Bittersweet Goodbyes

The final day of our trip was really special. We took a trip to a local beach and spent the majority of the day just spending time together as a group. I had committed to getting in the water at least once on the trip and decided to join the group today in doing so. I ran into the freezing water and completely submerged. The water was crystal clear and refreshing. I rinsed the water through my hair and laid in the sun to soak up the uv. We had lunch at a local restaurant and talked about highlights of the trip and laughed. I had the realization that I had made so many new friends in such a short time. The chemistry of the group was something you don't find often. Not a single person was the odd one out the entire trip. We were all able to connect one on one with each other at some point in the trip and that was really unique. 

Before the trip started, Jess had sent a message about a potential opportunity to go horseback riding. I have been scared of horses for a long time but I wanted to experience new things. So today we rode to the stables and mounted our horses. My horses name was Fallon. She was named after the ranch that they received her from in nevada. She was a gentle horse and was very independent. At some point in the trip, we stopped the give the horses a chance to potty. Somehow, Annikas horse, Pencilton, got his tail stuck in the headpiece of Fallon. In an attempt to get free, Fallon swung her head and spooked Pencilton. In a panic, both horses detached and veered from the path. Me and Annika were very timid from then on. I am grateful for the experience and I am happy to say I did it once, however I probably wouldn't do it again. I nonetheless gave Fallon some thank you pats and said goodbye. We are ending the night together playing games and taking in our last time together.

Kayaking and Vintage Thrifting

 

This morning I woke up the girls to "Goodmorning:, by Mandisa. I would like to think that everyone has embraced the song but I did get a lot of rolled eyes and pillows over heads (Morgan). We arrived at our Kayaking destination and were all really stoked to get on the water. Me and Natalia claimed our boat and tracked out. I think our competitive spirit took over as we began to reach a lead in front of the group and find our pace. The best part of the entire outing was when Austin and Jake capsized their kayak. Jake shook his head in frustration and shock from the freezing temperatures on the lake. Nonetheless, we all ended up laughing about it on the drive back home. 

My feature story is related to thrifting trends in Lake Tahoe so we obviously had to make it out to some of the local second hand shops. One of the stores named Connies Clothesline Thrift Boutique, was full of eclectic and fashion "hots" for different decades. I came across two beautiful items that were 100% sillk. One of them was a vintage silk scarf from the 70s and it immediately called me. Another find was vintage J. Crew from the 80s. It was a special piece and it fit my style to a T. I knew I didn't have anymore room in my suitcase but had to take advantage of the lovely spirit and atmosphere of connie.

Horses and Beaches

I had the pleasure of visiting Sand Harbor beach today, located on the northeast shore of Lake Tahoe. The beach is claimed to be one of the most scenic and popular recreational areas in the basin, containing 55 acres of sandy beach and rocky coves. 

The view? Not disappointing in the slightest (a common theme in Tahoe). It was lovely seeing families of all ages flock to the beach, eager to play volleyball, frisbee, and other water sports. I particularly enjoyed watching the older couples plop down two chairs and stare out over the view. Perhaps that will be me one day.

We carried ourselves over to Zephyr Cove Stables, where horses of all different colors and patterns awaited. I was overjoyed to be riding a horse again, and despite my seasonal allergies, had so much fun with Tamale. Tamale was eager and steadfast, and I could tell he loved a good run. We traveled throughout the high Sierra wilderness for about an hour, and saying goodbye to Tamale crushed my heart. 

 Kayaking and Burgers 

When I kayaked in the past, I was a bit younger and more reserved. Canyon Lake provided a cute scenery and enclosed area to practice my skills, but was nothing in comparison to the vastness of Lake Tahoe. I wish I was more prepared for the arm workout I experienced.

I truly will never forget putting my paddle into the water and staring down into the clearest water I have ever seen. It felt like if I just reached down and skimmed my fingers across the water, I could touch every single rock beneath its depths. 

As we neared the shore, I looked towards our next endeavor - food. We visited California Burger Co., a bar/restaurant in Heavenly Village that was extremely pricey, yet delicious. I am an easy person to please when it comes to food, and that pesto club is a sandwich I will remember for a while. It reminded me of my dad making me a sandwich when I was little. 

