Lake Tahoe - A Wonderful Winter Wonderland Weekend

Hello everybody! As evident from the title, my most recent adventure took me to beautiful Lake Tahoe. This adventure was very special. Besides the obvious Wintery beauty that graces the expansive lake and the surrounding mountains, this adventure was extra special because my amazing, beautiful boyfriend Tucker was with me.

Just before noon on Thursday, I waited anxiously, leaned against the wall at the bottom of the escalator at the Sacramento Airport baggage claim. Goosebumps and butterflies, lots of them. Finally, he arrived! What a fantastic way to start our adventure.

We left from the airport, immediately headed for Lake Tahoe. We made excellent time. Knowing how dry and warm our winter has been, seeing no snow was not a surprise. We checked into our adorable A-Frame cabin on the Northwest shore of Lake Tahoe, in Tahoe Park, and began our weekend.

Friday took us to the South Shore of the lake. During the roughly 35 minute drive through the winding peaks, we stopped at Eagle Falls. An amazing vista it was. The lake, a frozen waterfall, towering peaks. Amazing.

Our day at South Shore was a blast. Though we did lose some money (just how much will remain a secret). We drove home the opposite way, following the lake all the way around it's eastern shore. Dinner, champagne, hot tubbing, a perfect night indeed. The fairly mild weather of the past two days flipped on it's side. Saturday morning, we awoke to about 6 inches of fresh snow, with much more in sight. A quick breakfast in town and a trip to the store was first on our list (just in case we got snowed in).

After a relaxing, snowy, dreamy Saturday, we took to the South Shore again. Sunday brought quite a bit more snow as well as another stop at Eagle Falls. This time, a fluffy, snowy view fell upon us. Winter, magic. We couldn't hike down quite as far as our first venture to the falls, but we got far enough.

South Shore took more of our money, but gave us an AMAZING dinner at Friday's Station for our 6 month anniversary. French Onion Soup, Filet Mignon, Alaskan King Crab Legs, Chocolate Molten Lava Cake and wine. WOW! I used to go to this restaurant when I was quite a bit younger for my birthday. It had probably been 18 years or so since I had been there, and it did not disappoint.

And then...oh and then...our drive back to the cabin. One word, SCARY. One of maybe 4 other cars we saw on the road as we drove through a blizzard. To make a long story short, we arrived at our cabin almost 2 hours later, having braved deep snow covered roads, high winds, limited visibility. Oh my...but we made it.

We woke up Monday to another near foot of fresh snow. Tucker had a 12:30pm flight back to Nashville, so we got up early! It was a good thing we did, the weather was CRAZY and the drive was at times, frightening. We made it though, safe and sound. Reflecting on our weekend adventure, and saddened deeply by the end of it. But our next adventure is very soon to come.

It truly was a wonderful weekend in a Wintery wonderland.

Point Reyes National Seashore - North Beach

Well hello there again! This morning I awoke rather early for a Sunday. It was a chilly and overcast morning, sunlight raining down through small openings in the clouds. Rather than spend my Sunday doing the usual...sit around, watch movies, eat all day...I decided to get up, take advantage of the sunlight and head out on another adventure.

Today's adventure took me to the Northern California Coastline...Point Reyes National Seashore to be exact. The drive from my home in Petaluma is relatively short, only about 45 minutes. Scenic, winding and deserted, the road was an adventure all of its own. Stopping in Point Reyes Station for a morning snack before heading off, I found myself in the Bovine Bakery. One of the most delicious muffins I've ever had found its way into my hands. A blueberry banana bran muffin. Yum! Muffin, and a large chai tea in hand, I was ready to go.

I drove as far as I could through the national seashore reserve. It was my intention to go all the way to the lighthouse, but the road was closed at North Beach, and the shuttle to the lighthouse was not running. Camera bag and muffin in hand, I set out on foot down the beach. I planned to go as far as I could, even walk to the lighthouse if it was possible...but it proved to be just a bit too far of a walk. The sandy beaches, the vibrant firey fauna that flooded the landscape proved to me more than enough to fill my day. Below are some photos I took from my day. Enjoy!

