Having Fun in Seattle
We got up to Seattle last Thursday to visit with friends and are having a wonderful time, and they have kept us very busy.
Day One: We relaxed for a few minutes around the house, then went out on a speed boat on lake Washington. Vido and Tom got up on the water skis and we all jumped in for a refreshing swim in the clear lake. That evening we stayed around the house, the kids played at “Connor’s park” and enjoyed dinner outside.
Day Two:
Karen and I took the kids to the local park, and the boys biked 35 miles over to red hook brewery where we went on the tour and had lunch. Full and happy, we came back to the house for a bit, then off to Overlake for swimming and the boys hit a bucket of balls at the golf course.
That evening they had arranged a babysitter for all the kids, and we had a nice evening out in Seattle. We went to dinner at Zoe, and then ice cream at Molly Moons, and saw a dodgeball game across the street on tennis courts.
Day Three:
Kayaking and canoeing around lake washington. My Camera got a bit wet on that trip. We got home Connor got a nap in, and the kids and I took the car and went and got ice cream while everyone took naps.
That evening we went to the gym where they had a big floaty slide in the pool. The kids loved it, but quickly got tired. We had dinner at the gym, and the kids both passed out when we got back to the house.
Day Four:
We went to Seattle Zoo.
Chateu Ste Michelle and saw Elvis Costello. and too much wine.
Day Five:
Seattle Center and the space Needle, and of course Pikes.
Day Six:
Fly home.
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Top of the Sierra’s
We headed up to the top of Mammoth Mountain and took the gondola to the top. The kids had fun stacking rocks, but the elevation took it out of them.
Later that day we went over to the lakes and took the river raft and the floaties out onto lake. It was fun and a beautiful last day.
We drove home Thursday morning, thinking it would take five or six hours. eight hours later we were home.
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Quinn riding her bike in Mammoth
Quinn Biking in Mammoth from jan Schrieber on Vimeo.
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Tahoe and Mammoth
We spent our last evening in Tahoe along the lake and enjoyed a picnic along the beautiful shore.
The next day, we headed south along the lake then we took the road less traveled through small towns that are barely on the map and of course no cell coverage.
We are in Mammoth for two days, and the weather is perfect Sierra weather. It’s blue skies right now, (7am) but should rain this afternoon. We are going to the ski resort and plan to take the gondola up to the top for a hike. It will be colder than the top of Squaw and no swimming pool. Mammoth is 11,000 ft.
Hopefully we make it out to the lakes to “fish” and float around in our rafts and the kids floaties. By the way the floaties I bought in Tahoe for $8 have been the biggest hit.
You can view the photo stream on flickr here.
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Tahoe: West Lake Side
Happy Monday. And it is, as I write this I am enjoying a Sangria, thanks Auntie Valerie for leaving the box of sangria wine and all the fixings. : )
Today we decided to just tour around the lake and take the kids’ bike along with a picnic. We didn’t have a plan, but I had read an article about the state parks in the LA Times before we left, so we headed south the the Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine Point State Park. It was nice to be out of the house all day with no TV. The kids seem to just want to either play in the hot tub or watch tv. Maybe since it’s in the main room.
Anyway, we had a nice picnic along the lake, the kids road bikes and we chased after them. We found a nice spot next to the water in the shade and enjoyed lunch.
Then we headed south a few miles to the mansion that was build in the 1901.
SIDE NOTE: The California State Parks are in trouble, and it really would be a shame if they closed these places down. If you want to help there are many sites with info, this is one of them. You can also become a fan on the facebook page of California State Parks Foundation. Okay back to vacation.
A wealth banker built this house as a vacation home. It was in their family until the 1960ies when the state of California purchased it for 7 million. It’s an amazing piece of land that more than 1000 acres.
The kids were pretty good with the guided tour and took a million blurry pictures inside. They had fun checking out the boat in the boat houses and looking at the chipmunks along the shore.
If you are ever up here, there is a great beach and pier, and if you don’t mind 57 degree water, you can swim in the crystal clear lake.
