A Breath of Fresh Air

This past week I had the pleasure of staying in one of the most beautiful areas in California & Nevada. Of course that is my opinion. Lake Tahoe is not just one color, but many shades of blues and greens. Not being a professional photographer, I miss the mark big time, in trying to take pictures that remotely show it's beauty. So bear with my feeble attempt at capturing it's full impact. The wild life is abundant, complete with bears. I haven't seen one in the 5 years I've been going there. I plan on that not changing. The chipmunks and squirrels and assorted birds suit me fine!

This week was spent at a lodge with about 100 people, some I've know for a long time and some become new friends. It is a learning time and a playing time. And I don't have to cook or clean up the kitchen. The 3 big meals a day gets walked off a bit. Not enough, but ........

At this same time that we are at one of the lodges, another group of people are close by in another lodge and they always welcome us each year into their world of quilt making. They very kindly gave me permission to take a picture of them. They are so willing to share their beautiful quilts and the assorted projects that they are working on. One lady even allowed me and a friend to help her rearrange some of her pieces. I just knew it would look better with her yellow pieces in the four corners! She seemed to agree, but I didn't go back to see if she changed them back. She was very gracious! Last year I even got a idea for making wrapped bowls from one of the quilters. Quilters are good people!


My attempt at taking 'good' pic's of the lake.

The next picture was in trying to get the many colors of the water.. Not quite successful.

Close up of the sail boat. There is something peaceful to me about sail boats.

On Thursday morning at about 6:45 A.M. I went to get my morning coffee and happened to look out the window to see this incredible moon. I wasn't expecting this and had to go get my camera, forgetting my coffee. A friend said he had read that this was a Harvest Moon and it had been a long time since Tahoe had a Harvest Moon. Don't know it that is true or not, but I liked the idea that it was.

Tried a close-up.

On the same morning, like maybe a hour later, while eating breakfast I thought I saw a blimp. It was too far away to tell and no one else could make it out either. After a few minutes I realized it was a hot air balloon. Now I love hot air balloons, so it was run back to my room for my camera again (yes I should have just kept it with me) and by the time I got back I couldn't see it anymore. Very disappointed........then I happened to see a speck, in a space between tree branches and there it was. Using the close up thingie on my camera I was able to actually get a picture of it. Love my close up thingie.

I took an afternoon, by myself, quiet stroll, with camera in hand. At one of my stop and stares, I noticed that the way the water was moving caused bubbles and I thought it looked so refreshing and peaceful. Hope you can see the bubbles. This is a close up also. It is the little things that make me happy; in this case, moons, hot air balloons and bubbles!

A good swimming area.

I came across this area during my walk and stayed here for a long peaceful time. It would be a great place for a wedding or play. I'm sure that is what it is there for....

These little guys are all over the place and must be really used to us humans in 'their home'. This little one actually walked, well more of a scurry, over to within 2 feet of me and looked at me. I couldn't get a good picture of that since I didn't want to move. But, we had eye contact. He then hopped on this boulder and sat down and looked at me like I was suppose to do something. Can you tell that he is actually sitting on his little bum and holding his tiny hands (paws) together? It was the coolest thing ever.

When he was 'scurrying' toward me, I did for a moment wonder if I should be afraid and then had to giggle, I mean, what could something that tiny do to me!

The next two pictures are taken from a deck at the back of a little store called, "Bear Necessities". The deck has rocking chairs and on this particular afternoon, the store was closed and I had the deck all to myself. I did a whole lot o' rocking and listening to the water and watching the boats and all the critters. Only the lure of food got me off this deck.

And now, back home and to reality. Not sure if I'm ready for that or not. Escaping is good. Think the house cleaning can wait a couple more days. I think crafty sounds much better to do. My friend with whom I shared in this past weeks R & R showed me how to make a necklace out of fancy yarn. Hmmmmm just what I needed, another craft.