San FranCelia

Another weekend, another chance to explore lovely Northern California.  This weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to my friend Jennie’s wedding and so therefore, for the first time, was able to visit the city of Graeagle.  It’s about an hour and a half north west of Lake Tahoe, and so, like Tahoe City, has a beautiful landscape of pine trees and red dirt.  Graeagle itself looks like a throwback to an

old 1950s vacation town.  There are these quaint red cabins in a neat row along the mile and a half main drag, and beautiful views of Salmon Lake, to name a few highlights.  The day we arrived, there was an art festival happening on their main street, which just added to the hometown charm.   I found out later that my aunt showed her work there years and years ago, creating a fun connection to the little ‘nowheresville’ city.     

The wedding was incredible, partly due to the wonderful location.  She had it at Two Rivers Resort and Lodge, and while it becomes a soccer camp for kids at various times throughout the year, for weddings, it transforms itself into a fantastic venue, showcasing beautiful views of a river and the steep hillside pines.  The bride walked down the steps and

 arrived on a decked ledge that gave a glimpse across a valley green and brown with the season.  The hors d’oevres laden cocktail and reception areas gave equally great views and ambiance, giving such a sense of serenity – perfect wedding spot.  The only sign of the soccer camp, in fact, was simply the cute British soccer instructors that doubled as the evening’s servers.  That just added to the fun and relaxed vibe of the evening, as you would never have known they haven’t been doing this for years. 

This small city was such a treat to visit.  Nostalgic but new, I can’t imagine her wedding being anything but perfect in such a locale.  Congrats to you, Jen!

Peace and love Xo

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The American River is another hot summer spot that’s close enough to the Bay to make it the perfect weekend excursion.  We headed to the American River Resort – and don’t let the name fool you… we camped… again.  They do have cabins, but it’s not quite ‘resort’ status I would say.  I definitely had one of the most fun weekends I’ve had in awhile, so what’s in a name anyway, I say.  This part of

the American River is perfect for not only camping, but also rafting and sun bathing.  I know it’s not PC to encourage lounging out in the sun, but damn it feels nice!  It doesn’t feel like summer without that familiar Banana Boat Sunscreen smell (see, use Sunscreen.  PC cred. = achieved!)  The River, while fast (class 3, in fact) at times, has shallow pools sprinkled throughout, making it perfect for river-centric activities of all kinds.  Tanning was on the agenda to start – sun like this is different from our sun here in the City, making the wearing of a bikini all day without thought of a cover-up completely possible.  Nice.  

The view in this part of California is like something out of an old John Wayne film – you can still see gold in the banks of the river, making those old Gold Rush stories come to life.  The steep golden brown hills, vast boulders, and patches of forest green Oak trees are so peaceful, yet powerful from their extreme history.  One length of the riverbank has a trail still standing from the 1800s that is made from the mountain of rocks above. 

Wanting to see this beauty first hand, we decided to go river rafting with River Otter Adventures.  For $70, you get an experienced guide showing you breathtaking beauty for 4 hours, all while raising your adrenaline level.  What a pairing.  Completely worth every penny, and you get a picture to top it off if you want.

I have become quite the camping connoisseur these days, and I find that it actually is more fun than you would think (well maybe not you, but me definitely).  It’s surprisingly easy to be dirty and ok with the fact that you smell worse than the animals that live just outside the campsite area.  Who would have thought?  And if you add in water activities, it’s almost like bathing, right?!  I’ve certainly come to think so, at least during the summertime. 

Peace and love Xo

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Happy 4^th of July everyone (even if it’s slightly in the past)! One of the best parts and reason to live in San Francisco is it’s close proximity to everything wonderful.  California is lucky enough to have some of the most beautiful and complex climates in the world, and from San Francisco, all are within about a 3 hour away radius; dry deserts, mountains full of fluffy snow and fresh water lakes, and beaches so unbelievably gorgeous, it’s like you’re in another space and time.  For the 4^th this year, we went up to Lake Tahoe, and for anyone who hasn’t been, all I can say is go.  No matter what, go.  This stunning fresh water lake is home to several charming small towns that are picturesque, and for the 4^th of July, it explodes with people.  You’ll want to make sure you get your cabin early, and even if you camp, which we did, you’ll want to call early to get a site near the Lake’s waterfront. 

The weather was perfect, around 85 degrees with a slight breeze.  We left early Friday, and headed straight to the Truckee River.  I purchased River Rat large inner tubes before we ever left the City, and that turned out to be the easiest way to simply get there and go.  If you go about four miles up the river past River Ranch Lodge Bar and Grill, there are several gas stations dedicated to raft filling and are across the street from the river entrance point.  For the next 3 – 4 hours, you can float down the sometimes slow, sometimes fast moving river.  With outside temperatures reaching the 90s, you couldn’t ask for a better view or feel.  A helpful tip is buying a tube

with a mesh bottom so you can throw in your water shoes (helps you avoid the ever popular “water sock tan”), zip lock baggy for money/keys, etc, and of course your beverage of choice.  Avoid cans, as those are frowned upon by the rangers.  After your trek down, you’ll end up at River Ranch and can order food and more adult beverages – it’s a really fun, casual, and lively spot. 

Next day we headed to the Lakefront at King’s Beach.  What a great spot for all of those who stay on the North Shore.  On the 4^th, there was a great little street fair where you could purchase American flags, tie dye clothes, and dream catchers.  Make sure when you go you get a big spot so you can set up games, coolers, etc.  We were lucky enough to get there early, so everyone could set up their belongings and a corn-hole game board.  As I looked out over the waterfront, the view took my breathe away – snowy mountain peaks in full view with a massive expanse of blue as the Lake spreads out in front of you.  It’s kind of surreal looking at snowy peaks while you are swimming in 90 degree weather.  Nowhere else on Earth is like it, I’m sure of that.  The entire beach was full of people celebrating and having fun, and everyone was relaxed, which makes it a perfect vacation spot.  A lot of San Francisco locals head up to Tahoe for the holiday, so we even met up with friends that were in town.  You are allowed to bring all sorts of food and drinks on the beach (except glass), so it’s the perfect cheap way to spend a holiday.  Many people come up for just the day and then leave, so really, it can be as cheap as gas and food/drinks.  How lucky are we that this is our cheap getaway destination! 

I definitely recommend heading to Lake Tahoe at least once over the Bay Area summer.  As Mark Twain famously said, the coldest winter you can spend may very well be a summer in San Francisco, so this short drive to hot days and cool lake breezes is a definite must.

Peace and love

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