A Western Winter Wonderland

It was bittersweet driving away from California a few weeks ago as my husband and I embarked on a 4,000 mile road trip to Chicago where we'll wait out our time until we leave the states for our round the world trip in January. California has been my home for almost five years and I immediately fell in love with it and the adventures it had to offer.

Sitting in Chicago now during the winter months has me thinking a lot about the fun winter activities in California. Not only could we continue our hiking and wine tasting getaways, but we could easily get to the mountains to ski and snowshoe. We had it so good!

After exploring a bit more of California and the west on our road trip, I wanted to share some thoughts on spending the winter out west and the four things I'd try to incorporate into the season if I were still there.

Death Valley

Death Valley's Zabriskie Point

One of the greatest highlights of our road trip was spending a few nights camping in Death Valley National Park. Any month outside of summer seems to be the right time to visit this expansive park. For winter fun that doesn't include snow, Death Valley is a great option. It has miles and miles of hiking and exploration along with beautiful vistas from all parts of the park.



White Sands National Monument

White Sands expansive dunes

A trip to White Sands in Southeastern New Mexico is definitely off the beaten path for most westerners, but so worth the journey.  A desert of sparkling white sand dunes and crystal blue skies await visitors to this hidden gem in the National Park Service system. Camping may be a little chilly here at night during the winter months so it's probably best paired with a trip to another destination in beautiful New Mexico.








Mammoth Mountain

Minaret Vista

A 45-minute flight from San Francisco lands you at Mammoth Mountain on the eastern side of the Sierras.  At a higher elevation than the Lake Tahoe mountains, Mammoth often gets more snowfall and is a skiers/snowshoers paradise. Mammoth is also home to Mammoth Brewing Company, a fun and lively place to taste some good brews.





Yosemite National Park

Snow shoeing behind Tenaya Lodge

It is no secret that Yosemite is one of my favorite places on earth. We were just there with our nieces and nephew and one of them asked me my favorite time to be in the park. Without hesitation I said the winter. The fresh, clean snow and fewer crowds draws me back each season. The park looks so different covered in a layer of white and quickly makes you want to strap on a pair of snow shoes and go exploring.





If you live in California, please know how lucky you are to have so much nearby...the rest of us are jealous!

Moving on to Conquer the Everyday...Not Just Weekends!

As some of you may know, Dave and I have had a dream of traveling the world for many years. It's finally becoming a reality!  We start our official itinerary in January 2013 and have a new blog to document our travels: Do What You Want Trips. We're taking our "do what you want" philosophy global and our fun will no longer be limited to the weekends!

Head on over to the new site and check it out. It's just getting going so expect to see more posts as our planning kicks into high gear.

Before we leave, I have a mission of finishing all my planned Bay Area posts on this site.  We'll see what I can accomplish in the next few weeks.  I hope you'll continue to follow our journey around the world and also continue using this site to plan your weekend adventures!

Making the Most of a Lake Tahoe Weekend

October is my birthday month and as an indecisive Libra, I choose to celebrate the entire month as opposed to coming up with one great adventure on my actual birthday.  Last weekend marked our second annual Lake Tahoe trip for my big day and like last time I left feeling incredibly refreshed and ready to tackle another year.

While it wasn't a goal at the outset, the trip was an efficient Tahoe weekend with limited back tracking and maximum time around the lake - fitting in two hikes, a bike ride and a picnic on the beach.  My year is off to a good start.

First Stop: Heading into Tahoe with a Hike near Donner Lake

Sweet relief washes over us as we exit Highway 80 at Donner Pass Road. Leaving the semi-trucks and crazy drivers behind, we coast along the Sugar Bowl ski area in search of the Pacific Crest Trail. Turning in at the Sugar Bowl Academy, we see the sign for the PCT and follow the road down to the parking area. We're planning a moderate, altitude-acclimating 4.6 mile round trip hike to the top of Mt. Judah for 360 views.

It's our second hike on the PCT and I officially sanction us "section hikers" as we start walking up the rocky switchbacks. After this hike is over, we'll only have 2,645 more miles to go!

Fall leaves along the PCT near Donner Lake

The trail stays on the PCT for the first 2 miles and then veers left to connect with the Mt. Judah loop trail. I blame my slowness on the altitude and take ample breaks to look around the barren ski mountain.  Empty, stopped chairlifts hang above us and signs marking ski trails line the distance. In a couple of months, skiers and snowboarders will be flying down the exact spot where I'm standing.

We make the final push up to the top doing our best to lean into the wind and soon find ourselves rewarded with a fantastic lunch spot and viewpoint. Mt. Judah delivers.

