We spent the day just hanging out at Steve's mom's.

We delighted in watching this mommy duck with her babies as she visited the backyard.


She eventually walked the babies to the neighbor's pool where they all jumped in. So cute.
We taught mom our favorite new dice game. How fun to play in the sun on the golf course.

My girlfriend, Lori, and I walked to the country club for drinks overlooking the golf course's pond. We got caught up and just enjoyed each other's company. Day #2 of our trip was great. Let the fun continue! 

We arrived in time to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday at the new (to us) Blue Water Grill.

How delightful to dine outdoors. When we left Tahoe this morning it was 30 °. You can't tell but Steve's in shorts and I'm in a skirt.

The crazy SoCal traffic was worth arriving for this connection with family, in the warmth, sharing a delicious meal.

The first leg of our newest journey took us down one of my favorite roads and the flowers were beautiful.

What a great start to our upcoming adventure.

After being invited along to go birding on several occasions, I was very eager to have our friends share their year of Bird Watching with the Library community. So when Bob and Jenny agreed to present their exceptional photos as a Friends of the Library event, I knew this was going to be an AWESOME night.

The Tahoe Big Year. Local birders, Bob and Jenny, spent the entire year of 2015 searching the basin for as many species of birds as they could find through Tahoe Institute for Natural Science's Tahoe Big Year. The Big Year celebrates the hundreds of bird species that make the Tahoe region their home all year-round, during summer or winter, or while passing through to other destinations. They documented their hundreds of discoveries with amazing photographs. Join the Friends of the Library as we view all the unique species who have passed this way with their entertaining slideshow. This is an opportunity for the entire community to learn about and experience the Tahoe region's diverse bird community and rich birding opportunities. Free and open to all.

When we planned this, I knew it would be well attended and I was so right. There were 90 people, eager to learn more... it was standing room only (and sitting on the floor)! One gentleman came from Santa Rosa to see this presentation and it was well worth it. They did great!

I love "firsts" and tonight it was dining on Cornish Game Hens with Bob and Jenny there, too.

We celebrated Len's birthday in a delightful and delicious way. Oh the wonderfulness of friendships.

We gathered in Tahoe to celebrate K's big day.

Oh man, it seems like yesterday!
There is something truly special about waking up with all your babies under one roof. I am one happy mommy.

Long walks, Magic:  The Gathering tournaments on one very rainy day, great food, and fabulous company... a perfect birthday weekend.

The five minute writing prompt for my AAUW Talking on Paper writing group was "Where do your memories take you?" Mine took me to Disneyland.

One of my favorite places is Disneyland. It truly is the 'happiest place' and what I believe is the magic is how I feel once I enter the gates... as a child with everything right in the world.

When I'm in the company of the characters, I'm with friends. When the smell of fresh popped popcorn fills the air, I'm at a parade.
I am so transported that once, I completely forgot that I wasn't a small child. I grew up in San Diego, close enough to go to Disneyland a few times in my youth. Our routine was to head to Tom Sawyer's Island when our parents needed a break. My brother, Larry, and I were set free- modern day Toms & Hucks- to explore and imagine. We thoroughly traversed the island, climbing every rock and running through every cave.

Flash forward to when my own son was just eight. We took him to my happy place and to the Island but, unlike my parents, I was not merely an observer, I participated.  I was so transported to my youth, that while running through those familiar caves, I forgot I was 5'9", not 4' the entrances were designed for. I crashed, head first at full running speed, into the cave's opening, landing with my feet having gone up in the air and me crashing hard on my bottom.

Looking back, I probably should have been examined for a concussion but at the time, I was so delighted to be in my 'happy' place, reviving old memories, I did not let a lump and a bruise stop me. Everything was right in the world.

Walking to the lake shore is always pretty magical. The other day, Karen and I observed two Bald Eagles, bathing themselves in the lapping waves, for over 30 minutes. So cool.

This is one of my favorite Lake Tahoe scenes.
This Osprey was very entertaining as he hunted. It really is like National Geographic here.
I absolutely have a thing for old, wooden boats. When we spotted this, parked at the harbor, we had to stop. While we were ogling the Golden Rose, several men came up to do the same. What a beaut!
I did some research and found out that this is a 1953 40' Chris-Craft 40 Venetian Water Taxi. It was recently for sale in Washington State for $89,950 (originally $245,000). I can't wait to see what the owners do with it. It will be something to see as it cruises Lake Tahoe.

One never knows what one will see. Today was full of nice surprises.

Lake Tahoe’s Railroad History came to life today with a presentation by Jerry Blackwill, vice president of Strategic Planning for the Truckee Donner Railroad Society.

Mr. Blackwill told the fascinating the story of the Lake Tahoe Railway and Transportation Company, and how Duane L. Bliss, William Seth Bliss, Walter D. Bliss, Duane L. Bliss Jr. and Frank Titus built and ran this tourist system, laying the foundation for Lake Tahoe’s present day tourist industry.

Here's an interesting side story. Dana, pictured showing photos to Jerry, learned of this presentation online and came all the way from Sacramento. I asked him to tell me his story.

My story? Well, I was raised in the Truckee area. My father and two of my grandfathers worked in that general area as well. My father initiated my interest, and, and others along the way, I found great joy and reward in the study of history, the journey I have had. And while I enjoy western history, I tend to gravitate to the local area history due to my background.

He could have been a presenter, in his own right. I love how these Library events bring our community together to share and I really love the history that can be found so close to us. It was a pretty cool evening.

There is a new and really cool space in Heavenly Village called The Loft. There's a lounge with a really neat vibe, a restaurant with an exceptional Italian menu and then there's The Theatre (here's a great article about it on Lake Tahoe News.)

While at the Business Expo we were dazzled by the slight-of-hand by Magician of the Year, Tony Clark, and we just knew we had to see his Magic Fusion show before he moved on.
Tony was incredibly talented, entertaining and at times emotional. The show was amazing and we are all now huge fans of the entire Loft Experience.

An added bonus was the fact that it was Locals' Night.  Residents living within 60 miles of The Loft receive 50% off show tickets (based on availability, at the door only),  $4.00 wells, draft beer and house wine all night and 20% off the entire food menu. Sweet! All that fun and at a discount, too.

While Steve and I were on a walk, we heard the distinctive sound of the Mountain Chickadee.

The three syllable chirp that really does sound like the tasty treat, is one that appears when Spring does. It means that "love is in the air" because the call also denotes mating season. Summer is slowly arriving- the sun is shining and birds are singing.

I have mentioned this historic ranch as being one of our favorite "off-the-hill" places. This is the second time the Friends of the Library enlisted its curator, Mark Jensen, to share this amazing place with our South Lake Tahoe community.

Just down the hill but centuries away, the family and its influence are incredibly interesting, and Jensen will tell some tales using the park's historic artifacts, photographs and documents.

After Mark's presentation, we went back to our cabin to continue the history lesson while having lunch. This summer at the 'Ranch' is scheduled to be diverse and exciting. I can't wait.

Once a year, the Tahoe Chamber hosts the most fun you can have for $10- the Business Expo.

The annual Business EXPO is the most dynamic business event of the year and showcases Tahoe Chamber members raising the bar in business. They expose the South Shore community to what their business has to offer, as well as their new products, promotions or programs for 2016. The Business EXPO is an outstanding opportunity for all Chamber member businesses to promote products and services, network among other business owners and discover new resources on the South Shore. Participating as a vendor will ensure maximum exposure of your business to over 1,500 attendees.

Tony Clark is the current magician performing at The Loft and our goal is to see him before he leaves Tahoe.
"Happier Gilmores" made us happy.