Wood Woods In USA: May 2008

After all the road trips and a fleeting trip home to visit family and friends in Australia. Darren and I decided it was time we tried out some new and old favorite extra curricula activities.

Activity ONE: Skiing
Location: Lake Tahoe (Trip Photos)

Lake Tahoe is three hours north of San Francisco - a pristine lake surrounded on all sides by the Sierra Nevada Mountain range.

For Darren it was like riding a bike – one of those things you just never forget. Within 5 minutes of jumping off the ski lift he was cruising like a pro.

Then there was me..... But hey!!! I was a first timer.
10:30am - I hit the Slopes
10:45am - I was pretty much over it.

However, I persevered and by 1pm I was pretty proud of my obvious natural talent on the slopes. Was I the slowest on the slopes? Hell Yeah!!!

Fast forward a few hours later – and my very sore little arms had never felt so much pain.

That was kinda weird, it wasn’t like I was using any different muscles than those I use for all my domestic duties: mopping, sweeping, ironing, carting laundry baskets – hahahahaha - Such a shock that the muscles weren't ready for an activity such as skiing. Or was it????

Exploring Lake Tahoe and crossing the border to the State of Nevada "mini Las Vegas" was a fun weekend spent with our Desolation Sound Companion – Ryan “Sleemo” and July.

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In between sporting activities we journeyed back to embrace the 80’s and Living on a Prayer at a Bon Jovi concert in San Jose…. And having fun a little closer to home at a Crowded House gig.

So after all the loud amplified music it was time for some peace and tranquility.

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Activity TWO: Kayaking
Location: Moss Landing

We had so much fun in the inflatable kayaks at Desolation Sound that we decided we needed our own. Bring on a birthday surprise. Darren bought spunky new kayaks for my birthday, it was finally time to try them out and fingers crossed there weren’t any holes.

My friend Margaret and our hubbies took a trip to Moss Landing – Elkhorn Slough.
Population – Large numbers of very cute Sea Otters and many enormous Sea Lions.

So I am able to provide these photos of the day because even though no one recommended I take my camera I knew I had the skills not to capsize my kayak.

Mental Note: After successfully surviving the kayak trip remember to take the camera out of the life jacket pocket before giving the jacket a wash and rinse…. “Oh Melly – You’re so Silly”

UPDATE: The camera survived
ADVICE FOR OTHERS: Just don't turn it on until DAYS later when the camera is completely dry.

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So with the “exercise” activities out the way it feels about time for another road trip. Tomorrow we leave on a Memorial Day Weekend from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, Washington.

Speaking of taking a trip, Darren’s precious new “but old” car the Mercury Cougar is set to sail the big seas for Sydney. A friend Luke took some snazzy shots of the Cougar before it left. Sweet memories in case the cargo container tips into the ocean. (Photos Here)