Lets Go.... Tahoe!

Our flight into LAX was good but we left a gift purchased in Hawaii for our Californian friends, C&Y on the plane and by the time we realised it was too late. We have a tendency of doing things like that - the biggest thing we have left behind at an airport was a brand new Nikon DSLR camera enroute to New Zealand. You'd think being more experienced with travel we would have things like that all but sorted.... unfortunately not. Obviously the volcano plant from Hawaii wasn't quote as expensive as a new camera but still it was enough to piss us off, especially because we wanted to give it to C&Y as a house warming gift. Grrr...

We arrived in the early hours of the morning so got to see the sun rise over LAX while waiting for a much smaller plane to take us to Fresno. It was already really hot (getting up to mid thirties) by the time we left around 9am but the day was just awesome and clear. I had never been on a very small plane and was pretty nervous about it - the thing was tiny, with only double seats on each side. Despite its size and my nerves it was a really smooth and enjoyable flight. We could see mountains on one side and ocean on the other pretty much the whole way before our descent into Fresno - the duration was only about half an hour. On our arrival into Fresno I was pleasantly surprised that airport was actually one of the nicest I had ever been in - and i've seen quite a few. It was very fresh and clean and there is a great setup of sequoia tree replicas in the terminal, just so cool and for a small airport very unexpected.

C&Y welcomed us into their beautiful new home, which was just huge and amazing! They also indroduced us to their new Siberian Husky puppy who was adorable (though very naughty) and cooked us up a yummy Mexican style breakfast. Before long we were in the car again and - after a short trip to Walmart for some fishing rods - on our way to South Tahoe. The drive took about 5 hours and only really started to get scenic in the last hour or so as we left the highway behind us and wound up into the mountains. The high sierra lake finally came into view and it was breathtaking.



Our first view of Tahoe from the road, just beautiful!

South Tahoe was such a cute town, many log cabins and inns with pine trees galore lining this massive body of bright blue water. It had a small town feel but with all the facilities that we find important (ie McDonalds, KFC, Subway, and our new favourite store for bargain shopping, Ross). Our hotel was a small but quirky and clean motel with a hot tub and I absolutely fell in love with the whole style and feel of the place. I took heaps of photos and made mental notes for when we hopefully have our own place one day.



Y,C&D at Basecamp South Tahoe - checkin' in

Tahoe state of mind - just LOVE this!

The boys were so excited to see each other that they got drunk and walked to the Casino on Stateline, got separated and stumbled home individually before removing all their clothes (minus their undies) and attacking day old Subway while speaking jibberish to Y and I who were in bed trying to yell and act angry about their little escapade but finding it so hard due to the fact they were well and truly 2 very drunk, very stupid but very funny imbeciles. The thing I love about these C&Y is that it's just easy to be around them. We all share the same points of view and sense of humour so the friendship just flows without feeling awkward or forced - most of the time we are in stitches!



Our husbands... how proud we must be

The next day the hangovers husbands woke up and went for an early morning fish while Y&I slept in. When the boys got back we all climbed in the family truckster and headed for the lake for a hike and a swim. The scenery was gorgeous but the water was FREEZING so we didn't spend too long there before heading back.



The always beautiful Y & I hiking Tahoe

After an awesome night including a possibly the best pizza dinner i've ever had we climbed in the car the next morning and were bound for Bishop. Y had family there who kindly offered for us to stay with them for the night and they certainly made us feel very welcome. Bishop is a lovely small town in California's high sierra, mostly famous due to its proximity to the winter wonderland of Mammoth Lakes. Unfortunately we didn't have time on our schedule to go there however we were treated to an authentic Mexican BBQ provided by Y's family who might I add spoke mostly Spanish. It was friggin GOOD! We went for a late walk through the town and drank Coronas and Tequila before hitting the hay.

The next day, after C's run in with a black widow spider crawling on his during his sleep, the boys went fishing before we packed up the car and drove home. D caught his first North American fish - a puny bluegill but he was happy. We chose the scenic and long route home which consisted of going through Yosemite National Park, which was exciting for D & I because it was our favourite place in the world.



D's first fish in North America - what a whopper!

The drive took us right into the night but it was worth it. We wound up through the Sierra passing mono lake and numerous other alpine lakes with stunning green and blue water and saw heaps of wildlife including mule deer. The scenery was nothing short of spectacular and the Giant Sequoias were amazing - these trees are the largest and oldest living things on earth. The biggest we saw was named the Grizzly Giant and was estimated at around 1800 years old.



Grizzly Giant in the background, it was massive

Group Shot at Tunnel View

The next few days were spend at C&Y's home just hanging out, watching TV & Movies and chillaxing. The boys managed a game of golf as well. I began to get sick towards the end of the week so spent a lot of time complaining and sleeping, what a pain I am! I have so many great memories of the week we spent with C&Y. The smell of pine needles in Tahoe, the potato chips popping in Yosemite's high sierra, the mexican feast in Bishop, their sock eating husky and my stomach muscles aching from so much laughter. Thanks to our wonderful friends for a great week!