2012 Part the Second

TAHOE 2012

 Ok, had to post a few more pics. The one above is from Mt. Pluto in Tahoe. I've only stayed in the north rim of Lake Tahoe. The skiing up there is fantastic and as Maria is still new to the whole snow cold and skiing thing we usually end up staying at Northstar which has become my favorite thus far. If you get up in the morning and go to the top of Mt. Pluto (8617ft / 2626m) you can begin skiing on a ridge that heads towards the lake. In the mornings the lake is usually shrouded by a veil of fog that gradually dissipates as the day progresses. In my opinion it is one of the best views of Tahoe.

This time up there we managed to find a really good deal - if you go to the Ritz Carlton's website and go their "package deals" you can get a room on the weekdays with a 14 day advanced purchase that is only $50 more a night than staying in the village of Northstar below. If you factor in the fact that you can ski-in and ski-out from the hotel and that its amenities are incredible it helps justify the cost. Other than that - as I always recommend - bring your own supplies (i.e. snacks, water, etoh) as the hotel charges an arm and a leg for its own perks.

Wilderness Medicine CME - Kauai!

    A few weeks later, in April, we signed up for the Wilderness Medicine CME. If anyone out there is into any form of hiking or camping this is a must! The lectures are some of the best I've ever attended. The people giving the lectures have excellent insight and remarkable stories.

     The picture above is from The Waimea Canyon. It is the "Grand Canyon" of the Pacific. We got up early, packed up our food, and drove for an hour to get here. The path up the canyon ridge was pleasant and as we rounded the top to get to the tourist viewpoint we found the whole area completely covered in clouds. It obscured the view and left us staring at a cloud. Which of course made the whole effort completely ludicrous. So naturally I began laughing at it like an idiot and then ran around asking all the tourists what they thought of the view - which to me was funny. Here is the website, in case you are interested in knowing what it really looks like:

http://www.gohawaii.com/kauai/regions-neighborhoods/west-side/waimea-canyon

     I think that one of the best parts of the trip, was having my friends along. Both Chase and Airi joined us for this one. We managed to get in some hiking and rented a car to go check out the Island. Heres a picture of the two in a cute upstairs restaurant that we ate at on our way to Princeville. Granted, we didn't exactly make it all the way up there. Along the way we got distracted at the northern light house. We pulled up along side a group of locals who were watching the sunset and decided to join them. Sometimes its not about the destination but the journey. 

     Later that trip Maria and I rented some everlights - think lawn chair attached to a lawn mower engine propeller attached to a hang glider - which is arguably one of the most dangerous things one can do (I'll post pictures later). Chase joined Airi for surfing where the board caught him off guard and he broke a rib or two. I have to hand it to the man, dispite that he walked away from this trip smiling. 

     The convention was at the Grand Hyatt - which is located on the southern portion of the Island along Poipou Beach. Its a nice enough location - but reminds me of Disneyland along with all the other resorts, not to mention that the prices around here are insane! I felt that the locals avoided this locale like the plague. 

     Next time, I think I'm going to rent a beach house on the northern end of the Island near Princeville. That area seems to have a great deal more of charm. Plus I can get a place where I can make my own meals. 

Here's a pic of me and the little one on a hike to the interior of the Island. The views are amazing and Kauai is now my favorite Island. That said, I think staying more than a week would have driving me crazy. Ok - now time to make some coffee and start my day