Horseback Riding at Zephyr

 

Another highlight of my trip! After spending most of the day at Sand Harbor beach, we took a trip to Zephyr Cove Stables to do horseback riding. This was my first time actually riding a horse by myself with no one holding the reins. I was a little bit nervous at first, but I had an absolute blast from start to finish. The horse that I was assigned to was named Cowgirl. She was a total sweetheart and made the ride so easy for me. She wasn't very jumpy either, which was great because it wasn't too hard to record content while we moved.

Our guide was probably one of the coolest people I’ve met on this trip. I was in the front of the line, so I had the privilege of talking to her the entire time. We had the best conversations during the 2-mile ride, discussing everything from nature, traveling, celebrities, and the college experience.

© 2026 My Blog. All rights reserved.

Day 6: Last day in Tahoe

Today was our last full day in Tahoe and it was definitely one to remember. We left the Lodge around 8:00 a.m. and headed to Sand Harbor Beach. After dropping everyone else off Dale and I made our way to an e-bike rental shop. While we were there I was able to interview a few of the employees who were very knowledgeable about e-bikes and the local trails. It was great getting their perspective for my story.

Once we finished Dale and I hopped on our e-bikes and rode all the way back to Sand Harbor. The ride was a couple of miles long but the e-bikes made it feel effortless. After spending some time at the beach soaking up the sun and grabbing some food we made the scenic ride back to the rental shop before meeting up with the rest of the group.

The highlight of the day though was definitely horseback riding. When we arrived we were greeted by a few friendly instructors who helped us get checked in, sign waivers, and get ready for the ride. We split into groups and met our horses. I was paired with a horse named Brown Jug. He seemed a little nervous at first which honestly made me a little nervous too. Thankfully getting on the horse was easier than I expected. The instructors showed us how to control our horses, and before long we were heading down the trail. At first it took some getting used to, but once we got moving, I started to relax. As strange as it sounds, I felt connected to the horse because I was responsible for guiding him along the trail.

About 20 minutes into the ride, we climbed a hill and were rewarded with one of the most incredible views of Lake Tahoe that I've seen all week. Sitting on horseback and listening to musicr felt almost unreal. The rest of the ride was filled with beautiful scenery, laughs, and great conversations. Our instructor Talula was awesome and made the experience even more enjoyable.

It's hard to believe this trip is already coming to an end. I've loved the people, the adventures, the late nights, and even the assignments that came along with it. This has been one of the best experiences I've had in a long time and I'm grateful for every moment. A huge thank you to Jess and Dale for being so patient, supportive, and willing to put up with us all week. I'm going to miss this trip but I'm excited to stay in touch with everyone and hopefully go on another adventure like this in the future. Thanks Y'all!

LAST DAY IN TAHOE

Today was our final day in Tahoe. I wrapped up my last two interviews, soaked up some time at the beach, and then we headed out for horseback riding. I really enjoyed the peace of moving through the woods on my horse, Montana. The experience was surreal. Being surrounded by the beauty of the Tahoe forests, feeling truly at peace, and sharing it all with great friends who made this trip so worth it. The ultimate highlight came toward the end of the day when the group and I scored free Taco Bell, courtesy of Jessica. A perfect send-off. I learned so much on this adventure. I met nine incredibly awesome people who pushed me to be a better content creator and writer. I hiked trails, learned history, and truly deepened my understanding of the delicate ecosystem that the Tahoe Basin holds. I cannot wait to pick up right where I left off. Tahoe has a way of getting into you, and I have a feeling I left a little of myself here too.

Kayaking in the BIG BLUE.

