Where is Spring?

It is still cold here.
It is still grey/brown here.
I have not seen one tulip or daffy outside of the grocery store.
I have color envy as I visit other blogs.
There is still six feet of snow up at Lake Tahoe around our front door.

Where is Spring?

Finally!

I think we could be seeing spring in the mountains. There is talk of snow on Saturday, but I'm going to play Scarlett O'Hara and "think about that another day." Most of the giant icicles, two stories high, have fallen off the condo and scared Lucy all they're going to this year.  I am so ready for spring weather that is above 40 degrees.

I will be away from my blog for a bit. I know from your pictures that many parts of the country are experiencing an explosion of color, with blogging friends from afar enjoying fall color. Now it's time for me to find some of my own. While it's warming up, the ground is still mostly white.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Almost spring in California...

We had a great time soaking in the warmth. Los Angeles in March is great, but San Diego was even better. Off to the coast and a tour of Hearst Castle, (more about that tomorrow), and home to a light snow. Can't wait to fill you in on the gossip surrounding William Randolph, just in case you've forgotten that story...

Looking forward to catching up with all of you!

A marathon and rubber bats...

I feel like I have run a marathon, and everyone hit me with rubber bats, instead of offering me nice cold water, and encouragement.

My husband and I, and Lucy of course, hit the trail yesterday for what was supposed to be an "easy" rated four-mile hike. At least that's what the book said. In reality, it was a 5-mile hike, rated "moderate", at about 7,500 - 7,800 ft. But the only reason it was rated "moderate" was because it did have some parts of the trail that was level, otherwise it was "difficult" in my book. Of course my book would be for women who spend entirely too much time blogging.

We were absolutely amazed at the hikers carrying their dogs up that trail! The last one, a little Scottie, was so cute, but come on! If you're going to hike at these altitudes the dog needs to do its own walking:

My husband and I had to laugh at a young, cute couple in the parking lot who were preparing to hike in and spend the night - she had a big pack and a little dog with a pink jacket. If they were married it would be okay, but if this was a date - my husband was thinking it might be the last. She was asking how far, and was relieved when we said only 2.5 miles to the lake, but we were thinking it was going to be hard hanging on to rocks and your dog, too, in some places.

We had attempted this hike a couple of months ago and had to turn back. I had tennis shoes, and the rocks are just not negotiable with soft soles. So we didn't make it to the little alpine lake named Lake Margaret, high in the Sierras. This was the second attempt, and this time I had great boots - Keene - which I love.

But the hike was really hard - big boulders, lots of treacherous terrain. Hard climbing, for sure, especially for me. Lucy ran circles around us the entire time. Took many swims, complaining only when we refused to throw her ball anymore. Munching on bear poop, she had some issues going home!

But back to the hike. I can honestly say I would have gladly hired a helicopter to scoop me up and out, that last mile - which was mostly up, of course. I really don't care how much it would have cost - sell something! How can such a beautiful hike feel so wonderful going in? I was daydreaming about maybe backpacking again, certainly hiking again on Wednesday...

Not!

Well, at least that's how I feel right now. Who knows how I will feel tomorrow. I do know that I won't push that hard again, just yet. Maybe turn around when you've had enough, you know you have to hike back out, and the GPS says at least another mile to the lake. Just turn around for heavens sake -

We did see some amazing country, however. Here's what I was so determined to see:

We decided to go back in the Spring, when the creeks are full. Next time, however, Lucy will have her own pack! I think she will come in handy...

Heading Out - Looking for Adventure (and whatever comes our way!)

There has been several posts about people heading out and coming back. I guess spring is the time to flap our wings a bit, and see what's out there. Here are a couple of snapshots of the beautiful Redwood Forest in Northern California, and of course, the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Hope you are enjoying spring wherever you happen to be.

Spring Renewal & Happy Easter

I love Easter. I love everything about it. But especially the feeling that we are on the precipice of an explosion of new growth. Soon all the trees will have beautiful leaves, flowers will bloom in abundance, showering our senses with color. The grass will turn green, and all the little creatures in the soil will come alive to help us grow our food.

Maybe, just maybe, it's true for us as well.  What do you think?

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!

Spring at 6500

I think spring has arrived here at 6,500 feet. It may not be lush yet, but there are certainly signs. I always love to visit blogs that show me pictures of what it is like where they live at different times of the year. So I thought you might like to see what early spring looks like at Lake Tahoe.

We took a walk that winds us around the golf course and homes that are only used for a certain part of the year. Where I live, only 30% of the people live here year-round. I guess they don't like to shovel snow. Anyway, it's quiet right now, but soon it will be bustling with tourists and the people who are only here for parts of the year.

Lucy was having a ball running on the golf course. But she will only be able to do that for a few more walks. We could already see someone preparing the course for the summer, and she is not welcome when the little golf carts start winding their way around. As you can see she is running at full tilt. We keep a close eye on her because if she hits us running like that there is no doubt you are either going down or breaking something. We don't call her Hulk Lucy for nothing. One time I was talking with a plumber in my kitchen in Minnesota, I was on one side of a high counter and he on the other. That house was large with a big open floor plan. Lucy went into "crazy lab mode" which is running as fast as she could around and around the room. She was able to get some speed up when she hit me right behind the knees. One minute I was talking to the plumber and the next I was looking up, red faced, as he peered over the counter to see if I was okay! 

You can see that the snow is fighting to keep hold on the green grass that has been buried, just waiting to take it's turn. I love the shadows on the snow and grass from the tree branches not yet in bloom.

I'm trying to visit everyone's blog that left messages. Thanks so much for your visits to mine. Have a great day!