On our way home we stopped and picked up two “floaties” as the kids called them. They had fun in the hot tub with them and are excited to try them out in the next pool we go to.
Tonight we plan to have our last Tahoe dinner down by the lake. Hopefully we get home before all the bugs come out.
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Tahoe: Squaw Valley
We took the cable car up to the top of Squaw and spent the day at the pool. It was pretty warm in Tahoe City, but up top it was breezy and 70.
Our house guests left early and heading south to check out the sites along the lake. We are heading south tomorrow to go to Mammoth. We plan to check out Emerald Bay and maybe hit the Ehrman Mansion at Sugar Pine point on the way down. I read about the state park owned mansions in the LA Times before we left. One comment was you better go see them now before the state sells them off due to the budget cuts.
I’m not sure what is on the agenda today. Both Vido and I are a bit sore and achey. Old age I guess. Maybe take the kids for a short bike ride on the bike path.
Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Valerie took them fishing, but they lost interest in five minutes, so I’m no sure we’ll do that.
You can view the photos on the right, or click here.
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Tahoe:Xterra Off Road Tri day
Vido and I did the Xterra off road tri today. It was our second year doing this event. We were suppose to start the swim at 8am, were told it would start five minutes late, but a half hour later, we started swimming. We were all hanging out in 57 degree water waiting. Other than that, it worked out. I beat Vido out of the swim, he of course kicked my booty on the bike and the run. His time was 4:01 and change, he was bummed because he wanted to finish under 4 hours. I think he did incredible.
My time was okay, too. I finished 4:20. Much better than last year, I think mainly due to having a new bike and all of my ocean swims, thanks Michele. LOVE my new bike.
The kids and Grandma and Grandpa along with auntie Valerie were all at the finish waiting for us. We enjoyed the bbq at the park and came back to our rental and enjoyed the hot tub.
We had a nice dinner and of course another family movie night with popcorn.
We’re not sure what is on the schedule for tomorrow, something outside.
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Tahoe: Continued
Yesterday we decided to go river rafting down the Truckee river. The water level is pretty low, and the tours are not running this year, a sure sign of the continued Californina drought. We brought two rafts with us and tied together and the kids and I set sail down river. Vido drove down stream parked the car, and ran back up to meet us.
We had fun, but after about an hour the kids were done and wanted to come back home.
I did a short run and realized I still have a cold and the altitude isn’t kind, but I still have two days to the race. Oh, I should have trained harder….
Later that day we discovered the local park and met another family visiting. Quinn had a instant friend and hopes to see her again.
Today, Friday, Auntie Val, Grandma and Grandpa come up to stay with us and watch the kids for us tomorrow.
There should be photos over on the right column that you can view.
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Tahoe: Day One
We got up to Tahoe last night and relaxed in our home for the week. The kids were very excited to check out the house and pick their bed.
Everyone slept well, and we headed out early to horseback ride and take one of the rafts out onto the lake. Vido and I took turn swimming to get ready for our race. The water is so refreshing, a bit cold 56.85 degrees, but thanfully our wetsuits work really well.
The kids like that they can turn the tv on and seem to want to watch more tv here, than at home since it’s in the living room, front center.
Vido and I are both taking turns getting a mt bike ride and a short run in. Just trying to breath in the thin air up here.
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Tahoe: Day four, a bit of drama
We woke up to a beautiful day and planned on riding the bike and kids to town and go river rafting down the Truckee river. While Vido was getting the bikes ready, he had a sneezing attack which turned more serious. He had been having sinus issues and is scheduled to have surgery this month (july). With the smoke lingering in the air along with the pine pollen, and a slightly weaker body from the race the day before his lungs were compromised.
I ended up calling 911 and driving him to the fire station in Tahoe City. The paramedics took wonderful care of him, but still wanted him to go to the hospial in Truckee, 20 minutes away. After playing in the fire truck, the Kids and I followed in the car.
Vido was good as new in no time and we were river rafting that afternoon.
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