Mount Tamalpais - January 2nd, 2012

Well...it has been a while since my last post. I'm not one to make resolutions, however, I am making a few exceptions this year. With many wonderful adventures on my horizon, that will prove to be full of love, and beauty...I am vowing to journal them as much as I can.

Today's adventure took me a little South, to Mount Tamalpais in Marin County. Those of you on the West Coast, and many others know, that the weather this year is proving to be rather different from what we experienced last year. In taking advantage of a beautiful day, I took myself, and my camera on a hike up and around Mount Tamalpais and its Eastern Peak.

Driving on the 101, coming closer to my destination...Mount Tam revealed to be shrouded in low clouds. Unable to see the top, my excitement grew. I LOVE taking pictures with cloudy overcast skies, makes for some beautiful dramatic images.

I took my turn, wound through the narrow roads of Mill Valley, reached the cloud line and I slowed WAY down. Visibility at some points near the top were maybe 10 feet at best. I kept on, beams of sunlight filtered in periodically until suddenly, I broke through the clouds. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and I looked down on the clouds as if I was looking down on the sky itself.

The hike itself was great yet tiring. I haven't hiked for quite a while, and my legs aren't quite used to the terrain. The effort turned out to be well worth it.

Stay tuned for more tales of adventure. Lake Tahoe in two weeks will likely be the next post...though any snow on the ground is doubtful, the majesty of the lake I'm certain will never disappoint.

My adventure comes to a close...

Sadly...my Alaskan adventure has come to a close. This has been one of the most amazing weeks of my life, and will hopefully be the gateway to many more explorations. I think of those who live here, though the winters are hard, I cannot imagine living amongst such incredible beauty. I hope that they do not take it for granted. It is easy to do so however, and makes me think of all the wonderful things Northern California has to offer that I have yet to experience. Whether the adventure is close to home, or thousands of miles away, I will embrace each one with excited eyes.



As I sit, waiting to board the plane for my journey home...I am saddened to leave, but will remain, Forever changed, Forever grateful, Forever inspired by the majestic beauty of this, the last frontier...Alaska.

Anchorage to Seward, Exit Glacier and Kenai Fiords National Park

Well...my last day of exploration proved not to disappoint. After a bit of breakfast, I hopped in the car and headed south, on the Seward Highway. Just south of Anchorage begins the 40 mile drive down the coast of the Cook Inlet, a drive they call, the Turnagain Arm. This scenic ride has been ranked along side the most notably beautiful drives in the world. I would say...I would definitely agree. Today continued to be overcast, but the clouds created the most amazing landscapes even bright blue sky couldn't rival.

Continuing south, I made my way to Seward, AK. Seward is situated at the head of Resurrection Bay on the Kenai Peninsula and is one of Alaska's oldest and most scenic communities. By the time I reached the town, I was fairly hungry and in the mood to do some shopping. Unfortunately, all of the main business district had no power and all the shops and restaurants were forced to close. Bummer. So instead of eating, I drove back through town and headed west, to the Exit Glacier & Kenai Fiords National Park. This was truly amazing...and since my previous effort to make it to a glacier was thwarted by a bear, I was more than thrilled to make it all the way to the glacier today without incident.

As if the glacier wasn't amazing enough, the Kenai Fiords National Park also proved to be absolutely breathtaking.

Stopping on the way home in the trendy ski town of Girdwood, I finally was able to get some much needed food. Chair 5, a restaurant in town that I had heard good things about lived up to it's reputation. A fun and lively atmosphere, similar to that of a local hangout in Lake Tahoe, was indeed inviting. The seafood puttanesca was out of this world.

I finally made it back to my hotel in Anchorage. Amazed at the day, but saddened by the fact that tomorrow, I will be leaving this magical place and going home. All the more reason to continue adventuring.

On the Road...Anchorage to Chitina, Wrangell Mountain Air & Kennecott!