The absolute highlight of my day, and of my week, was yesterday. We got up at 8:30 and traveled to the north shore. Once we reached the shoreline, we were given our safety briefing. I was assured that it was "almost impossible" to capsize the kayak, which I would later learn was untrue. Jake and I partnered up and quickly became professional rowers. We were in sync, gliding through the waves of North America's oldest lake. Mid-raft, a large shark-like creature attacked our kayak. Being the hero I am, I fought it off, though in the mayhem our kayak capsized. Jake and I quickly climbed back on, triumphant after defeating Lake Tahoe's largest predator. We made it back to shore as heroes, and celebrated the way heroes do: with a hearty American burger, a well-earned tribute to our great victory over nature.

Catching Sunrise

 

The earliest morning of the trip has given me some of my best content so far. Dale and a small group of us students left around 4am to catch the sunrise at Emerald Bay. I truly did not expect it to be as peaceful as it was. The air was cold, and we were exhausted from our all-nighter, but it was totally worth it. Aside from the sunrise itself, the beauty of nature all around us was an unforgettable experience. My favorite shots were of the mountains with cars winding down their paths.

When sunrise finally broke a little over an hour after we arrived at Emerald Bay, We all scrambled to get all of our photos and timelapses together. The process of adjusting to the change of light and different angles challenged me to think more creatively about the different route I wanted to take for each picture and video.

© 2026 My Blog. All rights reserved.

Lowkey in the middle of the lake

 The day started off with a beautifully morning the weather was amazing, I was going to try a new activity for the first time, which was kayaking, I have done something similar about two years ago, which was paddle boarding, but I have always wanted to kayak. 

We got to the kayak location, and every one was going to have double kayaks, I was really exited that I was able to team bond with one of my other peers, named Ashley since we are very much opposites , it was interesting to see how we would both work as a team on something that has the same rules and motions. So, on we were placed into our kayaks, the paddle boards were fun to experience with, I thought it would be easy to deal with the paddle boards and its correct motion, but I was wrong there are ways kayaking could be a bit confusing. 

We all took our pictures and were able to enjoy the view that was right in back of us, following along with the tour guide, who was giving us Lake Tahoe's history and explaining where it all started. Fun fact: Lake Tahoe's name came from the Washoe Native American word that translates to "edge of the lake", as well as going into depth in how the mountains basin creates Lake Tahoe's water clarity, being that the sediments and nutrients from the mountains. 

Overall, i'm glad my first kayaking experience was full filled with amazing people who also enjoy the views and nature just as much as I do. 

Horseback riding

 For our last day in Tahoe we went horseback riding! This was a great way to end the trip, it was very relaxing (for most of us), grounding, we got to see some beautiful views, and the overall experience was amazing. 

I'm not someone who goes horseback riding very often, this was the first time I've done it in a couple of years and whenever I do go horseback riding there is normally a person guiding me, I'm never left on my own to "drive" the horse. 

I was a bit nervous going into this, not because I'm scared of horses but because they can be a bit unpredictable and they're pretty big too and sometimes when they twitch or sneeze it kind of freaks me out. 

My horse Becky ended up being very sweet though, I'm pretty sure she got annoyed at me several times though. She was walking a bit slow and Jake's horse kept getting too close to her and annoying her, so I would try to make her speed up a bit and that's when she would get mad at me. In the end I learned that it was best to just give her her space, let her take her time, in the end she was the one that knew best and the one that walks that trail literally every day. She does things her way and I respect that. 

The trail was absolutely stunning and our guide Tallulah was amazing, she made the experience so much fun and was reassuring us along the way in case the horse was acting a bit weird, she helped keep us grounded and confident in what we were doing. We got to see some insane views of the lake and it was the perfect time when we went because the sun was already starting to slowly set so it gave the scenery a much warmer and radiant look. 

One Scary Moment, One Powerful Reminder

Facing one of my fears today was something that I did not know I would experience till it did. As some may know I am not much of an outdoors person, but I do enjoy trying new adventures and today was horseback riding. I am a person who has a very strong intuition when trying something i'm not familiar with. As me and my fellow peers were on the way to the horseback riding location, we were all so excited and curious on how the experience would treat us since most of us was our first time riding a horse. 

