Thursday, March 13, 2008

Cabin in Tahoe. Everything included, even a fire pole.


A couple of weekends ago I was spoiled with a wonderful weekend stowed away in the forest of Tahoe at the Dyches cabin. It was possibly one of the best weekends of my life. I needed to get away from the world for a while, and well why not do it in Tahoe with people you don't even know. It was definitely an adventure just getting to the cabin, with all the delayed flights, snow and three random guys I didn't even know. Let's just say it made for interesting conversation in the mini-van. haha.
Once we finally met up with Emily in California to drive up the cabin the adventure continued. She pulled up in the Lexus, it was completely covered in a sheet of thick ice! We put all of our gear in the back and piled in, I grabbed the front seat because I ♥ seat warmers. I was so grateful that Emily was driving because let's just say the mini-van would not have made it up the road at 1 in the morning through the snow. In order to get to the cabin from where we stopped once again we had to take the Argo and the snowmobile. Let's just say I wasn't prepared for this, I quickly grabbed a beanie, my goggles and my warmer coat. I got to go with Emily on the snowmobile eventually once we got it started. All the guys piled onto the Argo with Ben who looked like Darth Vader with his giant black helmet.
The ARGO
This thing is a beast and can pretty much drive through/over anything. The day before the guys at the cabin had made a path so it was not too bad on the way up. It was my first time on a snowmobile, I was a bit scared but had a blast. My hands started to freeze on the way up because I forgot to put my gloves on. Emily was nice enough to let me use her pockets. I was frozen by the time we drove the mile to the cabin. After almost running into the front door on the cabin and waking up Kyla I had some of the best hot cocoa ever! Apparently it was so cold I cut my nose and I didn't even feel it. I was so excited that I could hardly sleep that night even if by the time we got to the cabin it was 2 in the morning. The next morning we had awesome pancakes and eggs with some more fabulous hot cocoa. It was a gorgeous morning and its hard to complain when you wake up to a view of the gorgeous Tahoe area.
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Emily had a hard core sledding accident the day before so she decided to stay in and take a nap. Everyone else decided to go and play in the snow. Eventually by the time we all got our gear on it had started to snow again, which just made it more fun. The path we had driven up on the night before had a slight downhill slope so everyone grabbed a sled, snowboard, or Argo to ride down. As I was riding down the path on my snowboard I would just stop and listen to the silence of the forest, it was nice. Then I would continue to ride down the path, until I caught my edge on the side of the snow bank and face planted into the powder. After spitting out a mouthful of fresh snow I attempted to finish the trail. After having to strap out of my board 3 times because of the flat parts on the trail I met up with the Argo. Sarah was driving and three of the guys were piled in the back. I hopped in the front with Sarah while Sid and Q got out. They took the two sleds with ropes tied them to the back of the Argo and were dragged back up the trail. It was very entertaining seeing as we were going 5 miles an hour up this path in a blizzard. After finally making it back to the cabin soaking wet, I was perfectly content with staying inside the warm cabin drinking hot chocolate.
Later on that evening there was some definate entertainment, I mean it's not everyday you see Sid in a fully body bright ORANGE Nasa space suit or anyone for that matter. Also that evening I was introduced to one of the BEST games ever, BOGGLE. I think Emily has the ability to intimidate anyone in a single round of boggle. In order to even compete one can't watch her write because you will have the desire to quickly give up. I got clammy hands, Sarah made up lots of random words, and Sid wrote so hard he carved his list into the wood table. But it is officially one of my new favorite games. The next day was Sunday and the fact that we even fathomed the idea that we, all 8 of us, could make it to 9 o'clock church makes me laugh. We only had the Argo to get everyone and everything down the mountain. So the first trip involved 4 of us (Ky, Q, Emily, myself) and the majority of the gear. I got to sit in the back of the Argo to make sure none of the stuff fell out. Emily wasn't sure we were going to make it seeing as a fresh two feet of snow had fallen the night before. When we tried to start the Argo on Sunday morning the key hole had frozen over, so Sid with his mad skills got a cup of hot water and spit it into the hole. He saved the day, but I was hoping we would get stuck another day I would not have minded at all. The trail which had been so convienent the entire weekend had disappeared completely beneath a fresh blanket of powder.
The road ahead.
The road ahead.
But the Argo is hard-core and could totally handle it, well slowly it handled it.
The road behind.
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It's fun to go riding in a blizzard with friends down a mountain. A little chilly though.
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Once we got down the mountain we found the Lexus, it had become part of the wall.
The Lexus became part of the wall.
It did awesome though and totally made it out fine. Ky and I were the lucky ones that got to go down to the van and wait for everyone else to come down from the cabin. We made good use of our time by creating a lion to guard the front gate.
It was there to guard the gate.
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It was so cool, but it eventually got covered from the blizzard. It was definitely an adventure I enjoyed and will remember.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Riding at Boreal.


