Change to The Road Less Traveled

Hi Friends,

This week I was able to change my route to Lake Tahoe so that I could deliver a few rolls of carpet to customers before a storm hit. But really I was excited to be able to travel on a road less traveled so I could see some new highway and take in some new sights while trucking down the road.

On Thursday, I was running an errand for my boss and was trying to stay ahead of a good sized snow/rain storm headed to Lake Tahoe. I had 2 customers that were getting carpet on Friday, so I bumped them to Thursday and headed up highway 50 to Lake Tahoe. I usually drive highway 80 over Donner Pass, but this gave me the ability to take in new vistas and get the job done better.

I left Sacramento and traveled East through Placerville and some amazing little towns like Apple Hill, Pollock Pines, Myers and then along the American River to Echo Pass. Once over the pass you descend down in the Tahoe Valley on the Southern Shore all the while taking in the vistas on this 2 lane mountain road (It starts out as a four lane highway in Sacramento and eventually turns into the 2 lane road).

Driving a truck is so cool and the country I get to see from behind the wheel is amazing. I loved this trip, but was sorry I missed Bridal Veil Falls along the way for a photo op. Sometimes I get in too much of a hurry to get down the road and forget to take five to see something beautiful. But there is always next time!

Here is a short slide show from this road for you.

Peace, Love and Bliss,

Don

It is Still Winter .. But We Are Getting Close to Spring

Hi Friends,

We had about a week of Spring like sunshine and beautiful days, now we are back to the Wintery snowy but still beautiful Nevada weather. Last week we took the horses out for a wonderful long ride at the equestrian park and this week we had big plans to get my riding lessons under way. Oh well we can get that started next week is the sun returns. This morning I took some video to share of the morning storm. At the time of the video, it was about inches deep, but has increased to about 8 inches this afternoon.

Life is indeed good in the valley ......

Until next time, make every day a great day and share a smile.

Peace, Love and Bliss

Don & Brenda

We Are in the Middle of a Great Winter!

Hi Friends,

We are smack dab in the middle of an amazing Winter so far. The last couple weeks have made some major inroads towards having plenty of water for all the lakes in the Reno area. Of course we can always use more, and with all the crazy growth that has been allowed the past few years, now we need considerably more water than before.

Winter and all that it brings is amazing and at times a bit challenging too. I made a couple videos of my experiences chaining up and crossing over Donner Pass in a big storm a week or so back. Hope you enjoy the video and come back from time to time to see what new adventure we are in the middle of.

Enjoy the rest of the Winter and share a story or two if you have a chance.

Peace, Love and Bliss!

Don & Brenda

A New Addition to the Blog

Hi Friends,

I got this cool Flip Video camera for my Birthday and have started to use it to document coolio things that happen in my travels. So the first trip out of the bag was a work day at North Lake Tahoe on Tuesday the 5th of January. It was a really pretty day and I just had to try out the new toy. So here it is....

Peace, Love and Bliss

Don & Brenda

Celebrating Pete's First Year

Hi Friends,

Today we are celebrating one year with our new friend Pete. Brenda first spotted Pete on Craigslist last November, with the help of a photo showing him playing with a big rubber ball. The photo had me sold from the beginning showing him as full of fun and personality.

In the past year Brenda and I have enjoyed many wonderful rides with Pete. He loves to go riding and always is the level head but still full of fun. He has taught me much about riding and horses and I learn something new every time we journey out.

So to celebrate the first year of life with our new friend Pete ... I started taking lessons from a Parelli Instructor today. I figured it was time to take real responsibility for his future and make his life better by improving my horsemanship. It was a great 2 hour lesson and I even have homework for Pete and I to work on before the next lesson.

Brenda and I are happy to have Pete with us and looking forward to many more years of fun and family rides.

Happy Trails,

Don & Brenda (and Pete)

Amazing Late Summer Day

Hi Friends,

As this amazing Summer comes to an end, Brenda and I spent Sunday out in the Equine Park with Pete and Dually. We knew it was probably the last hot sunny day we could get out with the horses and we were right.

We decided to take the horses out a couple of hours before sunset so we could seethe Sun and it fell behind Slide Mountain. What a great ride...

Pete and I had so much fun and seemed to really be communicating from start to finish. Has it only been 10 months since we became friends? I still have so much to learn but am determined to get all the knowledge needed to become a real horseman for him.

Brenda and Dually had a really great ride as well. They are still in the bonding stage too and have come along way as evidenced by the smooth fun ride today.

We walked down by Washoe Lake and Pete and Dually walked right in. Then they just continued down the lake shore in the water like it was nothing out of the ordinary. Pete was wearing his Easyboots and made some pretty good splashes that that made us smile. Maybe not so much for Brenda and Dually as they got the brunt of the spalsh. But is was hot and it felt good and we will remember it for a long time.

I couldn't help being proud of Pete and all that we have learned this Summer. I am sure he knows all the things I am just learning and has put up with my slow learning curve, but I am still proud of him.

So I guess this wraps up the Summer of 2009. Sad to see it go and trying to get excited about riding in Winter. I guess the learning curve continues.

Peace and Love,

Don & Brenda

Almost forgot, here are a couple of videos from the ride.

Lady Gets Out for Her First Ride

Hi Friends,

We got Lady back in February so Brenda would have a good horse to ride. After we got her we found that she had very tender front feet and she has been getting regular care from our trimmer (High Desert Hoof Care)to get her back in action.

Well today was indeed a great day as we were able to take her out for Brenda to ride for the first time. She was a little spooky at first as this was the first ride into the Equestrian Park at Washoe Lake. It was great to see her relax a couple of times and enjoy her ride.

Here is a short video from my Android phone to show you how goos she was looking.

Later...

Don & Brenda (Pete & Lady Too!)