Sunday, February 20, 2022

Lake Tahoe

My friend Henry has a passion for snow boarding. I dropped enough hints I wanted to visit Tahoe that he offered to be my tour guide. It is a four hour drive from San Jose which feels very similar to a “trip to the north shore” while in Minnesota. 



I picked up some boots from Salvation Army and borrowed winter wear from a friend. It had been nearly a year since I had seen snow and confirmed I did not miss it one bit. But Lake Tahoe…beautiful. Breathtaking really. When I first saw it I said “is that a photo”? 













I convinced Henry I’m no fun pretending to be athletic so he stopped asking if I would snow board. But I rode with him to the top of Palisades Tahoe so I could visit the Olympic Museum, which is where the 1960 Olympics were held. 













That evening we returned for the sunset tram at the resort which was spectacular! 





We stayed at an Airbnb in Alpine, near Tahoe City, which has a small town feel. On Sunday we drove to South Lake Tahoe stopping along the way to take in the view. 



The two areas are very different. South Lake Tahoe is a bit more big city and bougie. If I were to return, it would be near Tahoe City. 

Lake Tahoe is split between California and Nevada. It was fun to stand by this state line. I cannot believe I live here. I pinch myself almost daily. 



Another great “staycation” in my home state. 

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Santa Barbara

My friend Michelle asked if I wanted to fly to Santa Barbara for the weekend to celebrate her friend’s birthday. I didn’t hesitate, grabbed my best friend Briggs & Riley, jumped on a plane, and made a new friend. It was so good to be on a plane and fun to experience a sunset landing! 






When I met Theresa I knew it was going to be a good weekend. We had a delicious Italian dinner on a patio filled with sparkling lights, which transported my wanderlust brain to France.





Saturday we started with Llama toast and live music in Carpinteria and a wine tasting in Summerland. 







As we walked around shopping they served us a glass of rose’. So bougie. The weather was absolutely perfect! 



We drove to Santa Barbara for lunch (where I found Girl Scout cookies!) and we visited the beautiful courthouse and Mission. 







We returned home in time to enjoy some wine while watching a beautiful sunset and later that night returned to Santa Barbara for a lovely meal followed by great music and dancing at the piano bar.









Sunday we started the day with bloodies on the beach and then to a bar to watch the Super Bowl. Oddly, I have no photos from that. Not. 





It was a fun filled 48 hours! It is so easy to get away for a short weekend while living in San Jose. I love it!