20. Swim in Lake Tahoe

A report on one of my items from my 30-before-30 bucket list.

This trip was so amazing. I've taken so long to blog about it, and mostly because I have no idea how to put it into words. It was just such a great fun time. I seriously love those cousins of mine, and it was great to spend time with them in such a beautiful place. We stayed in this lovely little hotel in Carson City that used to be a mansion. Such a lovely place, not too far from Tahoe. We explored a lot of Nevada, and really only spent a day at Tahoe. It was just as beautiful as I remembered, and again worth the trip and the wait (since I tried to go last summer, but it got wildfire smoked-out).

Also, I fell in love with Nevada. And Mark Twain. So much history intertwining the two. Who knew I would love it so much.

My cousin Jessie put it in such perfect words, so I will share hers, and then photo dump with captions:

"This summer I was lucky enough to get to take a trip to Carson City Nevada with two of my favorite people in the world: Lacey, and Eliza.  Our trip included adventure like driving for 14 miles on a dirt road to see the cabin that Mark Twain built when he thought he wanted to be a miner, and discovering fudge shops.  One thing that brings me joy is learning, and I got to learn so many amazing things about Nevada history.  Did you know it was made into a state because the republicans needed the electoral votes to re-elect Lincoln?  We got to visit the Nevada State Museum, which has a full scale mine you get to tour, one of the most impressive button collections I've ever seen, and, supposedly, a vault in the men's bathroom. Magical.  We got to spend a sunny afternoon in crystal clear lake Tahoe surrounded by beautiful mountains.  Speaking of natural wonders, our trip included a sighting of a stunningly beautiful cowboy.  It was a trip of dreams, and while our car singing didn't get as raucous as the Barnes and Rose Families', I did find out that Lacey knows all the words to Pretty Fly for a White Guy, in case you were wondering."

Road Tripping

We stopped here in Winnemucca on a whim, and it was the BEST food.
So delicious, we almost stopped there on the way home as well. Turns out
they have one in Meridian too, so it might have to be a stop when I go home.

Super random (kind of creepy) Native American homestead made from
"white man's trash" on the drive to Reno. Interesting walk around if you have time to stop.

Schoolhouse in the ghost town of Unionville. 14 miles on a dirt road off the freeway,

Mark Twain's cabin in said Unionville.

View of us and nothing at the top of Unionville.

Virginia City

Eliza in the amazing barrel of candy store. Right next to the Giant fudge shop.

Lovely church in Virginia City.

We really do. That little place is amazing! Definitely worth the extra miles off the freeway.

Carson City

In the bottom of the Nevada State Museum, they have this awesome mine. 

Nevada State History Museum.

Fremont is fascinating. Fremont for president!

This hummus plate was AMAZING!! All hummus plates should come with this much goodness.

Nevada State Capitol

Front of the capitol building.

Lovely little markers throughout the city.

A clock tower that plays Old Man River.

Lake Tahoe

My phone died while I was at the beach, so this is all I've got. But the water was clear and the beach was beautiful. 

29. Learn to water ski

A report on one of my items from my 30-before-30 bucket list.

I tried. Unsuccessfully in Idaho. The water was freezing (56 degrees at the surface). I tried 5 times, and got much closer. Next time. I have not had nearly enough time to go boating this summer. I also went with the Gilberts toward the end of the summer.

Seeing as the summer is now finished, and there is no more opportunity for water skiing before my birthday, I think I'm going to have to call this one. If you define learn as "consciously know how to do it and almost get your body to do it," then check, yes I learned how to water ski. It was sure a fun time learning this summer, and I would not have tried nearly as hard (or even at all) without this goal, and that is the real success. It really made me get out of my comfort zone.

Now, enjoy a video of my best attempt.

27. Leave my mark on the Pike's Place Gum Wall

A report on one of my items from my 30-before-30 bucket list.

September 27, 2014

--- warning: a few gross pictures, if you don't like chewed gum. skip to the cute girls at the end---

In between my job change, I made a quick trip up to Seattle. My whole family was together in Boise over Labor Day, but I couldn't go up there, because of my triathlon. So, I felt like I needed to get some time with my nieces. and finally leave my mark on the gum wall.

When we walked out into the alley, Susan got super excited "Look at all the candy!" Haha. We quickly gave the girls some gum so they wouldn't try to eat the gum off the wall.

Turns out, rained out gum isn't sticky, and neither is fresh gum. So, I had a little trouble making it stick. But eventually it worked. Mine is that orange L (of course).

Thanks to Steph for braving the grossness of it all to help me fulfill this one.

 

And now, as promised some adorable pictures with my adorable nieces (and sister-in-law) from the weekend.