This highly anticipated, signature Tahoe event is where community and local businesses come together for one unforgettable evening. I can't believe it has been SEVEN years since we've attended. This is the link to all of our previous events. What riotous memories!

"The Tahoe Chamber is excited to announce the return of the highly anticipated Go Local Business Expo, taking place at the [very cool] Tahoe Blue Event Center. As Tahoe’s largest business networking and community event, the Expo continues to grow year after year, bringing together over 125 local businesses and more than 1,500 attendees for an evening that celebrates and supports the region’s vibrant business community."

"For just $20 general admission, attendees will enjoy unlimited food and beverage tastings, interactive vendor experiences, raffles, giveaways, and the chance to take home exciting prizes, and local swag. This family-friendly event invites community members and visitors alike to discover new businesses, reconnect with local favorites, and experience the best of Tahoe all in one place."
The Golden Nugget's new restaurant, Mastro's, served my favorite treat, tender slices of NY steak on a crostini with a dollop of gorgonzola cheese. I'm still savoring its flavor (mentally).



This display by Sierra Cleaning Services made me smile. I do love clever!

Did I mention unlimited drinks? The Expo is truly the best 'night on the town'.
The hat references Tipsy Putt, a family-owned and operated indoor mini-golf bar and restaurant, and a place we will be visiting as we won free games there. Fun stuff.


In years past, there has always been a photo booth to capture the night in a very silly way. While that opportunity was missed, Jason with Heavenly, provided some photographic fun with this gondola and Tahoe backdrop. So cool.
It was incredible to see the community come out for this fabulousness.
And it seems neighbors Clark and Michelle know where the fun is to be had, too.
You have to meet Emily Kolessar. This is the wonder who is Tahoe Chamber's Engagement and Event Manager and the person who made tonight's unforgettable event happen. Steve's comment, as we were leaving was, "I now feel like I'm home!" Thank you, Emily.
Just expressing our glee.
Some things just sum up an evening. Steve and Cyndi's dance encapsulates this exceptional event. Friends gathered, businesses shined, and great treats were had by all.

I have been searching for some creative inspiration and found it in the company of a seven year old.

My granddaughter is very talented and loves to encourage me in artistic pursuits. On a quiet afternoon, we busted out the watercolors. How cute is her Chicken Family?
I delighted it in all and I especially love how my rooster's face came out. In addition, I'm rather tickled with my flower below. What simple pleasures.

We awoke early and continued our trek home.

Steve and I did a pretty thorough explore in 2022 but this was a first visit for the kiddos.
Here we were able to take a trip back in time and experience the daily life of the early settlers of the Owens Valley. This site celebrates the rich history of the period and tells of a time when the railroad station was the heart of a bustling western town.





Close to 50 authentic structures on eleven acres are filled with artifacts and original objects that depict the lifestyles of the homemakers, artisans, and townspeople of the period. Most of these objects of antiquity are the actual tools used by the practitioners of their crafts such as, newspaper publishers, gold miners, ranchers, blacksmiths, dentists, physicians, and pharmacists who lived and worked here. Can you figure out why I like it so?




All the historic buildings are original structures. Some, like the Laws Depot, the Agent’s house, the locomotive turntable, and the oil and water tanks were constructed right here and have stood on this site since the first train rolled in in 1883. Others are authentic structures that were relocated here from their original sites throughout the Owens Valley, and restored to preserve the history of the railroad. The section of narrow-gauge track that remains on the site still carries restored and working railroad cars – all of which date back to the early days of the railway.


We all appreciated the Death Valley history as we had been there twice on this trip, alone.
Lunch was on the shore of Mono Lake.
Mark Twain felt no love for this lovely lake when he described it, "Mono Lake lies in a lifeless, treeless, hideous desert, eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and is guarded by mountains two thousand feet higher, whose summits are always clothed in clouds. This solemn, silent, sail less sea—this lonely tenant of the loneliest spot on earth—is little graced with the picturesque." For us, we are constantly surprised by its unique beauty. It really was the right location for our final trip pause.

When we were in Death Valley in November, the road to Badwater was closed due to recent flooding. While we were only passing through on our way home, we still paused for some of this National Park's unique beauty.

Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America at 282 ft below sea level. The salt flats here cover nearly 200 square miles, and are composed mostly of sodium chloride (table salt), along with calcite, gypsum, and borax making for a rather interesting horizon.

Stories suggest that Badwater Basin earned its name when a mule belonging to an early surveyor refused to drink from the spring-fed pool near the present-day boardwalk. However, the water here is not truly “bad,” just very salty. Despite this high salinity, many organisms not only survive, but thrive here. The pool is home to an endemic snail naturally found only at this location, and its rim is dotted with salt tolerant plants, including pickleweed.
It is just one of those places... indescribably unique.
Oh, and it gets hot here.
Our last Death Valley detour was tucked behind an unassuming yellow landscape. "The rainbow of Artists Palette is the highlight along the Artists Drive Scenic Loop. Here, visitors marvel at an array of colors (red, orange, yellow, blue, pink, and green), splashed across the hills. These colors are from volcanic deposits rich in compounds such as iron oxides and chlorite, which creates a rainbow effect."
Home for the night was our favorite, Alabama Hills National Scenic Area.


Our last night on the road... the perfect last night on this very perfect trip.