And as we kick off July we are beginning to truly feel the vacation aspect of "summer vacation". Michael finally completed his long job July 2nd. So, as a family we all hopped in the car on July 3rd to head up to Truckee. (It is a tradition to spend Independence Day up there ever since we've left).
Our road trip begins with a trip to Tony's Fruit Stand on Hwy 70. There we just had to pick up a flat of peaches, bag of cherries, yellow water melon with seeds, squash, honey, nuts, etc. (All the things I was going to miss by not hanging around Chico for the Saturday morning market). A few miles past that we hit up the Woodruff Road fruit stand for several baskets of blackberries and strawberries. Yes, we were all sugar crashing and in dire need of the bathroom by the time we reached the cabin.
Michael grilled up some lovely veggies to have with our dinner on the deck of the cabin Friday night. We followed dinner with a family trek into the woods where we provided a feast for the local mosquito population.
Saturday morning we had our drill down! (After 5 years, we've kind of gotten it right ... although I don't want to jinx next year!) Michael ran down to the beach and put up our shade tent, ice cooler and blankets. Then raced home to pick us up and get to the parade. And this year we did it without too much bickering. 5th time's a charm!
We always enjoy the parade. Who doesn't like a parade? Well, except you, of course. This is usually a chance to spot old friends on the side lines or actually in the parade. Our friends Crash & Rachel were driving a fire truck this year with their kids. Rex's oldest friend from La leche meetings was there marching with the cub scouts. He even spotted our Chico neighbors watching the parade.
Rex used to call this the "candy parade". When he was about 4 or 5 years old I can remember him saying, "Hey! Valerie, remember to bring a bag for all that candy we're going to get at the candy parade!" It's important to pick a spot at the head of the parade (before they run out of candy). This year the kids even got some sunscreen (much to their chagrin) and a good spray from some of the floats.
Before the last float was out of the gate we were running back down to the beach to have our picnic, play games and frolic in the water. Now, my family knows what a land lubber I am. Really. I will take them to lakes, creeks, pools, beaches. I just don't like to get in the water. Of course, if it is insanely hot, I will wade in the water like a water buffalo. But I'm not the splashy fun mom. This year I thought I would rent a paddle boat and take the kids out. Yes, my vain attempt at being "fun parent" turned into "sea sick parent" on the beach for the next hour. Well, the kids might have had some fun.
The funny thing is that we were in the "no wake" zone of the lake just outside the swim area. You'd think it would be next to impossible to to acquire sea legs out there. I mean, I was surprised. Maybe I shouldn't have been ...
Once back on land, wonderful solid land, Amira hooked up with her friend William from the Montessori preschool in Chico. I had no idea there were so many Chico people up in Truckee. I had a chance to chat with William's dad and found out that he lives across the street (practically) from my in-laws. He grows kiwi fruit (hey! a winter fruit connection!!) and now has a vinyard. So we chatted about wine and farming for a bit. He was not impressed with the bottle of rose that we'd brought on our picnic. (Well, neither were we ... but it's a good cold picnic wine). Anyhow, turns out bee keepers use his land and pay him in honey ... honey that he doesn't use and would love to get rid of. So, I pretty much invited myself over to help him get rid of all that honey ... and get a winery tour!
Meanwhile the kids participated in games and played their hearts out until fireworks. It was actually nice to lay down on the sand and just zone out at the colors popping off over our heads ... and feel the rumble of the ground beneath us. Oh, and listen to the terrified shrieks and cries of the little kids who were not expecting such loud sounds and bright lights. I still remember the first time we took Rex ...
On Sunday we went over to the camp ground on the East end of Donner Lake where most of our friends camp every year. It's funny. It's like entire neighborhoods of Truckee camping 10 minutes from their homes. Our kids get a chance to swim and play and climb rocks with their old friends. And we get a chance to see our old friends and invade their camps.
The rest of the weekend was spent hiking or hunting for crawdads or just relaxing and dining on the deck of the cabin. I'd say a good time was had by all.
And now, I'm doing vast quantities of laundry in preparation for our annual Santa Cruz trip. We leave tomorrow! I guess I'll find out just how many loads of laundry and pounds of fruit our septic tank can hold.
