California Day 6 - Emerald Bay

Our last day in Tahoe was our hiking day. First, breakfast, the most important meal of the day - sausages, fruit and I think that was scrambled eggs, spinach and potatoes.

Before we headed out on our hiking journey a few of the cousins went out for a bike ride around the lake, so Phil and I went out for a walk by ourselves. We mostly just visited some of the spots we had been to on that first day we went out sight-seeing, but it was nice and relaxing.

Once all the cousines re-gathered at the cabin we headed out to Emerald Bay State Park. On the way we hit a particularly windy stretch of road. It seems kind of dangerous to have such a curvy road when you're so high up in the mountains...but I guess since you're on a mountain it can't really be helped...

But we made it to our destination safe and sound.

We stopped to take a short break. Phil and Lea were just hanging out on a rock.

While Kevin found himself a walking stick.

After our short break we made our way to a lookout point where we could take some pictures.

Everybody wants to hold the baby already and he's not even out yet.

We hopped in the car to try and get a better view. Although the view even from the car was pretty nice.

We found a good spot by a small waterfall. There were little waterfalls and streams everywhere from the melting snow running off the mountain tops.

We drove a little bit further down to Vikingsholm. A 38-room Scandinavian mansion that the Emerald Bay area is apparently well-known for. Before making the hike down to the mansion we stopped by the lookout point at Vikingsholm.

The cousins at the top of the rock!

With Phil's help I was able to make it to the top of the rock to join the rest of the cousins, and enjoy the beautiful view.

After coming back down from the rock we started down the trail to the Vikingsholm mansion. Lucia, Ray and Kevin are all ready with their walking sticks.

Having the extra weight of the baby definitely slowed me down a little. The cousins stopped to wave hi from down below while Phil and I tagged along in the back.

But we all eventually made it to the bottom. Yay!

By the time we got to the mansion it was too late to take a tour, so we just enjoyed the view from the outside. Not bad for a house built in 1929.

And the view in front of the house isn't too shabby either. I wouldn't mind living there.

And then after some sword fighting with the walking sticks...we headed back up the mountain.

The hike back up the mountain was definitely harder. I blame the high altitude, but I'm sure the extra baby weight didn't help. We tried to take a shortcut near the end of the trail that ended up being steeper than we thought. Good thing I had Phil and Winnie (and the walking stick) there to help. ^__^

Everyone back at the top of the mountain in one piece - mission accomplished!

Next we headed back towards the area near the cabin for some dinner. We went to a restaurant called Bridge Tender, which according to reviews online was supposed to have awesome garlic fries.

They had to split us up into 2 tables. We ended up with all the single cousins at one table and all the couples at the other.

Of course with the reviews online we had to order their garlic fries, and they were surprisingly good. I was tempted to order more, but I could barely finish my meal as it was.

I ordered the chicken ceaser wrap, which was only so-so.

Phil ordered the burger since the menu said it was the BEST burger (in Tahoe city...). I don't think it quite met Phil's expectations, but really how many burger places could there really be in Tahoe city?...

After dinner we headed back to the cabin for some apple pie and ice cream!

And a nice relaxing evening of video games. A good way to wind down from all the hiking.