Amber and I went night boarding/skiing at Boreal this Friday. It was my first time going riding at night, it was fun but a little icy. Amber is a pro even after 2 years of not skiing.
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As for me I tried not to fall on the ice. My favorite part had to be watching the sun go down while riding the chair lift.
pink snow.
Pretty pink snow. The clouds parted just enough for us to watch the sun go down it was so gorgeous.
Pretty view.
Amber holding the sun.
There were so many people there, but it is hard to beat a 15 dollar lift ticket. Riding still makes me smile everytime.
Cheesy.
One of the best feelings ever: taking your boots off after riding for hours, it is liberating.
Ninja turtle socks.
I like to call her ninja turtle toes.
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As for me I fit right in with the saggy pants look, I don't understand how people ride this way. To top off our adventure we went to T's my favorite place in Tahoe.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Year-round Universal Recreational Tent

Christmas was a bit different in 2007. I went with my brothers Weston and Craig, and Weston's finance Sabrina and her little sister Sarah on a road trip along the Oregon Coast. Before we started our adventure up the beautiful coast we went snowboarding at Northstar. It was possibly one of the best presents I have ever gotten from my mom, well besides her unconditional love.
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(which lift should we ride?)
It was Craig's first time and he did AWESOME! We got him to use both edges by the end of the day.
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I haven't gone snowboarding with Weston for years. It was a blast!
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I ♥ them!
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Weston insisted on taking pictures of everyone on the first morning of our trip. We are all so photogenic.
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The drive was so fun, even if we did it A LOT!
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We saw an official shoe tree, one cooler than the ones in Nevada. Notice the orange shoes on top.
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It was off this crazy highway, the sign stated that we would be driving on curvey roads for the next 150 miles. There was lots of snow along the way.
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We stopped in some random places, like "Mud River".
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I love this picture of my brothers even if it is blurry. One gets bored staying in the car for extended periods of time. This results in lots of pictures, random ones at that.
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During out trip we stayed in YURTS, it made a huge difference seeing as we were traveling along the coast during winter. But I definately could not complain about the view.
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The beach was literally a 5 minute walk from our camp site, and it was so beautiful. I could have stayed and watched the waves all day.
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The next day we headed for the Redwoods. They too are quite the sight to see.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Great way to start 2008

On the first day of the new year I went cross country skiing for the first time and I loved it! It is probably one of the best workouts you can get. Liz taught me all the techniques but I still managed to wipe out at the beginning of our adventure.
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You definately don't need many layers when participating in this sport. Sometimes I like to pretend I know what I am doing.
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Liz looks like a pro going around Spooner Lake.
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Then on our way home we stopped to watch Tahoe's amazing sunset. Hiking in ice is a different story.
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This is one of the many reasons why I want to live here.
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I will never get sick of that view.

Friday, December 21, 2007

Snowboarding with Liz in Tahoe

If I could snowboard everyday and still be able to afford to live I would! Liz did awesome for it being only her second time. She likes to express her domination of the snowboard with actions.
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We didn't take any pictures on the mountain but had a fun snow ball fight when we got home. We've got some mad skills!
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I like to peg Liz with snowballs.
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But she quickly retaliates.
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Snowball fights are the best especially when you get to cover your friend in snow.
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Thursday, December 6, 2007

A weekend full of Burgundy and Driving.


Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love having a weekend of just relaxing and being with family and friends. Well this Thanksgiving I got to see lots of family, but didn't do much relaxing. My cousin Christina got married the Saturday after Turkey day. On Friday a small group of us drove from Susanville to Oakland, totaling a little over 5 hours one way. After being crammed in the van we were happy to stretch our legs. My aunt Judy didn't want my cousins and I walking around outside because she was scared we would get kidnapped. Lucky us, we drove 5 hours to Oakland to sit in a hotel room, but it was still fun. :) On Saturday Christina and Tim were sealed they looked so HAPPY!!
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We got to see them come out of the temple, and grandma's like to take pictures when the cousins aren't looking.
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Then we spent forever taking tons of pictures. They are so CUTE!
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The grandparents labeled this picture as the "Big Kids"
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Then lucky us, we got to drive the 5 hours back to Susanville for the reception. Becky and I did not get to change out of ours skirts because my grandma had our bags for the drive. Let's just say it is not easy to get comfortable in the Space Ship in a skirt.
With only 20 minutes to get ready again, we safety pinned my HUGE dress on so it wouldn't fall off. They we got to take more pictures again.
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Don't you just love when grandparents who have been married three times talk to you about getting hitched.
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Guess that is what happens when you are the oldest cousin there and still not married.
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All the family, well at least the part that was there.
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Papa Harry is my favorite! :)
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Seriously five years is too long to not see one another. I finally got to see Madi my cousin!
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Snazzy Darren looks so old now!
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This is how I remember the Lees. They are my favorite family to visit!
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Little Dallin looks like a missionary already!