FJ60Cam an' Fam Get High AF

[FJ60Cam]

5:03 AM

At this point it is mathematically impossible to make our flight. The flight would be boarding as we pulled into the parking garage. Then we would still have make the trek to the check-in, navigate the security BS, and still take the long hike to the gate.

USA Today recommends arriving at the airport two hours before a domestic flight if you have checked luggage. We will have roughly 20 minutes.

Ignoring all of this, we mash the motor and speed toward the airport.

 

[FJ60Cam]

We park, run to the entrance and begin the electronic check-in process. As we scan our boarding passes, an auto-alert scolds us of our lateness and says that we must see an attendant to proceed.

Another line. More precious time.

The attendant again scolds is and asks if we want to try and make our flight, since they’ve already begun boarding. Even if we make it, they can’t guarantee our bags will.

We do the mental calculations of all of the possible scenarios of us making it/bags not, bags making it/us not making it, and decide to go for it.

He slaps on a late tag and we go stand in the now very long TSA line.

Ugh.

 

[FJ60Cam]

The TSA line wrapped around the building, and when we finally made it through, they decided that my son looked like a terrorist and required a full bag dissection and inspection.

Despite all of this, we warped time and made it to the plane just as they were shutting the doors. Our bags even made it too.

:breathes huge sigh of relief:

 

[FJ60Cam]

After a brief plane swap in Houston, we landed in Oakland, where we picked up a rental car to drive to Lake Tahoe.

Valley Hybrids was on the way, and Georg was in the shop for a few hours that Saturday morning, so we stopped in to say hi, and to get our rental Camry prepped for the abuse in store (hint: off-road, sand driving, water crossings ahead).

 

[FJ60Cam]

For the next stretch we ignored Google’s directions and instead used the Georgle Maps app. This had us take the more relaxed, scenic, two-lane 88 vs I-5 and the interstate-like 50.

Just outside of Stockton, we stopped for lunch in Waterloo per Georgle’s recommendation.

With full bellies, bodies & luggage all where they needed to be, we finally felt like we were on vacation and could relax

 

[Ol Yeller]

 

[FJ60Cam]

In Amador County, the Central Valley gives way to rolling hills and later the hills give way to bigger hills and finally to mountains.

The elevation signs keep climbing... 3000’, 4000’....6000’, 7000’...

We are so excited we have to pull over and do handstands...

 

[FJ60Cam]

We finally reach South Lake Tahoe and go find our Airbnb. We’re about a ten minute walk to the water, so we head straight there...

 

[FJ60Cam]

On the way back from a quick supply run, we were treated to a spectacular sunset over the lake...

Cheers!

 

[FJ60Cam]

Our Airbnb didn’t have air conditioning, but we didn’t need it. If you open the windows at night, it gets plenty cold inside.

Our bed was right next to a sliding balcony door. We had 45 degree air blowing in, and covers meant for Tahoe winters. Best sleep ever!

As soon as the sun comes out, the chill burns off and it becomes quite comfortable outside. The next morning (Father’s Day) we had breakfast on the upper balcony to fuel up for the day’s adventures.

 

[FJ60Cam]

@spressomon and girlfriend drove over from Carson City in his mobile espresso rig her Toyota Corolla to guide us on a hike around Lower Echo Lake, about 20 minutes outside of town on Highway 50.

If you haven't heard, the Sierra had quite a bit of snow this year and is a month or so late having it melt away. The Rubithon, which is basically at Lake Tahoe and was supposed to be the week after we were there, had to be rescheduled for later in the summer due to the snow.

The shady side of the parking lot gives you an idea...

The trail is on the sunny side of Lower Echo Lake, and except for a few snow covered stretches, is clear and dry.

Our guide for the day:

The scenery is absolutely mind blowing...

 

[FJ60Cam]

The kids are loving all the granite. They take off like monkeys up the granite slabs and boulders on the side of the trail...

 

[FJ60Cam]

You can see a few of the newer ones here - the lake is ringed with cabins, which are only accessible by boat (some could be hiked to). That would be amazing to have such a place.

 

[FJ60Cam]

The trail is an out & back along one side, and we stop at the granite slabs on the western end.

And of course do more climbing and hand stands...

If the 8000' elevation leaves you winded, there is a water taxi in the building behind us that operates in the summer season...

 

[FJ60Cam]

The kids need food and the adults need a beer, so we head back.

Still can't get over all the cool stuff we're seeing...

 

[FJ60Cam]

If you want the full 360-degree experience, I took a Google street view:

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

www.google.com

 

[FJ60Cam]

Back at the beginning of the trail, if you walk up to the top and look the other way, you can see Lake Tahoe off in the distance...

 

[FJ60Cam]

Cheers!

 

[FJ60Cam]

After a brief siesta, we drove around the lake and stopped at Emerald Bay.

There’s an island in the middle, and if you zoom in there’s a rock house on the very top of it. The house was built to serve high tea to guests by the owner of Vikingsholm, a Scandinavian castle, in the late 1920s when the bay was privately owned. Vikingsholm – Tahoe's Hidden Castle

Emerald Bay seems huge in person, but scale is important. It’s merely a tiny beautiful speck on the huge lake...

 

[Ol Yeller]

. Vikingsholm – Tahoe's Hidden Castle

Interesting, quite the lifestyle back then!