As soon as we get there we get divided into two groups, one of the workers pointed at me and said i'll be the one guiding everyone besides the tour guider, I was a bit nervous but they made me feel safe with describing the rules in depth in what to do and not to do. The route was about 3 to 4 miles long, during the first hour of our ride, we experienced a scary interaction involving two horses. We had stopped along the trail because our guide's horse needed a moment, causing all of the other horses to stand close together. While we were waiting, my horse's tail became tangled in the reins of the horse behind me. The situation quickly escalated, and my horse ended up kicking the other horse. In that moment, I nearly blacked out of how fast the situation was, I was very tense afterwards my body started to shake in fear that the horse would lash out again, but thankfully the guider reassured me through out the rest of the trail, which I am so thankful for due to the amount of fear I had. 

Facing something that could have quickly escalated into a dangerous situation definitely put my body into shock. Through out the rest of the trail ride, I focused on taking deep breaths and grounding myself while admiring the beautiful scenery that surrounded us. As I rode through the forests, I began to reflect on the fact that I had willingly participated in an activity that carried some level of risk. 

It reminded me of the many times I have discouraged myself in trying something new, only to realize afterward that most of my dears existed only in my mind. This experience has raised my confidence being immersed in nature after what I had just gone through made my experience more meaningful. 

Kayak Adventure

This day started off rough to put it lightly. We went to Emerald Bay at 4 a.m. to watch the sunrise and we had the brilliant idea of not going to sleep at all so we wouldn't have a hard time waking up. At the time it sounded like the smartest thing to do and not surprisingly it turned out to be the worst idea ever. I was running on 1 hour of sleep for the rest of the day, but the view and the photos I took made everything worth it in the end. 

After the Emerald Bay adventure in the morning I managed to fit in an hour long nap and then we were off to kayak. The drive there also ended up being an hour long so I managed to nod off every now and then. I’ve been kayaking plenty of times before at beaches in Mexico with my dad and I haven’t been able to kayak again in a while, so I was very excited. I’ve never kayaked on a lake either so it was a new experience for me. 

The actual kayaking experience was very fun. We got a quick demo on how to paddle and then we were loaded on to the boats (I almost fell). I was partnered with Natalie, she was the captain, and we got the hang of it pretty quickly, although we were out of sync at times we managed to beat Austin and Jake in a race. They then proceeded to capsize their kayak; it was a scene straight out of the Titanic. 

Throughout our kayak tour our guide was giving us a bit of history on Lake Tahoe, I ended up learning a lot of new things. We were all exhausted by the end of our adventure. My whole body was very sore and I'm pretty sure I have huge biceps now. 

Beach Sleeping

At 9am we left for San Harbor Beach. When we arrived it was a little bit chilly but spacious. I desperately needed shade because I was so burnt from the previous couple of days. I was so sleepy so all I wanted to do was lay down and nap. And I did. 

After waking up I started to read Frankenstein, I didn't make it too far in because I was distracted from conversations and the beautiful view. We all walked down the trail to grab some food, I got fish tacos and soft serve ice cream. I was seriously some good ice cream. The beach was so peaceful. I listened to the beach waves, the conversations. I felt the sand everywhere and continuously dug my feet into the sand. I love beaches and especially when its a lake beach. The sand here is more coarse and doesn't stick everywhere, I love it here. 

Connie's Cool Thrift Store

    After not finding much at the local goodwill we decided to stop by another thrift store that we found on maps and was recommended to us by a stranger. As soon as I stepped in I knew this would be a unique store. It was crowded but organized and everything felt in place while still be cluttered- that's how a good thrift store looks. 

    While Natalie did her interview, I got to walk around and shop while overhearing their conversation. Connie was super sweet and her vibe matched the store perfectly. She was excited and passionate and she loved her clothes. She wore a blue braided wig with puffballs, it reminded me of Thing 1 and 2. After admiring her collection I spent $75 on clothes and a bag. I got 2 striped shirts, a large crossbody bag, a skirt and festival short cover up. 

There was a corner of the store with only purple and cheetah print. I had never thought of putting these 2 together but it worked perfectly for what she was trying to do. Another cool aspect was the floating hats all above her shop. She had about 30 hats hanging from clear lines over the entirety of the store. I've never seen a store like that, it actually gave me inspiration for decorating my room. Speaking to Connie and supporting her business was the highlight of my day, I love fashion, shopping, small businesses and cool women like Connie. 

