a Heavenly time in Tahoe

Over Thanksgiving weekend, Patrick and I decided to drive up to South Lake Tahoe. Patrick has been snowboarding for a few years and really wanted to go. I, on the other hand, am 34 years old and save 1 short day trip to some melted slush in Lake Arrowhead - still hadn't even SEEN snow yet!

We were both excited and I certainly didn't mind the drive - I recounted old stories of how it reminded me of when we were kids in my family and my Dad had an RV that we would do family road trips. It was relaxing and the drive was beautiful. At one point we pulled over at Mono Lake. It was crystal clear and silent. Felt like we were alone in the world. I loved it and we both got good pictures. Another highlight is passing through the tiny, old-fashioned towns throughout California and musing what it must be like living out there.

Back on the road I once suddenly exclaimed excitedly, "Deer! There's a deer!!!" Sure enough, one lone young buck (he must have been outcast by the older male deers) was trotting gracefully right alongside one stretch of lonely road. We pulled over quickly and jumped out with our cameras. He was so beautiful and majestic I almost cried. I couldn't believe I actually saw him with my horrible eyesight and since he was basically camouflaged. P hadn't even noticed him. As we snapped away, he actually stopped and turned to look at us for a couple minutes before loping away. That was so cool!!!

Finally we reached our destination: Heavenly ski resort in South Lake Tahoe. Situated on the border of Nevada and California it was pretty cool to literally just cross the street to get to the casinos of Nevada. During the day it was gorgeous, clear and sunny. Unfortunately, I guess that was NOT good for skiing -since they had to also manufacture man-made snow. Alas, as it turned out I was not going to be able to try my first at snowboarding. :( That darn knee injury that was aggravated the month before hiking in Peru, was really bothering me after a fall while playing with P's daughter. In fact, I was still limping on it even though it was 2 weeks later!

That said, nothing was going to spoil my fun in nature and sharing yet another adventure with P. I gallantly accompanied him up to the mountain (even though I was a little nervous on the lift - being scared of heights and all). Then, as he went off to snowboard I played around in the snow, watched and listened as a group of youngsters got a snowboard lesson. It was lovely, and very pretty - but very cold on my hands - I forgot my gloves in the hotelroom!

The trip had another first for me: gambling. Being extremely poor my entire adult life (ahh us struggling-artist types), I can tell you that gambling and potentially losing my hard-earned money is NOT my thing. That said, after the first night of watching P win almost $200 bucks off $20 at the roulette table - I decided to give it a go. (Hey! It's not cards - you just have to pick numbers or red and black - it's a game of chance!) I won a little and got excited and then lost it all - bam!!! The next night I spent another modest $20 and both P and I lost out. All's well that ends well - we DID, at least, get a couple of free drinkies.

A final "first" for E? BUFFETS. Hellooo, I am a model. And not only a model, but I am of hispanic heritage - meaning I can gain weight just looking at the wrong food!! Patrick was talking all week about the all you can eat buffets in the casinos. Shoot. $30 each and I didn't even think it was that good - except for the dessert. Plus, it's a waste for me - I can't do much more than 1 plate of food before being full. And I must admit, there is something disturbing to me to see a bunch of Americans chowing down on so much food when they don't appear too healthy to me and also the thought of how much food must get thrown out every day at these things... it's just another sad reminder of American Excess.

Of course no trip with Elsa would be complete without her hurting herself - big clutz that I am. Even without trying to ski or snowboard, leave it to me to take 10 steps out of our hotel room and completely bite the dust on some ice on the ground. (Hey, I thought my uber hiking boots would stick) - WRONG! I went flying in the air and landed heavily on my right wrist and elbow. It was so loud a thud that a nice indian family came running to my aid, "Are you okay? That was a really hard fall.." I thanked them and limped to my room holding my arm. Of course, the minute I got in the tears started falling - it REALLY hurt!!! Also, I was convinced I broke my wrist again - it being weak and all from not healing right from the last time I broke it. Gee whiz. Here I am 3 weeks later typing this and my elbow STILL hurts!!

click on slideshow for pictures!

Lake Tahoe.11.06