...These last 2 days (Saturday & Sunday) have been the most amazing since I've been here. If I had one wish these last few days, it would be to be able to record what my eyes have had the privilege to see. There are few words that come to mind to describe the epic scenery, honestly any word I chose would not do it justice.

I began Saturday morning, leaving Anchorage at 830am and heading northeast for the tiny town of Chitina, a trip of about 250 miles. This road trip would prove to be the most amazing drive I've ever taken. Passing soaring peaks, endless glaciers, rivers, lakes, and vast expanses of flower laden tundra. I had to stop many times for pictures.

Along this drive, countless mountain tops rise, often higher than the cloud cover, hiding their peaks. Remnants of glacial ice streams down in deep crevasses. I had to concentrate very intently on driving and watching the road, so as not to crash into a moose as I was staring, mesmerized at nature's masterpieces.

Hundreds of twists and turns brought me to my final stretch of road...the Alaska's State Highway 10, the state's first highway. The seemingly 1,000 mile vistas were the most breathtaking.

Arriving very close to my destination, Chitina, I realized that I had drastically over estimated the time it would take me to get there. I arrived 3 hours earlier than I needed to. Perpetually looking to photo opportunities, which were never in short supply, I came upon Liberty Falls.

When I mentioned Chitina as my destination, what I really mean is that was my final road destination. My actual destination was far beyond my reach by car. I was to be staying at the Kennecott Glacier Lodge, in the old mining village of Kennecott, which sits perched at the edge of the Kennecott Glacier, deep in the wilds of the Wrangell/St. Elias state park. This is the largest State Park in the US, and covers an area more than three times the size of Yellowstone, exactly 8,323,148 acres. The park-preserve includes the continent's largest assemblage of glaciers and the greatest collection of peaks above 16,000 feet, including Mount Saint Elias. At 18,008 feet, it is the second highest peak in the United States. Upon arrival at the Chitina Airstrip, I met my pilot and was off.

The little white, yellow and red plane had 6 tightly fitted seats, including those for the pilot and the co-pilot seat. There were 3 passengers, including myself, and our pilot Martin, who let me sit next to him in the co-pilot chair. It was incredible. Unfortunately, as tightly packed as we were in the plane, I was unable to get out my camera and take the pictures that I wanted to take. Those images will just have to live on in my mind.

Upon landing at the McCarthy Airstrip, just a few miles from Kennecott, the largely overcast sky opened up and the sun peaked through, blanketing the land with a warm glow.

I arrived at Kennecott Glacier Lodge, just before 7pm. Dinner was served family style promptly at 7, so I tossed my bags in my small, but well appointed room and headed down to the dining room. I found my name beside my seat, sat down...and finally breathed. Dinner was spectacular, as well as the dinner company. But beyond the loveliness of the evening, the towering, creaking buildings left over from the copper mine that was once here, could bring chills down your spine. Long weathered by almost 100 years of crippling snow, devastating floods and fires, they are finally being restored so that their history can be seen for years to come.

The next morning, after a fantastic sleep, set to the sound of light rain and the crisp glacial breeze, I got myself ready and went down for an early breakfast. After sufficiently filling myself with eggs, bacon, potatoes and pastry, I decided to hike to the edge of the Glacier, about 2 miles from the lodge. Having had a brief lesson in Bear safety by the girl at the front desk, I was on my way with my camera and a can of Bear Spray. I made it about 1 1/2 miles, but stopped dead in my tracks when I saw fresh droppings, fresh bear tracks and heard rustling in the near brush. Needless to say, I turned around and headed swiftly back to the lodge.

I left Kennecott around 130pm and re-met my pilot for the journey back to my car. The flight, along with the first one, took me within a few hundred feet of sprawling light blue glaciers and snow covered, rocky peaks. In a word, I was speechless.

I got in my car...looking back on the amazement of the last 2 days, and reluctantly headed back to Anchorage. Let's see what tomorrow brings...