Road Trip - Lake Tahoe

We headed to Lake Tahoe for some COLD water adventuring. We pumped up the paddle boards and went exploring. The water was really cold, but tolerable if we were just on top of the waves. It felt good to be back on the beach, in the warm sun, sand in every crevice. 

We paddled to a little private beach and spent the morning "saving" ladybugs. It was super fun, and secluded, but then we found out we were on private property, so we left. Whoops!

Back to the public beach, they found some little crawdads, more ladybugs, sand castles and snacks. 

Back to the campsite to make s'mores and some dinner. There are bears in the area, so we had to be careful to pack up every scrap of food before we went to sleep.  The trees were super tall, and the campsite felt very secluded, although there were lots more campsites close by.

Good night!

Good morning!

We did a hike to see Cascade Falls, and it had such great views! We collected pinecones, ate snacks, and caught butterflies. So fun. 

The closer lake is Fallen Leaf Lake, the further lake is Lake Tahoe. So lovely, huh?

Paul, Lullaby, Solace, and Hawk played in the river at the top of the falls, and Matix and I hiked down below the river to see the falls. It was HUGE and so steep.

At some point, while Matix and I were sitting and watching the water pour over the edge, and talking about Grandpa Chuck, a butterfly came and circled around us, and then landed on Matix. It happened over and over again. Every time it would leave, we thought it wouldn't come back, but it did. It landed on me a few times too. So wild! I've never had that happen before. Matix was convinced it was somehow Grandpa sending us a message.

When Matix and I hiked back up to the top, to play in the river with Paul and the other kids, the butterfly stayed with Matix. Fluttering around him as we hiked, then it landed on the other kids and Paul, and flew away. What a strange and lovely experience. 

It was such a nice day and a nice hike.

Another beach day on lake Tahoe. The water was so cold, the kids barely got in, but we built lots of  sand castles and dams. So nice to be on a beach, even a lake beach.

After leaving Lake Tahoe, we stopped in Sacramento to see Paul's uncle Sterling. He treated us all to a giant feast of a dinner at The Spaghetti Factory. Thanks Sterling! It was so nice to catch up and hang out with him. He's really good company. 

Then to a hotel just outside of Sacramento for just one night.