Lake Tahoe - Emerald Bay - DL Bliss State Park

We drove 100 miles to Lake Tahoe On our drive, we listened to a book on cd, and television theme classics like "Gilligan's Island," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Addamms Family," "The Brady Bunch" and others.

We arrived around 10 am and took a pleasant hike at Rainbow Trail by one of the visitor's centers. By 11 am, we ate lunch then started our extreme hike up Bay View trail, stopped at Granite Lake, continued upwards, zig-zagging to the ridge of "Maggie Peaks" and then we circled back down towards Eagle Lake. This enduring trek took an estimated, four earned, painful but enjoyable, scenic hours of our precious time.

We encountered chirping jays and ravenous chipmunks. At Granite Lake, I caught two baby fry. Probably trout about 2 inches long. I brought them home and placed the one that survived inside a fish bowl. I prayed to see a baby bear but the only bears we encountered were the wooden bear sculptures at a local store; we also purchased post cards w/ pics of bears on them.

At the end of the trail, we discovered that the 4 hour loop found us at a different parking lot. We had to walk UP the road just over a mile to get back to the origin of our excursion.

Our feet achy but our minds determined, we then took a short northerly drive to DL Bliss State Park and drove straight to Lester Beach. Jen and I began arguing about where we should go swimming. (Lester Beach or Calawee Cove.)

It was getting late and I simply wanted to jump in the water. Got back in the car and drove about 1/2 a mile to Calawee Cove.(where the woman wanted to go) We parked and walked a steep flight to the cold abyss.

By this time, I was a bit hungry and frustrated; feeling a bit upset because I wanted to be inside the water before the sun went down. Finally, minutes past 6pm , I let go of my pride and simply jumped in the lake.

I snorkled at Calawee Cove. The water was cold at first but a sudden plunge into the clear, fresh water found me wanting more. Cooling me down was good for me. The temperature was probably in the high 80's and the wind presented a cool breeze.

Jen spotted a couple of crayfish, which I wanted to pull out of the water for her but they managed to crawl under a rock. The water was clear enough that I actually spotted a second creepy water crawler. I had no intention of grabbing them w/ my hands. The thought of getting nabbed by one of those crusty critters was no joke in my mind.

We started back home shortly after 7. We stopped at "El Papagayo" restaurant outside of SLTahoe. I was not impressed w/ the burrito I had. I ordered the carnitas burrito, but I got a burrito stuffed w/ beans, rice and a couple of small chunks of carnitas. We took it to go, so unfortunaltely I could not return it. I was unhappy about this. DO NOT EAT AT THIS OVER PRICED MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANT. You know you're asking for a bad burrito when a white kid is working the grill.

I pulled over so that I could eat this burrito at Echo Summit and accidentaly tipped over the plastic water bottle where we carried the small fry. Jen hurriedly picked him off the carpet and tossed it back inside the bottle. This is when we figured out that one of the little guys had made the move to small fry heaven.

To help me stay awake, I pulled over to get a diet pepsi and Jen sang along some music. Entering Sac County, Jen put on some 80's classics and we sang along Christopher Cross's, Sailing, we listened to "Upside Down" "Celebration," and "Jessie's Girl."

We had a great time; hiked way more that I had planned, but we made it ok. Both survived the long, hot trek and managed to keep a safe distance from the abundant, small, savage, crazy chipmunks.

We arrived home around 10pm. Oreo and Mocha went crazy as soon as we allowed them inside the house. We did not take them w/ us to the lake. They spent all day in the backyard.

All in all. Our "daycation" to the God's country was more than worth the time and definately one we hope to repeat asap. Next time, however, we want to tag some camping to the excursion. I have begun the checklist.

I need to get to bed...

Dog fight

yeah. so we take Oreo and Mocha to the dog park over on Power Inn, behind the courthouse, and all is well until one minor incident happens. Oreo is usually not the instigator, but he does not back down. Not until I step in, of course.

There was this black dog there, Bill (a retriever); he was getting a bit feisty, Canela a brown, short skin, slender, mid-size bitch was put on her place by Oreo. Luckily, it only lasted a second or two.

Both dog owners, Bill's and Canela's took their dogs out of the dog park. We continued inside the park. We arrived around 5pm. The temperature was 100 degrees.

Oreo and Mocha were acting well. Another dog arrives at the park; Jen was playing w Oreo and this other dog. The dogs must have spotted a treat of some sort and what started out as a small quarrel turned into a full blown animal brawl. Oreo does not let down, not until I run up to him and kick him off the other dog. About the same size. Some kind of German Shepherd mix, but more of a mid-size in stature.

yeah. It was 35 minutes past 5 pm. Jen and I decided that it was our que to take the dogs home.

Albert assisted me at work today. He helped me load debris into the back of the pickup. By 12:30 pm, Jen, Albert and I were at the theatre watching "G.I. Joe."

Time flies...

whether or not you're having fun. Not much going on here that's newsworthy. We were without internet in our house for over a week-tough times! But thankfully we are up and running again. I just got home from visiting mom in Turlock. My dad is driving Grandpa back from Arkansas. Lucio is at work. Oreo and Mocha are passed out on the living room floor. Summer vacation and being lazy are coming to an end. School starts in 2 weeks! yikes! I'm already getting stressed.