View looking west from the top of Mt. Judah

Second Stop: Car(e) Free in North Lake

We're staying at the gorgeous Resort at Squaw Creek thanks to their seasonal specials (no way we could afford it in the winter). We decide to ditch the car for the day and rent bikes to take a stroll along the Truckee River - a resort employee-proclaimed "most amazing bike path in the world".

Unfortunately, my rented bike leaves me longing for my own bike which is sitting at home in the garage with a flat tire. Dropped chains and all though, we pedal onward heading into Tahoe City along what truly is a beautiful bike path.

Truckee River Bike Path near Tahoe City

We make it the five miles to Tahoe City and continue south along the path. A few minutes into the ride, we're rewarded with incredible lake views. Lake Tahoe is a quintessential mountain lake - crystal blue water sharply contrasted by the rising mountains surrounding its shores. We reach Sunnyside Resort on the West Shore just in time for lunch on their patio overlooking the lake.

The bike path leads us back through Tahoe City where we stop for the second year at the town's local Oktoberfest celebration. Tahoe Mountain Brewing Company has set up shop in the center of town and would also make a great stop during a ride.

Feeling warm from the sun and a few pale ale's, we head back to Squaw Valley as the sun starts to dip in the sky. The magic hour in the mountains is nothing short of extraordinary.

Final stretch back to Squaw

Third Stop: Climbing Higher for Even Better Views

On Sunday, we wake up early to miss the breakfast crowd at Fire Sign Cafe on the West Shore. With full bellies of their homemade cinnamon coffee cake, we hit the road in search of the Ellis Peak trailhead. The year before, we couldn't make it the seven miles up Barker Pass Road to the trail because of snow. We feel lucky this year that the snow has held off for one more weekend and we cruise on up to the dirt road parking area.

We've got six miles ahead of us this morning which will get us to 8,700 feet. I curse the altitude and my burning quads as we climb the first 800 feet. The trail is steep and rocky - a never ending incline until we reach the first major vista. The surrounding mountains look bare with no snow, but majestic as they loom over the landscape. The lake peeks through to the east and we continue on.

At the junction for Ellis Peak and Ellis Lake, we continue to the peak for one additional brutal climb to the top. We mistake the first path we see for the peak and climb the smaller of the two ridges. We quickly notice our error and I clumsily stumble down the rocks and make my way on a real trail to finally reach the top of Ellis Peak.

Lake Tahoe from Ellis Peak

Pictures do no justice to the serenity and beauty below. I feel extremely close to the sun and still present moon as I breathe deep.

A little crooked self portrait at the top of Ellis Peak

After we make it back down the mountain, we decide to continue around the lake to find a picnic area and exit Lake Tahoe near South Lake.

Last Stop: Baldwin Beach Picnic

Driving south, we have to trust our instincts in finding a good picnic spot. With no cell phone service or a map, we randomly choose Baldwin Beach. It ends up being the ideal capstone of an already great trip.

The beach is deserted except for a few small groups and we have a picnic area to ourselves. The $7 entrance fee seems a small price to pay for this peacefulness.

Baldwin Beach near Emerald Bay

Yes, my year is starting off really well.

If you go:

• Mt. Judah - the hiking directions on Weekend Sherpa are spot on and make the hike mostly a loop. 
• Resort at Squaw Creek - the resort still has Fall specials. This weekend (October 12-14) is the last weekend of their Harvest Festival. Friday night includes a free beer tasting and reception in the lobby.
• Bike rentals / Truckee River trail - if renting a bike, get one with gears. You'll want them, I promise! You can rent bikes in the village at  Squaw or at bike shops in Tahoe City if you're not staying at a resort.
• Ellis Peak - the trail is off Blackwood Canyon / Barker Pass Road, which is an unmarked road along Highway 89. No need to check out Ellis Lake, the peak steals the show.

In Search of the Great Pumpkin

The air is heavy and the fog hangs over Highway 1 as we drive south to Half Moon Bay on the hunt for the town's world famous pumpkins. The broken promise of sunny skies allows an eeriness to permeate the fall day and a sign offering Irish Coffee easily convinces us to pull over before we've even begun our pumpkin search.

Entrance to Cameron's Pub

The mid-morning crowd at Cameron's Pub are locals who only left the bar less than 12 hours before and are back for their breakfast libation. Our drink of choice is the advertised Irish Coffee and the warm drink in a mug from last year's Art & Pumpkin festival stops my shivers. Like many Half Moon Bay establishments during the fall, pictures and news clippings line the walls, sharing the predictions for this year's pumpkin crop.