. 

A Ride To Remember

Between the views, trails, and my horse's personality, our ride today was anything but boring. When we waited in line to get our horse, the whole time I was thinking that it was going to be a simple horseback ride and everything was going to go as expected. After getting on my horse, Baddie, I quickly realized that I was wrong. The guides explained exactly how to make the horse move or stop and go left or right. I thought that would be easy. The issue is, Baddie did not want to listen to a word I said. 

I would pull on him to stop, and he would not. Sometimes, out of nowhere, he would start running. There was one point he went to lie down on the trail while I was on him, and I genuinely started freaking out. However, once we got more comfortable together, he started to listen (unless it involved going up to Jake's horse to sniff its butt, then baddie would not listen). 

The views on the trail were absolutely stunning, and there were even points where you could see Lake Tahoe from the midst of the mountains, and that was definitely one of my favorite views yet. 

Eventually, our ride ended, and once we got back, I realized that even though Baddie was difficult to work with, the experience was unforgettable and one of my favorites from the trip. I can’t believe today was our last day! I had an amazing time and met so many people that I hope will stay in my life for years to come! I wish we could stay for so much longer, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end eventually.

Beautiful Water and Even Better Company - Day 5

Dale Dog Counter: 7

Today we visited one of the most beautiful places I have seen during our trip, Sand Harbor. From the moment we arrived, it was easy to see why so many people talk about its incredible views. The water was a brilliant shade of teal, so clear that you could see beneath the surface perfectly, and the surrounding mountains created an absolutely gorgeous surrounding view.One thing that surprised me was the sand. Unlike the soft, powdery sand I expected, it was much harder and different from most beaches I have visited before. While it took some getting used to, it didn't take away from the experience at all. The beauty of the beach more than made up for it.

Although I was dealing with some pretty painful sunburns, I was determined not to let them ruin the day. Instead, I spent much of my time under the shade of the umbrella we brought, trying my best to give my skin a break from the insane sun(with a UV of 11 today, geeeeeez). Even with that challenge, I still had an amazing time. The best part of the afternoon was spending it with my friends. Whether we were talking, laughing, exploring the shoreline, or simply enjoying the view together, every moment felt special. There is something about being surrounded by beautiful scenery and good company that makes even the simplest activities memorable. By the end of the visit, I was tired, a little more sunburned than I would have liked, but incredibly happy. As we began to go home Morgan and I were talking and she said something along the lines of “Everyday is so good, I don’t think I could just pick one favorite” and I completely agree. This trip has been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life and I am so thankful I went a little out of my comfort zone and decided to apply to go on it!! 

Day 5: Upside down

Today was honestly a rough start for me. The night before I had the brilliant idea of trying to stay awake all night so I wouldn't have to wake up at 4:00 a.m. Unfortunately my plan completely backfired. I ended up falling asleep about 30 minutes before my alarm went off which made for a very rude awakening.

Despite being exhausted I climbed into the van with Dale, Emily, Morgan, Natalia, and Zoe as we headed to an overlook at Emerald Bay to watch the sunrise. We sat outside for nearly an hour and a half waiting for the sun to finally rise above the mountains. Everything seemed to be going perfectly until the worst possible moment. Just before the sunrise began, my phone froze and stopped recording. I was frustrated because I had been waiting all morning for that shot. Luckily Dale came through and let me borrow his phone so I could still capture the sunrise. In the end it was absolutely worth it. The view was incredible and watching the sunlight spill across the mountains and lake was something I'll never forget.

