Well since we are trying to acclimate ourselves to a three hour difference in the time(you know how difficult it is when we just go from the one hour change). My body had me up around 3:30 local which is 6:30 Florida time. I did okay for the day as the breathtaking scenery had you charged and of course we were on the go to so many different venues as well. It was a little chilly to start the day with temps much like the cabin in N.C. It did warm up considerably by the late afternoon to where it felt good to be in the shade.
We had our coffee's, teas and protein drinks and ate lite for breakfast with fresh fruit and muffins. We were on our electronic devices as each of us now have one. The ipad and my laptop works fine out here with the wifi so we were in communicate with all back home through e-mail and or Facebook. We were sadden to learn and old friend and fellow Virginian passed away whom we had know through our old church in Seminole. Our condolences to the Kirby Rock Family.
We loaded up the van with Patrick and Kathryn doing a magnificent job as tour director and driver as we learned they have been coming to this area for the passed 20 plus years. We headed up to Squaw Valley which is just a few minutes ride and of course we were on the lookout for bears which are indigenous to the area. It seems each business and house has this large box that locks to hold the garbage in which keeps the bears out. Kathryn saw one in this yard a few years back as they forage for food. I must say it been a few years since I've seen such rugged country as it around this place where the 1960 Winter Olympics were held. Yeow is all I can say and I for one would never attempt to slide down those mountains on a board on each foot. The Tracy's are expert skiers as well are their son and daughter. We watched the gondola travel up the steep sloop on the tram that takes it to the top of the mountain somewhere around 11,500 feet up and we may give it a try sometime later in the next two weeks. We want to ride bikes here as the trails are awesome and most of them are on somewhat level ground in the valley. Everyone is either riding bikes, jogging or out walking.
We decided to try a restaurant on the lake for lunch. This is now the off season so lots of places are somewhat shut down for the winter as school is back in session and many of the cabins are closed for the winter. This restaurant was only open for outside seating which was spectacular with the view of the lake as well as the quality of the food. It was a bit pricey as Nancy and I split our entree as it was a 20 buck burger and fries. We had a nice server and the manager came by and commented about the Ray's shirt I was wearing as well as photo bombed one picture. His name fitted him perfectly as "muggy". Everyone enjoyed the food and the ambiance.
We checked on the paddle boat ride and then put our hands in the lake, I must say this lake is the clearest, coolest and cleanest I've ever seen. It's 22 miles in length and the scenery was awesome with the huge pines and bluffs along the way; but it is rocky. I meant rocks of all sizes and so smooth it almost like they were milled they were so smooth. In the yards there are huge rocks everywhere and they use these rocks for wall retention as well and even build some houses out of them.
We ventured up to another ski village and found a food and wine fair was happening. We saw lots of folk art, paintings, jewelry displayed and some silk dancers performing and the head chef for Smokey Bones was doing a smoked meat seminar and he even passed out samples at the end. He mentioned an eatery he was associated with in Tampa as well. After an hour or so we headed to the old town of Truckee and there was also a street fair happening. We let the girls off to walk and shop the vendors as we men headed back to the cabin to watch college football. We chilled for an hour or more while they shopped and then Patrick headed out to retrieve them which was just a few minutes away.
We dined on chicken enchiladas, re-fried beans, yellow rice with salsas and guacamole while sitting outside on the deck. The air was crisp and cool in the 60's as we sat under a huge umbrella. The only draw back was the time as it was after 7'ish when we sat down to eat and that meant it was after 10 at home, oh well!! Just about the time we get use to this time change we will be heading back to Florida. Such is half the fun being on vacation.
Well the day was filled with lots of adventure, great eating and some good college football with a couple close games no one predicted. We were fast sliding into the worn out mode due to the lack of sleep so we hit the showers and got ready for bed, LATER
