Family Tahoe Trip: Day Three

On Monday morning, we got up early to pack up the car and had our free breakfast at the Best Western. It was a full-service breakfast complete with banana pancakes, eggs, or whatever else that was on the menu. This hotel was a pretty good deal considering it was close to the casinos, was super clean, and had free breakfast every morning.

We then drove to Sierra-at-Tahoe but also made a quick stop by the lake for a group photo. Unfortunately, it was a little icy and it took a couple takes for us to get the timing of the camera right. I managed to slip on one of the takes and this is what we got. It makes for a pretty funny photo. Love how Brother was totally laughing at me.

Once we got to Sierra, we were one of the first ones there and I don’t think I’ve ever parked so far up in the lot before.  The mountain was nice and empty and Brother and I got a few fast runs in on the blues in West Bowl before heading back to SF.

On the way home, we stopped at the Jelly Belly factory for a tour, tastings, and to pick up a big bag of “Belly Flops”, which are unlabeled, irregular Jelly Bellies that didn’t make it into the packages.

We did all this and still managed to get home by 5pm.  Amazing!  So for dinner, we picked Jes up from work and had the salt and pepper crab at R&G.  Soooo tasty.

Here are photos from Day Three.

Family Tahoe Trip: Day Two

On Sunday, we got up bright and early to drive down to Kirkwood.  The roads were kinda icy but we got there in one piece and didn’t need to bother with chains.  Yay!  The mountain was pretty empty and the sun was shining brightly on our heads.

For old time’s sake, we took Jes’ favorite run called “Whiskey Slide”.  It’s too bad he didn’t come along for a ride down memory lane.  We even rode the lift that goes over the run that he fell on that fateful December morning in 2001.

Joy got pretty good at carving by the end of the day and we got a good five hours of skiing/boarding in without a lunch break.  Now that’s hardcore!

Once we got back to the hotel, we all showered and rested and then headed out for Happy Hour and some gambling.  We had drinks and apps at Kalani’s, played penny slots and $1 roulette, and then finished the evening with some Fatburger.  It was a good day.

Here are photos from Day Two.

Family Tahoe Trip: Day One

I’m back from Tahoe and went back to work with only 3 days until the weekend again.  Wooo!  Mommy came up on Thursday night and the sibs came Friday night.  On Saturday, we left the house by 8 and made it there by noon with a 30-minute pee and gas break at the Costco in Rancho Cordova.  I don’t usually drive to Tahoe so I was a little nervous about putting chains on and driving in icy conditions but we lucked out with dry roads and no traffic.  Phew.

Once we arrived in South Lake Tahoe, we had a buffet lunch at Harrah’s with a sweeping view of the mountains and lake.  After losing a dollar to the penny slots, we checked in at the Best Western that was super close to the casinos and Heavenly Village.

We took a walk to the lake nearby and found a beach that was half-covered with snow.  It was freezing cold out there but we got a whiff of the fresh air.

We also went for a walk around town before dinner and did a little window shopping. I still love the wood-carved bears all over town.

For dinner we went to Naked Fish Sushi and scored a spot at the bar.  It was the first time my mom had ever sat at a sushi bar and I think she had a good time.

On our way back to the hotel, it started to snow and we were all giddy.  Mommy even tried to eat the snow.  Funny Mommy.

Here is the first set of photos.

The week is practically over now.

Today is Thursday and my Mommy is flying up tonight.  Brother and Joy are flying up tomorrow night and we’re driving to Tahoe on Saturday morning.  Woooo!!  Although this was originally a trip to Utah, I’m feeling pretty good about the snow accumulation at Kirkwood.  It’s always one of the top 2 or 3 on my iPhone app compared to the snow fall reports of Park City and Snowbird.  California is just getting a lot of good rainfall and snow and I’m finally going to get to play!  Just two more work days and I’ll be off for a 4-day weekend.  Aaaaah…  Hopefully there won’t be too much snow on the roads.  Jes is staying behind with the dog this time and I will have to put the chains on.  Yikes!

Hot Pot Sunday

We had Sunday Supper at the Bangs’ for Chinese New Year and it was super tasty.  Vyl (as usual) went all out with the thinly sliced beef and pork, fish and beef balls, tons of different mushrooms, and everything else you can think of. I made almond jello and boxed brownies for dessert.

Jack had his Superman outfit on and boy has he started talking!  At one point in the car on the ride over, Jes said “When did you get so noisy?”  Jack can identify the different people in the room now and he has an Uncle Bang AND and Uncle Bong (Phuong).  Hilarious.  Thanks again for all the prep you did, Vyl!

Nice guys finish last…

Jes went on his first sailing race today and had a fun time out on the water.

Yesterday we stopped at the sailing suppy store (yes, it does exist) to buy him a pair of pants and a personal flotation device (life jacket).  We decided on the less-expensive items this time around since he’s just a nublet (a cute word for newbie).  Jes completed his certification in Basic Coastal Cruising a few weeks ago and got on a “crew list” that allows an owner of a sailboat to email you for help on his boat.  Basically, if you’re a guy that has a boat and wants to race, you need a crew of guys to help you race it.  A guy contacted Jes the other day and they went out today for a little race against 6 other teams in the Bay off the Berkeley Marina.

There was nice wind and Jes worked the jib sheets and sat on the rail all day and in the end came in last…actually, he’s not sure but it was close.  I guess it doesn’t really matter because the had a great time.