Last week my parents flew in from mid-Missouri to spend quality time with my California family. Little did we know that this relaxing vacation would be filled with not only fun memories of grand adventures explored… but also a wicked tummy bug that was hit by all (except me!).
We arrived in South Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side Sunday afternoon. We stayed at Tahoe Summit Village. It was a quaint resort and accommodated our needs just fine. However, the only complaint we had is that there was a massive number of stairs to climb to our third story room. No elevator. No ramp. Just stairs. The elevation was 9,000+ and everyone (myself included) was gasping at each landing.
Yes, those stairs go STRAIGHT UP! The photo on the left is the beginning stairs (under the blue tarp roof) that leads you up to the first level of rooms. We had two more floors to climb (and carry our bags of clothes and groceries) up and down each trip. It was a workout.
There were 96 steps to climb each UP and 96 steps to climb each DOWN. We counted. It was a workout… even if we weren’t planning on working out, breathing heavy, or sweating… just getting to our room was enough for us!
Shortly after arriving in Tahoe, a tummy bug invaded our vacation. It first hit C Sunday evening (right after eating a yummy dinner at Stateline Brewery). Tuesday evening both P&T were hit (suddenly). My husband got sick Wednesday night. Thursday both my parents came down with the tummy bug. Somehow, thankfully (I do have my guess as to why I stayed healthy – Shakeology) I stayed healthy when everyone else got sick, even though I was amidst it all and cleaning it up.
We made lemonade out of lemons and still decided to make the best of our vacation… amidst the queasy stomachs, puke buckets and more. Ah memories of family vacations!
We enjoyed exploring Nevada Beach and the adjoining camp ground. It was a cool and windy day. We had the entire beach to ourselves. The waves were crashing in and the only visitors on the beach were big geese.
P & T (were healthy at this adventure) got the biggest giggle out chasing the geese off the beach. P proudly proclaimed after the beach was cleared, “This is OUR beach now!”
P & T (who were two peas in a healthy pod) took off their shoes at the beach because they didn’t want sand to get in it. Yet, left their socks on because they didn’t want sand in between their toes. Silly boys.
My handsome husband was my none-the-wiser when I took this photo of him gazing at the mountains, lake, and the boys running like crazy along the beach. This is his happy place. Which makes ME very happy.
We climbed MANY boulders and rocks. In fact, I think the boys would have been happy climbing rocks and exploring new-to-them trails every day. They have no fear of heights, nor dangerous situations. The would climb and peek over the edge (of a very high cliff) and be happy.
On Tuesday, everyone was feeling good and healthy. We explored a trail and went for a 2 mile hike. We climbed more rocks, explored new trails, went on a bear hunt and enjoyed amazing views of Lake Tahoe.
There were melt downs and teasing as always happens when children are not feeling their best and are overtired. The youngest even got in on the torture and took a photo of P having a meltdown.
The best part of the week in Tahoe were the memories and quality time my parents were able to enjoy with my children.
Our last day at the resort, I took photos of our view. On one side we had an amazing view of Carson City, Nevada. On the back side of the resort was a picturesque view of South Lake Tahoe. It was gorgeous.
We arrived back in Sacramento on Thursday. By then the sickness had taken its hold on both of my parents. They were out for the count. We enjoyed a chill day at our house and regrouped for the rest of the vacation.
On Friday we explored the Sacramento capital grounds. It was a laid back day, so not a lot of photos were taken.
Saturday we braved Bay Area traffic and explored San Francisco. We played at Ocean Beach for a while… only for the boys to completely fall in the ocean, covered in sand, completely wet. Thankfully I had an extra change of clean clothes for them in the van (from our puke fest earlier in the week). Silver lining.
We did the touristy thing and visited Pier 39. The boys enjoyed peering through the telescopes (even though I don’t even think they worked… but it kept them entertained for a while).
We watched and giggled at the silly sea lions that lay lazily on the dock. While my husband and I dreamily planned a kid-free trip to the big city and what our next adventure would entail. We would LOVE to take a boat tour of Alcatraz someday.
While at Fisherman’s Warf, we contemplated were to go to dinner on a Saturday night. We wanted to make it something special as my mom’s birthday was the following week.
We wanted something nice yet kid friendly. We decided to eat at Rainforest Café. The boys were amazed and in constant awe at the inside décor of the restaurant.
Although by the time we got our dinner, it was way past their bedtime. They were all falling asleep in the booth and didn’t’ really touch their food.
Shortly after our food arrived, my dad alerted me that our meter was about to run out. I volunteered to take the two little boys (who were falling asleep at the booth) in the double jogger and run to the car and put more money in.
And run I did. I saw the meter maid in front of me. I literally began RUNNING from Pier 39 to Pier 23 (where our car was parked). I arrived to the van moments before the meter maid looked at my van. I put in a quarter and told him I was leaving. He rolled his eyes at me and drove on. I was thankful to have dodged that bullet! I was also thankful for the quick run as my body was craving a good run!
Running Hutch says
HA! to the meter maid man!
Love the photos from tahoe. Guess what – one of my friends was at her family’s cabin in Tahoe this last weekend…AND A BEAR GOT IN AND CHASED THEM AROUND THE CABIN! She posted pictures of claw marks on the wooden doors on FB.
And doesn’t it always suck when sickness comes during vacation and family time? I think you all had a pretty good time regardless. 😀
Yvonne says
Not like you planned .. but it sounded like you made lemonade out of lemons!
Great pix .. family time is the best!!!
Janice - Fitness Cheerleader says
So fun!!! We haven’t been on a family vacation in 6 years. Our 10 year wedding anniversary is next April so we’re hoping to go somewhere in the Spring with the little monkeys – though I’m not sure where we’ll go. Nevada seems like a good idea – that’s where we got married!