Friday, May 23, 2008

Santa Cruz


MAY 19-21
I woke up on a Monday morning and as crazy as it may seem, I felt the urge to get out of Tahoe for a few days. Santa Cruz seemed like a nice enough spot, so I called my friend Katie K., packed up my car and 5 hours later we were at the ocean. We stayed at a campground on Brighton Beach and were lucky enough to find a spot that backed up to the bluffs overlooking the ocean. It was a pricey spot for camping, but well worth it. We were right on the path to the beach, which made it a social spot. Some drunken guys couldn't find their campsite at night and so ended up hanging with us for a bit. You never know how you'll meet new people.

The next day we went to the Boardwalk, which is the last one standing on the West coast. We fell asleep on the beach to people screaming in the background while riding the roller coasters.We looked around the main district where all the shopping is located. It reminded me a lot of Boulder with all the aimless hippies wandering around, the Eastern style stores and variety of ethnic foods. We saw a movie called "Baby Mama" because seeing a flick is always a splurge and ate delicious Indian food before heading back to camp.

We finished up the trip with a delicious breakfast, a glance at some natural bridges, and a cruise up Coastal Hwy 1 where we did a short hike to see some redwoods. We got stuck in traffic in San Francisco, of course, but stopped at IKEA to pass the time before finally getting home. It's the last road trip of the off season (the golf job starts up tomorrow) and it was beautiful. So until the summer adventures, take care of yourselves and thanks for reading!



Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Road Trips!

MAY 12
Jobless and aimless, little mini-excursions have been popping up here and there and I've tried to take advantage of every one of them! Most recently, my friend Katie Kueber and I went on a day trip to the marvelous city of San Francisco. We saw all the typical sights like the Golden Gate Bridge, Height and Ashbury, Fisherman's Wharf, shopping in Union Square, and of course, riding the Cable Cars!!! Oh, and need I mention a visit to Ghirardelli Square for some delicious ice cream. We saw some random stuff like a Spy Shop, a left handed shop, seals fighting at Pier 41 and got on the bus systems for free thanks to our favorite driver, Richard.

MAY 10
The last day of skiing at Squaw has come and
gone with good timing due to the super slushy conditions. You'd just be cruising along and then hit a slush spot where inertia jerks you forward over your boots. There were a few moments where I thought I was going to flip over the front of my skis, but luckily I didn't =0) To conclude the season, there was a Reggae party at the High Camp swimming pool located atop one of the peaks at Squaw. It was a very strange feeling to have just skied all day, change into a swimming suit to go for a dip and lay in the sun, then put ski boots back on to ski to the bottom. I'm very lucky to have access to this kind of fun all the time!!!

MAY 9
Five of us were bored one day and decided to make the 3 hour trip to Bridgeport to sit in some nice hot springs and then head back. It was quite a ways to go for some relaxation, but as you can see from the photo, it was worth it! The springs followed a crack from the ground only to fall over a rock and into some retaining pools, where we had the pleasure to sit and enjoy it. It was weird when the pools would suddenly get hotter due to the change in temps with the springs.
Although you can't see it too well, our view was of a lovely mountain range and I had some charming boys for company...so it goes in Tahoe.

MAY 4-6
Last but not least, another trip to Yosemite!

My roommate Alex moved to Yosemite for a month with her boyfriend Matt, so we decided to give them a friendly visit. It took us a very long time to drive into the park since the pass accessing the shortest approach is still closed. When we did arrive at 1:30 am there was quite a construction scene going on. We begged the workers to let us through, so they moved a ton of equipment and moved us along with a smile and a wave. We had to set up camp quietly and in the dark, so in the morning I decided to cook us a delicious much-needed pancake breakfast.

Since it was Cinco de Mayo, we decided to see "tourist Yosemite" and tool around in the
village and do the paved hikes. I'm amazed at the community that exists in the valley. There's a bus system that's complex enough to require transfers, multiple markets, housekeeping, pizza joints and coffee connections. No one has to rough it around here unless they want to, but it's nice that such beauty is accessible to everybody. We just checked out the lower Yosemite Falls. Pictured are my roommates Alex and Katie with their boyfriends Matt and Brad. They're a rad crew.

The next day the girls went and did their thing while the boys went to rock climb. We hiked from the valley floor to the top of Yosemite Falls. It was quite a butt burner, but the views were stunning. In order to see the falls roll over the cliff, we had to hike out to some rocks down a narrow staircase where the only thing preventing you from a 3,000 ft. drop was a metal rail. That's why we're holding on for dear life. Don't worry mom, it was safe!
So it was a short trip, but a beautiful one. I still have 10 days before starting work, so we'll see what happens next...anything is possible! So keep on truckin' and livin' in the free world. Don't let stress rule your life and keep makin' it happen! xoxo

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Spring = Unemployed: lets get crazy!

Spring is upon us and Squaw Kids is no more! The snow is melting and it's time to bring out the mountain bike, golf clubs and frisbee. The season wrapped up very well having broken our record highs over President's Week. Of course, we had to say goodbye to many employees and friends, including KT the Bear (left), but some folks are sticking around to experience the amazing summers in Tahoe. I'm definitely coming back to Squaw for another season...just can't get enough of those kids (oh yeah, and the beautiful mountain and free pass)! I'll also be working at the golf course again this summer with a whole crew of friends, including Matt, Clay and Eric from my old Kentucky home. But in the meantime, I'm totally enjoying my 3 weeks of unemployment, aka FREEDOM!!!


With the melting of the snow, random little ponds appear that you never knew existed until a huge crowd gathers around one to watch skiers speed down a hill in ridiculous outfits to try and glide across one. This is what we fondly call the Cushing Crossing. Our 2 friends decided a 3-legged ski might win the prize, and it did! They created a slalom ski between them and a normal one on each side and sure enough, they made it down the slope and across the pond: impressive.


And what would Spring be without the Squaw Valley Prom??!! Yes, you're never too old for dressing up and drinking down some good old-fashioned fun. And the best part: it was 80's themed!!!!! Don't be jealous of the dress; you can find one too at your local thrift shop for $12.99. Can you spot 2 of my bosses? Probably not because in Tahoe it doesn't matter your age or position, as long as you're having fun!!

I'm hoping to go on a few road trips before the golf job begins. I'll keep you updated, but until then, enjoy the warming weather, thunder storms and blooming green!