We're on a mission for real pumpkins though, and have to say goodbye to the friendly bartender and the gentlemen at the bar. Outside, the weather hasn't changed and we continue further south.

A few miles away, we see our first sign for Bob's Pumpkin Patch. One mile more and there it is - a patch that even Charlie Brown would love.

Bob's Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay

It's a pumpkin farm, patch and store. Round, oblong and peanut shaped pumpkins line the hillside leading up to a real pumpkin patch. They're like sculptures, standing tall looking for an owner.

I'm sinking into the soft, loose soil as I roam the rows looking for my great pumpkin. Trying to not be a perfectionist, I consider a few with unique shapes but ultimately put them back down. Visions of a round, squat, orange ball keep me hunting for mine. I dodge parents taking pictures of their kids, parents coercing their kids into just choosing one and more kids barreling down the rows overwhelmed by the open space.

It turns out no pumpkin calls to me. What am I really expecting from a gourd? I get over my search for the perfect one and soak in the happiness of the little orange specks surrounding me. I grab a big, semi-round pumpkin that seems just enough and throw it into our wheel barrel.

Not even sure if that's the pumpkin I brought home

A picnic by the ocean gets scratched because of the dense fog so we head for the fire pits at Half Moon Bay Brewing. A tasty pumpkin beer awaits us. It could be a pure projection of the environment, but the pumpkin tastes fresh and flavorful. They sure know how to push their pumpkins here.

It's the opening weekend of pumpkin season in Half Moon Bay. The big show will happen October 13 and 14 at the 42nd Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. A large purse goes to the grower of the heaviest weighing pumpkin. Get there now (and early in the day) to beat the crowds headed for the World's Pumpkin Capital.

If you go:

• Cameron's is also a B&B - a bed & beverage establishment. Make reservations early here or any local lodging options during this popular month in Half Moon Bay.
• Bob's Pumpkin Patch is south of Half Moon Bay proper, on the east side of Highway 1. Dogs allowed. 
• Half Moon Bay Brewing is actually north of Half Moon Bay proper and in the El Granada area. 

Drinking in the Fun House

"Gin is really Vodka."

"Bourbon is really Whiskey."

"Scotch is really just Whiskey made in Scotland."

Huh?  Am I that uneducated about what I've been putting into my cocktails?

Turns out I was.  All the above facts and more were part of a seemingly innocent Saturday spent at the Willy Wonka-esque St. George Spirits in Alameda. Colin, our tour guide, continued to dish out nuggets of spirit wisdom during our entertaining 45 minute tour through the distillery's production facility in a converted airplane hangar.

Spoiler alert: Gin is really vodka, but enhanced with juniper berries. Bourbon is really Whiskey, but made with a certain percentage of corn. And, most strikingly simple but unbeknownst to me, Scotch truly is just Whiskey made in Scotland.

Start of the tour - learning the distillation process

St. George, most famous nationally for their Hangar One Vodka line, also produces a range of other spirits including Brandy, Gin, Whiskey and Absinthe (yes, Absinthe really legal). The tour covered the entire product range.

While a large facility, their production of spirits takes up a very small portion of the hangar. The tour led us on a journey of about 30 steps through the mashing, distillation, barreling and bottling processes.

We paired our Basic Training tasting with the afternoon tour. We chose to do our tasting following the tour so as the group dispersed, our names were called to belly up to the bar.

Tasting bar at St. George Spirits

The tasting room takes up the front portion of the hangar and the East Bay's finest were manning the bar. The tasting included small pours of 10 different spirits from Brandy through to Absinthe. If it looks like it was "down the hatch!", it's because it pretty much was. This is not a tasting for everyone - it's intense even for someone who really likes alcohol.

Raspberry vodka...yummy!

Some favorites of the flight included Hangar One's Raspberry Vodka, the three different Gins (Botanivore was delicious) and the Breaking & Entering Bourbon.

Absinthe, I quickly discovered, is an acquired taste. The star anise was overpowering and for someone who doesn't like the taste of black licorice, this was not my drink.  I really wanted to like it.

St. George's Absinthe Verte

While the tasting was intense, it was a hands-on way to understand how different ingredients in a spirit really alter the taste and complexity. If you go, I highly recommend doing the tour after the tasting to be a bit more in the know with what's in your glass.

The views of the Bay and San Francisco from St. George are fantastic on a clear day. There are picnic tables outside the distillery and you can bring your own food. You are not able to drink, however, at the tables. Bring some food, you will want to eat after this experience.

There are public transportation options to the distillery. Take one. Or bring a designated driver. There are also bike racks and Alameda, unlike the rest of the area, is flat.

Bottoms up!