The main event of the day though was our kayaking trip. I was still half asleep during the drive there running on an empty stomach and a pretty sluggish attitude. Once we arrived though, things started looking up. Our instructors were super laid back and happened to be from New York which I thought was pretty cool. They taught us how to get into the kayak, paddle correctly, and what to do if we capsized. At the time I didn't think we'd actually need that last lesson. I teamed up with my friend Austin and we launched our kayak alongside the rest of the group. As we paddled across the lake our instructors stopped occasionally to share interesting facts and history about Lake Tahoe. The calm water, mountain views, and peaceful atmosphere were exactly what I needed to shake off my bad mood from earlier in the day. Of course that peace didn't last very long. Eventually things got competitive between the kayaks. Austin and I decided that we absolutely had to race everyone else for no reason whatsoever. What started as a friendly competition quickly turned into bumping kayaks and splashing water at one another. Everything was fun and games until a huge splash meant for Austin hit me instead leaving me somewhat soaked. Austin wasn't about to let that slide. He decided we needed revenge and started splashing back while bumping into the other kayaks just a tad bit too aggressively. Before we knew it our kayak was rocking side to side. We both lost our balance and suddenly we were upside down in the freezing lake.

The cold water knocked the breath right out of me. While Austin and I were trying to figure out what had just happened everyone else was laughing from their kayaks. At the time I wasn't exactly amused. Looking back on it now though, I have to admit it was pretty funny. Austin managed to make the best of the situation and even took some hilarious pictures afterward for his Instagram.

Thankfully we were able to flip the kayak back over and climb in without too much trouble. The trip back to shore was much less competitive and we successfully avoided flipping a second time. To make things even better our instructors informed us that our accident was the first kayak capsize of the season. Completely soaked and wearing my only set of clothes I climbed back into the van for a very damp ride home. Even though the day didn't go exactly as planned I still had an amazing time. The cold water was surprisingly refreshing and the memories we made were worth every second. Now I'm finally dry, finishing up assignments and getting ready to head to Heavenly in search of an cheap sushi restaurant. At this point I'm starving and could easily eat an entire plate of spicy California rolls by myself. Even with the early wake up call, technical difficulties, and unexpected swim in Lake Tahoe, today reminded me how lucky I am to be here. I'm surrounded by beautiful scenery, working on projects I genuinely enjoy, and sharing the experience with an awesome group of classmates. It's hard to believe we only have two days left so I'm determined to make the most of every moment and I’m thankful to be alongside some really great classmates for the ride.

Lots of Laughs on The Lake - Day 4

 Dale Dog Counter: 15

Today's kayaking adventure easily had to be one of the most entertaining activities on the trip. What started as us peacefully making our way out onto the water quickly turned into friendly competition and splashing each other with our paddles. As we made our way into the lake on the tour, everyone got settled on their kayaks, but it really didn't take long for friendly competition to begin. We all started challenging each other to races, sharing a bit of banter, and finding excuses to splash each other with the paddles. Through all of this, Emily and I worked to find a rhythm together, laughing along with our group. 

One of the funniest moments of the day involved Jake and Austin. After teasing each other and us splashing them a few times, they became determined to get Emily and me soaked. Unfortunately for them, their attack did not go as expected. In their attempt to drench us, they lost control of their canoe and ended up flipping it completely. Instead of Emily and me ending up in the water, Jake and Austin were the ones taking an unexpected swim. Watching them come out of the water and onto what is supposed to be the bottom of the boat while everyone burst into laughter is definitely a moment none of us will forget anytime soon.

Late Night and Early Morning Memories

Some experiences are worth sacrificing sleep for, and watching the sunrise over Emerald Bay was definitely one of them. The night before we went, the few of us who decided we wanted to be out of the house by 4:15am to watch the sunrise figured it’d probably be best if we just stayed up all night talking so that way we didn’t have to worry about missing it. Honestly, it was a truly enjoyable night; many deep conversations were had, relationships deepened, and memories were made. Some wake up calls had to be made, which were genuinely hilarious and involved sheer panic (which has made me laugh every time I think about it). Before we left, we took a quick peek at the stars from the patio and omg!! They were so insane.

Once we were finally on the road, it took about 20 minutes to get there, which put our arrival at around 4:30am, just an hour before sunset. The exhaustion was catching up to us, so we were all extremely giggly and delusional.

As the sun started to rise, we finally got to experience what we lost our sleep for, and it was so worth it. We got the content needed for the day, and shared a memory that will last a long time. With only having one and a half more days, I hope were able to continue to make more memories together, not only in the trip but long after as well.

