A Place You Must Go At Least Once

Sand Harbor, North Lake Tahoe- July 30, 2013

We decided it was time for another little vacation but couldn't go too far, on account of class for me and work for him. Lucky for us, we live close enough to some beautiful places that leaving at 9 pm after our long days of schooling and work isn't a problem! The only problem was being restless all day wanting to be off and on our way to Lake Tahoe. A quick (for us) 3 hour drive and we arrived at Cal Neva.

Cal Neva holds some significance in my heart considering that my parents got married here. While looking at places to stay my mom discreetly mentioned this little fact, so obviously I had to stay there. My curiosity usually gets the best of me. I have stayed here before when I was little, but who remembers much of anything when they are young? I don't, I can tell you that. Surprisingly though, once we arrived and I saw these totem poles and fountain in the front I was brought back to when I was little and my mom took us here. Funny how that happens. It's always a weird feeling, and for me it was both happy and sad. 

Here she is! Looking as beautiful as ever on her wedding day next to her lovely mom (my grandma girl). July 11, 1987.

And my dad. Looking quite ecstatic on his wedding day. I love that smile.

Again, this picture leaves me feeling happy and sad.

It's weird to think that she stood here, in her wedding dress, and years later her 23 year old daughter would peek through those same glass windows to see where her mom got married. 

Then:

And now: 

What a difference. I don't think they even use this room for anything but storage now. What a shame that is, considering that at one point this room was used for some's greatest memories. 

My mom and dad had the rare privilege of meeting at just fifteen years old, falling in love, and getting married at the age of 25. Even with their many devastating ups and downs I can take comfort in the fact that he loved her until the day he died. And that counts for a lot, in my book.

Back to the present day!

We had one full day here and we made the most of it, as we usually do. Breakfast at The Log Cabin Cafe was a delicious way to start our adventure. He had gone here last year and raved about this breakfast spot ever since. Separately, my mom told me "There's a really good breakfast place you guys should go to at least once!" and it turns out it was the same place! My hopes and expectations were sky high at this point, and I must admit I was not disappointed. 

We sat outside, for obvious reasons, and frankly I don't understand why anyone would sit inside! The views and the smells are too good to be surrounded by walls here. And how cute is this little ice cream shop view from our table? I wish I could have had ice cream after my breakfast, just for the hell of it, but I decided not to be a complete glutton that day. 

And it was seen on the Rachel Ray show?! That's how you know it's amazing. 

Again, why would anyone sit inside? I wish I could be surrounded by these trees while I enjoyed my breakfast, and much needed coffee, everyday. Too good of an atmosphere to pass up. 

Even that tree is smiling.

Even the ketchup bottles here are much cooler than any I've seen. A tomato wearing sunglasses? Cool.

Mine. With "real" maple syrup. 

And his. With every ingredient in the scramble, which is the only sane way to eat a scramble.

(These calories were much needed later, little did we know)

This cafe even has a mini golf course across the street. And it's not just any mini golf course, it is a special one. Where you can pick from the cutest golf balls around and each game is a different theme. Not to mention harder than any little golf course I've been to. It makes for a fun time.

I picked a giraffe golf ball, for obvious reasons. And I mayyyy have taken a giraffe ball souvenir. 

Here, the atmosphere is too good to pass up as well. A 30-40 minutes truly well spent. 

I thought this one was fun/cute. Bowling and mini golf mixed together?! Yes, please.

Okay, so lets get to the part where that high calorie intake breakfast turned out to be much needed. 

We get to sand harbor around, ehh, 1 o'clock, maybe 2 (we're late risers, I can't help it) and the parking lot is full, and therefore, closed. Well, crap. Now what? 

We keep driving along the highway for what seems like a fairly short distance and decide to park alongside the road and walk. Instead of walking against the traffic, where we could possibly be killed, we decide to climb over the guard rail and hike down to the water. After getting scratched up by multiple bushes, we make it down to the water, where it is breathtakingly beautiful. But look over to that little sand area in the top right. That was our destination. And it was much further than anticipated. 

So we began to literally rock hike, with the occasional rock climb. This is where I became exceedingly thankful for my love of fatty breakfast food. Those calories didn't let me down!

Alone, miles away from shore, with only seagulls to keep us company. 

And the lucky people relaxing in their kayaks -_-

Getting closer! 

Ahh, and this is what made it worth it. Look at that water! For a second I felt like I was in the Bahamas.

I love this view. And I loved this little adventure/work out. I wish I could do it everyday! (But then I might get tired, or end up with that broken ankle.)

And this little rock boss cave man led the perfect way and was the perfect person to put all my weight on when I needed help. 

Because walking across perfectly placed tree stumps isn't the easiest of things to do. 

Not to mention I was wearing water shoes. Which I was happy about because I almost had to tread this path wearing only flip flops! Thank god I keep water shoes in my trunk! Which sounds weird, I know, but they come in handy.

We made it! Laying down, with this view, was heavenly.

And this view in the back? Psh. Can I become a beach bum now and reside in Sand Harbor during the summer? Then I'll just mosey my way down to San Diego for the winters.

No relaxing vacation is complete without a drink!

And a drink we got. Yum!

