BEDKE MEMOIRS: From Gavin & Laura

We just came home (a few weeks ago...) from the biennial Bedke Family Reunion. This year it was up in Lake Tahoe. We had such a great time.

We arrived Saturday. That evening we visited with scarcely-seen relatives. It was so fun to catch up. Every evening was similar -- talking and playing card games together. We enjoyed re-teaching cousins to play "Hand and Foot" -- and game our grandma loved. Most nights also included a foot-zoning by my Aunt Joni. I feel that it really helps my muscle condition, and she willingly insisted giving me the zones every evening. Thanks so much, Joni!

The rest of the weeks activities went as follows (Sorry for being so factual -- this is my travel log that I may want to reference in the future...)

Sunday we went to church and relaxed -- for part of the day. It was my parent's turn to serve dinner to the entire family that night. Kristin and I were in charge of the dessert. So, we spent a few hours preparing that. We made trifles -- 1 fruit and 1 chocolate. They were quite delicious!

We stayed at the Ridge Tahoe Resort. It is about 15 minutes up the road from South Lake Tahoe, and the views from the rooms are absolutely spectacular. They had a lot of amenities there -- two pools, hot tubs on the roofs of the building, racquetball/wally-ball courts, rock climbing, miniature golf, and a disappointing "driving range".

Miniature golfing with the boys - Dad, Uncles Adam, Jacob, and Chris, Grandpa, and Jared.

I did it!

Monday we went swimming in the morning. Then that afternoon we went on a little hike. We went to Spooner Lake. It is about 15 minutes from South Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side. It was a a fairly easy trail, a little over 2 miles, scenic, and peaceful. Sydney walked it fairly easily. It cost $10 per car to park. Many from the extended family joined us on this hike. It was very fun to visit with everyone and hike at the same time.

Katie and Jared

Gavin packed Dallas around.

They had fun together.

Maybe a little TOO much fun.

Tuesday we headed over to Sand Harbor Beach. It was about 15 minutes from South Lake Tahoe on the Nevada side as well. This place was crowded already when we arrived around 10:30! It's a nice, finer-grained sandy beach. We had a great time swimming, floating on the lake, and laying in the sun. It was a great day until the wind picked up around 2 pm. (And -- why does that happen on bodies of water in the afternoon? The ocean, Bear Lake, Jordanelle, and now Lake Tahoe... ) This beach was $12 per car to get in. When we left around 2 pm, the entry gate was closed and had a sign that said it was full, so arrive early in the summer!

Gavin, our kids, Uncle Chris and Ryan enjoy the floats.

Kate, Avery, and Owen.

Family fun.

So sandy. Cute little saggy swimsuit.

Take a picture. Grandpa went to wade with Sydney. Not a normal thing. :)

Wednesday the uncles/aunts (dad's brothers and sisters...) pooled together and rented a boat. So, we all took turns going on boat rides. Those who wanted to went tubing off the boat. We opted for an early time, so we just went on the ride. The lake was choppy that morning, so we all got pretty wet. Dallas got splashed, shut his eyes, assumingly went to his "happy place" and slept almost the rest of the time. Sydney wasn't sure about it either. But, then we arrived at our destination -- Emerald Bay. We slowly made our way around the bay and Sydney enjoyed seeing the "castle" where a "princess must live!". It was beautiful to see Emerald Bay by boat. That afternoon we got back to the condo and went swimming.

In his "happy place"...

Sydney tried to find a happy place, too...

Gavin having fun at the front of the boat.

Uncle Dude, Mom & Dallas, Sydney & I, and Aunt Karen

When we slowed down, Sydney had more fun!

Beautiful Emerald Bay. The island in the center has a little tea house on the top of it.

Thursday we just relaxed at the condos. The kids took great naps that day. We enjoyed the activities at the condos some more -- mini golf, swimming, etc...

Takin' a nap.

MOST of the family that came... there were maybe 10 others that aren't in this pic.

Playing games.

The three brothers all wore a past family reunion shirt... on the same day... not planned. It was too funny! Uncle Jeff, Uncle Dave, and Dad.

Friday we went to Camp Richardson. They have a nice beach there with a marina that you can rent pedal boats and kayaks at. We took turns on the pedal boat. It was $7 per car to park, but if you bought a rental, they'd take $7 off, so it was like parking for free. We swam, floated on the lake, and relaxed. My dad cooked hot dogs on the nearby grills for lunch. It was the perfect activity to end such a fun vacation!