Day 4: Taking my own path

Today was one of my favorite days of the trip so far. We started the morning at Taylor Creek where the scenery was absolutely incredible. Mount Tallac stood in the background and the views made it feel like something straight out of a postcard. As we began exploring the area I may have "accidentally" split up from the rest of the group. While everyone else continued on the main trail I found myself wandering off to capture as much footage as possible for my story and social media content.

After a while I ended up back near the trailhead and decided to take a different path. This trail led down toward the lake and the views only got better from there. The water was crystal clear and there were several sandy spots along the shoreline that looked like perfect places to relax. I also came across a set of stairs leading down to the water which made for some great photos and videos.

Along the trail I saw plenty of dogs enjoying the outdoors with their owners. One of the highlights of my day was meeting an elderly man who was riding a Class 1 e-bike. He told me he uses it because of a hip condition and I was able to interview him about his experience. It was interesting to hear how e-bikes allow people like him to continue enjoying the trails and spending time outside. As I continued exploring I stumbled across a cabin that looked surprisingly inviting. Curious, I walked over to check it out and discovered that it was actually a museum. Inside I learned about the Washoe Tribe, the history of Taylor Creek, and saw a collection of super cool antiques and artifacts.

The museum was much more interesting than I expected and I spent so much time looking around that I completely lost track of time. Before leaving I stopped by the gift shop and picked up a few souvenirs and treats for my friends. That's when I realized I had a problem. Everyone was already back at the van waiting for me. I took off running and quickly learned that the altitude in Tahoe is no joke. About halfway back I was completely out of breath and wheezing but I kept going. When I finally made it to the van I was greeted by a chorus of boos from the group. Luckily, everyone forgave me once I handed out the candy and gifts I had bought. I had an amazing time exploring Taylor Creek and the Rainbow Trail. Between the beautiful lake views, the wildlife, the museum, and the people I met along the way, it was a day I won't forget anytime soon. Now it's time to get some sleep because tomorrow's alarm is set for 4:00 a.m. so we can catch the sunrise. Even though it's going to be an early morning I can't wait to see what another day in Tahoe has in store.

Lake side artistry

The highlight of my day was painting by the lake. We headed to Tahoe Keys Beach to begin our water painting careers, with Tamara Richey as our instructor. She prefaced the session by reminding us that we were just beginners, and not to feel bad about our paintings. I started my first sketch, penciling in mountains and a waterline. I quickly realized I was no Michelangelo Buonarroti. I was just Austin Hays. After my ego death, I locked in and created my masterpiece. It wasn't nearly as good as Jake's, but that was okay. Still, I wasn't fully pleased with the result. So I began my second and ultimate work of my career. This sketch was even better. I used different techniques to push the painting further, and by the end, it was perfect, at least by my own standards. I walked away feeling accomplished, both with my work and with my brief but storied career as an artist.

Letting the lake paint its colors through me

Reconnecting with nature through watercolor 

Reconnecting with nature every day has been both therapeutic and refreshing. Today, we had the opportunity to experience something that many people do not get to do regularly, especially since we come from a state that is not surrounded by many lakes. 

One of my favorite highlights from today’s itinerary was watercolor painting by the lake. 

I enjoy arts and crafts. I was excited to participate in an activity that combined creativity with the beauty of nature. We were guided by a local artist, Tamara Richey, who took the time to guide us through this calming experience. Sitting by the lake and listening to its natural sound of the water, helped me focus on what view I had a connection with to use it as my picture painting, the peaceful atmosphere made me feel present in the moment. 

I ended up going with a mountain that caught my attention, and I decided to use it as my focus painting. As time passed, we continued working on our artwork while also capturing content that we could use for our class projects.

By the end of the session, we had completed our paintings, and I was able to gain a deeper appreciation for the natural beauty surrounding us. Overall, I felt very grateful for the opportunity to experience such a peaceful and therapeutic activity, being able to connect with nature through art made today a memorable experience that I will always appreciate.