We slid right into August this year with another trip up to Donner Lake. It was decidedly quieter than 4 July. And rumor has it that the water in the lake was ever so slightly warmer. I wouldn't know first hand as I'm a toe dipper myself. But Michael and the kids are part mer-people and cannot get enough of the aquatic life. Michael & Amira swam out to the dock to check the beach view from there. (Thanks again to Susan and John for the cabin and beach access! We don't get up as often as we like. But we sure appreciate you when we do).
Rex and I made sure that the shore didn't go anywhere. And we played the important parts of photographer for our aquatic family members. Also we got in a few more games of table tennis. That is my beach activity of choice ... right next to taking a nap and reading.
Thar she goes! Action photo of Amira diving in from the dock.
After a quiet day and evening at the cabin we cruised down into Reno. The girls and I squeezed in a game of mini-golf. The girls were getting a little hungry and took to each other with the clubs outside the "Whatsyersis Mine". That was just perfect. Being frugal, I packed my lunch and drink. Also, it was a favor to the girls. No sense all three of us getting snippy.
After a quick bite to eat we skipped off for a few rounds of bowling. It was pretty warm outside so an indoor activity seemed in order.
Later that day we caught up with Scott, Dawn, Joel and Dawn's family at the house where they were staying. It was easy to pick out. It had all the classic cars parked out front. Here are the gals in front of the Falcon.
Hey, Amira, if someone slaps you on the back while you make that face, it might stick that way forever.
And here are the guys in front of the Thunderbird.
We all piled into assorted classic cars/truck and headed in to a casino buffet. Nom nom nom. Rex got to ride in the front of the T-bird. Looking good!
Tiff/Scott selfie in the casino while waiting in line for the buffet. After dinner was a show by the Paperback Writers (Beatles cover band) and checking out all the classic cars in the lot.
Scott, Rex & Joel in the truck.
The following day Scott, Dawn, Joel and Dawn's parents came up to the lake for lunch and a visit. It must be genetic to feel the need to nap at the beach.
It's tradition to get a photo with the lake and the mountains in the background. Looking good!!
Aunt, Uncle, Nephew, Nieces ... possibly super heroes?
More jumping off the dock. Joel was incredibly athletic. That guy could spin and plunge!
Later that night it was back down to Reno for the Wednesday night cruise at Hot August Nights. I was lucky enough to drive the Falcon so that Dawn could be photographer. Thanks again for the awesome experience! Scott piled Joel, Rex, Valerie & Amira into the back of his truck. It was pretty cool.
After the cruise was over Rex got some night driving practice in the Swagger Wagon (minivan) as we started our journey home. We got home about 2am and he turned a bunch of his laundry and was back in another car for the long drive to Oceanside the next day for a paintball tournament. He was gone before the rest of us even woke up. When I was 16 I guess I could do that too.
His team did well. They came in 3rd out of 25. Go Norcal Kings!
Michael and I turned some laundry ourselves and then drove down to Murphys, CA. We had never been there before. it's a little wine country in the Sierra Foothills South East of Sacramento. We had a reunion with our Washington Place friends from San Francisco. "Washington Place" was an apartment building in San Francisco where a bunch of us young, single city slickers lived in our 20's and 30's. Gradually we all moved out and got married and life went on. We have remained friends all these years. And here we are for Joerg's 50th birthday.
When we drove home on Sunday we looked forward to dinner at our friends' house, Holly & Casey. They have a garden straight out of the garden tour and have been known to raise a pig or two as well as poultry in their yard. They are super homesteader models. Also, they are just good people who are fun to be around. We had some beef brisket that was taking up some space in our freezer so we turned it over to Casey to brine it and it became part of an amazing homegrown spread.
The travels were fun. But it's always good to be home. And to be greeted with this homegrown garden feast was out of this world. So colorful. We could taste the summer.
We are lucky to have such amazing friends and family. Now off for a nap.
