daddy get in some cuddle-time:

A happy smile at the end of the day:

Reality Check!

Friday June 27

We had to drive back down to Sacramento in the afternoon to pick up Alex from his week-long stay at Boys State. Because of this we just hung around the condo and took it easy until it was time to leave. We took the boys to the local park. They brought their rip-sticks and we also brought a bat and a tennis ball to play some round-robin baseball.

I'm not sure if I should be offended or chastised! When we started playing baseball both of the boys were absolutely amazed that I could...A) Hit the ball and B) Run the bases!! Now, I admit my lifestyle over the past several years has gotten rather sedentary but really....I AM the mom that has not yet let a Sierra hike get the best of her!! It was a reality check though; when I get back home I need to make sure I don't fall back into my sedentary ways. Healthy, fit and skinny is the new order of the day for me!!

The drive to Sacramento took about two hours. We got there about 5:00 pm and could not pick up Alex until 11:00 pm so we decided to visit Old Sacramento. I'll tell you we may not technically be in a recession yet but if the amount of foot traffic and tourists is any indication the gas prices are definitely hurting the economy big-time. There was nobody in Old Sac; which is the tourist section of the capitol. We have noticed the same thing in Tahoe this year. There has been zero traffic around the lake. (Not that we are complaining about THAT mind you, but I do worry for the businesses up here.)

Anyway, we hung out at Barnes and Noble until it was time to pick up Alex. He ended up having a really great time. He met some new friends and learned some new things about himself. It was a long ride back home and we didn't get in until about midnight or so. Tomorrow will probably be another 'take it easy' day.