My favorite marathon (so far), The Lake Tahoe Marathon!
Throughout the summer of 2009 I was able to get some good miles in, I was also a member of a gym near my home so I did some strength-training to get my legs as well as my knee stronger. I set my goal on the Lake Tahoe Marathon run in late September and it was the best trip I’d ever taken for a marathon! My favorite marathon, favorite location and we added a trip to Yosemite in there as well which just made for an all time memorable national park trip!
This post is rather long. I had a good camera while in Lake Tahoe, but then, after the photo taken above where I had just finished the marathon, my mom dropped my camera in the water. The crystal clear beautiful waters of Lake Tahoe. So for Yosemite some of my pics are grainy and not good quality at all. The camera was waterlogged and ruined. This means I have to make a trip back to get some better, and more epic shots! Photos rarely do a place like Yosemite justice anyway.
So to begin, here is Lake Tahoe! This is a beach on the California side!!! Perfection!
I fell in love with this place the moment I arrived! Mountains, fresh air, blue sky and the water is so pristine. It was the perfect retreat for me in a time of my life when I worked inside, sitting at a computer or standing at a green screen inside a studio with no windows. Every day. This was the outdoor oasis I needed!
It was my mom, dad and me. We all flew into Sacramento, CA and did a quick tour of Historic Old Sacramento.
Cute little touristy district. My dad is an overachiever but very modest. I learn new things about him all the time. While we were out in California, I found out he was a forest firefighter before he enter med school. He still kept in touch with another firefighter and so we met up for dinner. They’re holding the photo of them standing in front of the fire truck they used to help put out massive forest fires.
Photo from our lunch.
On our way to Lake Tahoe! Blue sky, mountains, pine trees!
My dad had Parkinson’s all the years we traveled together to run marathons, so often when we would drive for long periods, he would need a break to get out of the car and walk a bit. And on this drive, stopping was a treat! It was beautiful along the way!
Finally we’re coming around the mountain and Lake Tahoe is in the distance!
We made it! Time to get out, stretch our legs, and acclimate to the altitude!
We hiked a bit around Lake Tahoe, took a few trails we found on both the California side and the Nevada side. Below is a weather station!
Just prior to when we made it to this creek we were told there was a bear standing in the water. He was not camera ready so he vanished by the time we got there.
This was in the morning. By afternoon and into the evening we stopped by the beaches, both on the California side and the Nevada side.
The next day we took a ride up the gondola on Heavenly Mountain.
Fantastic views of Lake Tahoe!
Later in the day Dad wanted to go out on a fishing trip, mom wanted to take a break and rest and I wanted to Kayak. So we all did our own thing!
I kayaked from the YOU ARE HERE spot to a little past Pope Beach, then turned back. Stunningly beautiful!
That evening we went out on a sunset boat cruise on the lake. I blinked.
Dad and me! He looks so good here! This was to be our last trip together. He did great, hiking and fishing. But sadly his Parkinson’s progressed and he eventually wouldn’t be as mobile as what he once was. I cherish these trips and memories. He inspired me so much to love the outdoors and to live every day! To really get at it when you’re young, healthy and able to do so!
The Actual Marathon! Here are a few photos but I posted a separate blog found here Lake Tahoe Marathon – The Actual Marathon!.
After the marathon, we made the drive to Yosemite from Lake Tahoe! It was a long drive, arriving around midnight! I detailed our Yosemite hiking, touring and adventures in a separate blog here Lake Tahoe Marathon – Yosemite National Park! After our stay in Yosemite we headed back to Sacramento to fly out, but on the way we had to make a stop in Lodi to visit a winery.
Views of California cowboy country.
Next entry details more about the actual Marathon!