Lake Tahoe

 

The beginning of May was an ideal time to visit the Reno/Lake Tahoe area as their busy summer season begins in mid May.  The region was coming out of hibernation just as the bears had recently done.

As you can see from the pictures, there were many postcard perfect scenes.  The views were breathtaking from Reno to Virginia City, Carson City, Truckee, Mt. Rose and any stop along the shore of Lake Tahoe.

 

 

 

Looking at California's western shore of Lake Tahoe from Nevada

 

 

 

Homes and Abandoned Mines between Carson City and Virginia City

 

 

 

 

Main Street Virginia City

 

 

 

Prospector in Virginia City

 

 

 

Bear checking out what's for dinner at the grilling area just outside our condo!

 

 

 

Beautiful Beach at North Lake Tahoe

 

 

 

Tunnels along Lake's southern end

 

 

 

Emerald Bay on Western Lake Tahoe

 

 

 

Damaging a tree here is a serious matter!

 

 

 

One vehicle in John Harrah's 170+ car collection at the National Automobile Museum

 

 

 

A motor home in the early years

 

 

 

The 1000 ft. depth helps to make  Lake Tahoe's  water crystal clear.

"The Boys' Birthdays are in the Book"

 We've just had two great birthday celebrations, Connor's first and Logan's third.  Our sister/cousin Abi , 3 1/2  made sure we all had lots of fun.  Both parties were filled with great food, friends, family and good times, thanks to two special Moms and a couple of pretty good Dads! 

Connor's party featured a real clown and the delivery of a new puppy that Abi has since named "Chippy".

Logan had a pirate themed party complete with swords and eye patches for everyone.  A real live pirate led everyone to buried treasure by following the treasure map.

Both parties enjoyed as always, the inflatable bouncy houses.  They work away lots of energy brought on by the ice cream and cake!

 

 

A little pre-party bouncy time with Mom

 

 

 

"Freckles" was a great clown!

 

Chippy arrives!

 

 

The cake will soon disappear, yum yum

 

 

So fortunate, so many gifts

 

Logan and his buddies about to come down the slide

 

Johnnie, the pirate leads the treasure hunt

 

 

 

About to enjoy the Pirate Cake!

 

End of 2012-Beginning 2013

 

Christmas with Great Grandmother

 

 

 

First time in the Sand-2013

 

 

 

 

 

Headed to HHI St. Patrick's Day Parade

 

 

The Perfect Puddle

 

 

 

Working with Pop Pop

 

 

Easter Egg Hunt

 



 

 

 

Logan's First Fish

 

 

 

At Riverbanks Zoo

 

 

 

 

 

Fall is in the Air and the Atlantic

Even as the leaves change and the temperatures start to cool down, the calendar is as busy as ever.  Abi celebrated her Third Birthday at her family's annual Halloween party.  Then we sailed on the Fascination from Jacksonville to Half Moon Cay and Nassau.  Next, we had a Thanksgiving celebration that lasted for six days and included all kinds of fun.  We ate, we played, we watched football, we built and tested our new zipline, we went on walks through the woods, we set out by the fire at night, we visited "Lights of the South" and even visited with Santa.

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for the Game, "Go Eagles"

 

 

Visiting Daddy at Training

 

 

Gigi,the Witch holds Connor, the Tiger

 

 

 

A Witch and a Yellow Jacket

 

 

 

Passengers boarding the tender headed for Half Moon Cay

 

 

 

 

Beach Activities at Half Moon Cay

 

 

 

We enjoyed our own Cabana on the beach

 

 

 

Naps are better in Gigi's bed

 

 

 

Connor's first trip to "Lights of the South"

 

 

 

 

Logan and Abi with a Bedtime Movie

Morning with Brock

Logan tries out the Zip Line

 

Visiting Maine in September



 

 

We recently enjoyed the official end of summer while in the state of Maine.  We flew into and out of Portland while spending most of our time in and around Bethel.  Bethel is a beautiful little village in the mountains about 1 and 1/2 hours inland from Portland.

We decided that the best word to describe Maine is "unspoiled".  This includes the coast, lakes, streams, the sparse population, the neatness and cleanliness, and the friendly people.  While enjoying all that Maine had to offer, we did observe signs that winter time there could be brutal.  We noticed tall markers to locate fire plugs buried in snow, stores that sell ice fishing equipment and snowmobiles, even special roofing to handle ice build-up.  The city provided a place to get fresh water during freeze-ups.

And yes, the fresh lobster was delicious!

 

 

 

 

 

Bethel Inn's original structure in use since 1913

 

 

 

Bethel Inn overlooks the 200 acre resort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bethel Inn's Cabin by the Lake

An otter's morning swim in the Androscoggin River

Special roofs for snow and ice buildup

One of many beautiful homes in the Village of  Bethel

Homes with attached barns were very common

The heated pool's indoor access for winter swims

 

A view from Bethel

Corkscrew Falls flows into Bear River north of Bethel



Amazing formations created by the river



One of Maine's many covered bridges

 



 

 

Fort Gorges protected Portland until the late 1860's

Portland Head Lighthouse, first lit Jan. 10, 1791