California 2011

Sep 12

Monday, September 12th

Everything enjoyable must end. And my wonderful vacation in Lake Tahoe is coming to an end.
Packed everything up this morning for our trip back to Pleasanton later this afternoon.
After another of Mary's wonderful brunches, we left for Pleasanton about 1 PM.
Trip was uneventful and we did not run into any major traffic problems, getting to Chris & Lara's at about 5 PM
Lara made a delicious dinner of salmon.
Watched the Raiders football game.
Tomorrow's fly day - good night.

Sep 12

Sunday, September 11th

Quiet day. Recovering.
Nice morning walk
Mary fixed another of her delicious brunches. Thanks, Mary.
Watched some football.
Late afternoon, we attended a classical music concert put on by the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. They performed Mozarts 3rd Violin Concerto and Beethoven's 9th Symphone. Very enjoyable program.
Afterward, we had a Mexican dinner at Cabo Wabo.
Finally, last evening, Mary & I bought a couple more light bulbs at Harvey's Casino. Should be my last for some time.
No pictures today - can't top the "balloon pictures".

Sep 11

Saturday, September 10th (Final Videos)

Last of M&M videos (Do NOT start on this post - move down to Saturday, September 10th - Balloon Day, and then work your way back to this post.)

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Sep 11

Saturday, September 10th (Getting Home)

If you're reading this post first, don't! Start at the last Saturday, September 10th post and work your way up to here. That's the chronology.

Returning home, we took the road that Theresa & me & Danny took when we moved to Palo Alto in 1961.
On the way back to SLT, we stopped in Tahoe City for lunch.

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Sep 11

Saturday, September 10th (And Still More Pictures)

Remaining M&M pictures

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My videos

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M&M's videos

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Sep 11

Saturday, September 10th (More Pictures Start Below)

Remainder of my pictures

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M&M pictures

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Will need one more post to include the remaining M&M pictures.

Sep 11

Saturday, September 10th (Balloon Day)

This was one of the most spectacular sites I've every seen. It ranks right up there with our trip through the Canadian Rockies several years ago. I'll explain only minimal notes and let the pictures speak for themselves. The morning's schedule is below.
Wake up call: 3:00 AM
Silver Legacy courtesy bus: 4:00 AM
Balloon Glow: 5:00 AM (6 balloons light up in the dark to music)
Dawn Patrol: 6:00 AM (5 balloons take off in the dark)
Mass Ascension: 7:00 AM (over 100 balloons fill & take off)
during all of this we walk around among the filling balloons and take lots of pictures
exciting, quality pictures are so numerous, I finally had to stop uploading them and skip to the last ones.
the first goup are mine while the second group for M&M's
(had to split the pictures over several posts - reverse chronological sort messes up viewing)

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Sep 11

Friday, September 9th

packed for our trip to the Reno Balloon Races via Virginia City.
drove to Carson City to see the Nevada State Railroad Museum (see pix).
brunch at Red's (with very old machines hanging from ceiling) (see pix).
then drove to Virginia City (silver mining town still much like it was in mid 1800s.

viewed/read Suicide Table.

rode tractor tour of Virginia City with excellent guide (see pix).

visited 125 year old St Mary's Church

went into the Bonanza Mine (see pix).

stopped for some ice cream & fudge at Grandma's.

went to Silver Queen (see pix).

went to the "As It Was" Museum (see pix).

after leaving Virginia City, we drove North to Reno stopping at the Sliver Legacy (as Mike calls it) – have a beautiful room.
went to bed early as our wake up call was for 3:00 AM (Balloon Day)
Sorry I'm so late on posting both Friday & Saturday - had no Internet connectivity at hotel and it was a long day

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Sep 9

Thursday, September 8th

Surprise! Surprise! It rained last night. quite hard for a while. don't know how much. and it's suppose to rain again later today (didn't happen)
late morning, we headed for the Gondola to view & eat mountains - but it was closed for the season - in preparation for ski season
so then we had lunch at Heavenly Plaza
while there, I purchased a souvenir shirt & mug
then we headed out to look at bikes - we visited 10 bike stores - the last being in Camp Richardson
upon returning home, I napped while Mary made some delicious banana bread
this evening, Mary made a scrumptious supper of beef stew. Thanks, Mary.
finished the day with a walk out to a ledge to view the sunset as it ducked behind the mountains on the other side of Lake Tahoe (pictures below) - visted some bear dens on the way, but saw no bears... darn!

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Sep 7

Wednesday, September 7th

went for morning walk; talked with several neighbors
Mary fixed a wonderful brunch of French Toast & eggs
after lunch, we rented a mountain bicycle and went on a 7 mile bike ride on both the beach & the mountains (see pictures & video below)
here's a link to the map of our route along with other info - created from data collected by Mary's phone as we biked along
Mary prepared us another wonderful supper of Shepherd's Pie & fruit - mmm..... good
after supper, M&M went for a walk, but I was too "pooped", so I stayed home & put today's blog together