A few weeks ago I was invited to visit North Lake Tahoe as part of a Kred Rewards program (read more about what Kred is here). It had been nearly fifteen years since I had been to the Lake Tahoe area, and even then, it was only to South Lake Tahoe.
What a mistake that was.
Only a few hours away from the San Francisco Bay Area (for me it is 3 depending on traffic) is a magical place. A true escape. I was instantly transported back to my winters in France and Switzerland at the foot of the Jura mountains and just a stone’s throw from the Alps.
Snow makes everything beautiful and there has been plenty this year. But even without snow there are so many things to do both indoors and out you’ll find plenty of reasons to keep coming back throughout the year.
It reminded me of a very important lesson, you don’t have to travel very far at all to be in a whole other world and to escape your daily life and routine.
How about you? Do you have a magical spot in your backyard?
P.S. North Lake Tahoe is hosting a photo contest in January. You can win lift tickets, a new winner each week!
I have never been to Lake Tahoe… but I know I would love it… xv
No magical spots in my backyard. Not like this anyway. I have been wanting to visit Lake Tahoe for some time now! It’s hard to decide whether to go when it’s cold or when it’s warm because both look like beautiful options!
no real special magical spot in my own backyard, just a couple cows..hehe… would sure love to visit lake tahoe
I love Lake Tahoe. The ski resort has dry powder snow.. the best kind to learn to ski in.. no slush rarely ice, best right after a snow. Tahoe Wabo is awesome on the Nevada California border. I met Aaron Hagar there and saw Sammy in concert on fathers day 2007. They have Shakespeare on the lake and beautiful boutiques. Excellent vacation get-a-way anytime of year… i live 1.5 hrs north of Sacramento.. so i have City life south and Mountains 2 hrs north. love my backyard..
I have no magical spot in my back yard.
Living so close to NYC, I sorta consider it my backyard. I find it a a wonderfully intoxicating and magical place.
I can’t say it’s quite in my backyard, but my favorite spot out of them all so far is my Aunt’s cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. It’s so peaceful and I just LOVE it
I hope to be able to travel one day and see more places though!
wow, your pictures are stunning! i wish i could go visit!
I live in North Carolina. We have the mountains in the west, the beaches in the east, and a whole lot of pretty countryside in the middle.
We have a lot of magical spots around here. I live in southwestern Washington state on the coast.
I have a trail behind my house that leads to a small river. In the winter we sled down the hills to the river and then ice skate the frozen river. In the summer we picnic and fish there. Its great
We have a state park with a lot of nice trails, mountains and waterfalls
My husband and I were fortunate to visit there a few years ago in the Spring. We were visiting Vegas and decided to take a day to visit the Lake. The scenery on the drive over was gorgeous and even though it was May, it snowed lightly and there was snow on the mountains.
Wow, it’s so beautiful there! I grew up with snow and moved a little bit away and never see and I miss it so much! I would say going back there to visit and get away would be my magical backyard spot. It’s only an hour or so away and beautiful this time of year.
@Jess, I miss snow too! It really makes things truly magical. BUT I suppose if you live in a spot where you get it all the time, you might get tired of it!
I like how you write, it’s so inspiring
Lake Tahoe is so beautiful. I went back to visit last year after a 10 year absence. Just watching the sun set over the lake is an awe-inspiring experience. And the giant pine cones. Love those.
Living in Colorado has some of the same “beautiful backyard” features. I can’t see the mountains from my house, but a quick bike ride takes me into Cherry Creek State Park lets me enjoy water, deer, and a view of the mountains….forgetting that it’s a major metro area.
I’ve never lived anywhere without snow. What’s that like?
@Jenni, I have only been to Colorado once – and need to go back – and it was gorgeous! There are several spots I want to visit: Boulder, Colorado Springs, skiing, hiking, tons! What’s it like without snow? Boring! I miss living in spots where there are four seasons!