Just like the ketchup bottle, I also appreciate these little bear tray holders. Stop being so cute, Tahoe! I never want to leave.

And the best adventure of all the day's adventures!? Paddle boarding and kayaking over clear, bright, blue water.

It was his first time paddle boarding and he had to work his butt off!

While I lounged in my kayak. 

It was very fun to watch him and take in the surrounding views.

<3

After kayaking and paddle boarding for miles, suffering from blisters, exhaustion, and sore arms/legs from the day, we returned our stuff and realized we had to walk back to our car. Crap.

Not to mention we didn't have a beach bag or anything, because I am a terrible excuse for a girl. What girl doesn't bring a beach bag?! Luckily, I am in the company of a genius and we picked up this bag outside of a dumpster on the way. Because when you're tired, who cares. It worked splendidly and we made it back to the car alive! (After getting honked at a few times and me almost turning into a tired cranky butt.)

The views, the smells, the food, the drinks, the cardio, the company. 

Life is good. 

Losing a Best Friend

Poopseph 

When I was 8 years old, my dad brought home this little poofball of pure love. My sister and I got to name him, so we called him Boomer, after a little dog we had met at a local pet store. Now, I forget his name was ever Boomer because he had the world's longest list of nicknames; Booseph, Poo Bear, Poops, Monkey, Boozie, Boo, Poo, you name it. If it had Poop in it, we probably called him that. My favorite of the bunch was Poopseph. So, to me, that was his real name. And you had to say it with just the right amount of lisp or it just wasn't right. 

I have many hideous, awkward stage, pictures with my Poopseph. I mean, 8 years old feels like another lifetime ago, and it basically was. He went through his awkward haircuts as well, but he was always a cutie. I even had him when I thought having a comb over for bangs and making this face was cute. And he still loved me. A lot.

Who else would let my sister and I put extensions in their hair and give them an alfalfa do?

Poopseph was my absolute muse, clearly. I had an abundant amount of Poo pictures (there are never too many), all of which I believe to capture the cutest thing in the world. 

Scraggle muffin cutie.

<3

Or the silliest thing in the world. Maybe Poopseph was an alien, using his outer space tricks to capture our hearts forever and make us unable to deny him cheese. 

I love this picture, and all its silliness, for obvious reasons.

How could you be mad at this face? This was immediately after I caught him going through my trash can. And all I could really do was laugh and pull out my phone for a picture. 

Snuggled up after a seemingly traumatizing bath. 

Poopseph in all his "swag" glory. He just reminds me of a rapper in this picture. I don't know why, but it makes me laugh.

Oh, and he could talk too. My mom was telling him a story here and I caught his OMG reaction. I wish I could remember the story now, but that's not the point. 

Poo Bear was my mom's absolute favorite friend. And her hurting now hurts me too. I have been wanting her to get a new dog, to make her feel better, but she was adamant about waiting because it just wouldn't be the same. So then I was desperately wanting to get my own dog with my boyfriend, and we even put a deposit on one. We decided it wasn't the right time, with our busy schedules and lack of a backyard, so after losing our TWO HUNDRED dollar deposit (ouch) we decided on maybe getting a kitty baby instead. And I am glad, because Poopseph isn't replaceable. So chances are, after clinging onto the thought of a new dog, I would get it and still be sad about losing my childhood dog. (Duh! Silly me.) 

He was more than a dog to her. He was like her little son. Which made him my little furry brother. On top of my own sadness, my heart breaks for her because I know how hard it was, and is, on her. It must feel strange to not have another living creature always at your feet and acting as your shadow.

:P

Who is going to help me study now? I just can't do it without someone laying on top of my books and papers. Seeing the entire book is overrated. 

Or try their best to steal cheetos from me, again while I'm trying to study?

Or give me this look while I'm eating my bread bowls? 

Or go on night time rides with my mom and I just because? Looking like the most adorable passenger ever.

Who is going to answer my phone for me when it's someone I don't want to talk to now?

And who the hell am I going to make these wonderful works of art on!?

And I know nobody will stick their tongue out at me when I'm in the wrong now. Nobody. 

Poopseph completed our little trio of women. He was our main man, and only man, for so long! I literally do not remember a life before him, which pains me everyday when I come to the sad realization of what I never wanted to be true; not having him. I heard a quote somewhere that I loved, "One life is enough for anyone. But there are so many lives within that life" and I totally agree. 

Why have we not come up with some solution to make dogs live forever?! I want Poo in every life within my life, dammit. If I win the lottery one day, I will try to make this happen.

These are some of the last pictures I have with our best friend. I must say I am happy he hung in long enough to see me graduate from Davis. He was with his girls through so many life events and I consider myself lucky we got to add another one to the list. 

I like to think my Poopseph is happy now, doing all the laying, playing outside, and eating cheese/cheetos his little heart desires. Although we are now in pain even being in this same apartment with so many memories, I am glad he isn't in pain anymore. I would take the sadness over his physical pain any day. I have lost many things, and I must admit losing Poo is one of the hardest things I have had to do. It may seem silly, but having a companion for 15 years, and losing it in a matter of a week, is tough. After all, a dog truly is a man's best friend.