Tourists - Are we or aren't we?

We've spent the weekend in Tahoe at the Baker's condo. It's not the first weekend and it won't be the last. The kids feel very much at home at the Tahoe Keys - beach, indoor pool, tennis courts, bike riding, skateboarding. Running the streets like they own the place. I don't really feel like a tourist here but I suppose, technically, we are. While walking today, I talked to a lady who lives here in Tahoe. She was saying how very crowded holidays are and how she would like to enjoy a holiday, too. Without the crowds. I feel her pain. Anyone who has had the misfortune to ride in the car with me has heard me yell at the "Bay Area idiots" who clog up the exits of Auburn, driving like they own the place. I told the nice lady this. She said "You know, I go on vacation. I just got back from Italy. But what I think is that I come home to one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Why do I leave?" I thought to myself - why do we not come more often? Mostly though, I realized (not for the first time) that we need to be very careful not to take for granted the beauty that surrounds us and how easily we can access places that are 'vacation destinations' for so many other people.

Earlier when teenagers were mouthy, Moms were tired, husbands grumpy I threatened to leave Tahoe tonight. Tate said "NOOOO! I love it here!" So we stayed for the fireworks over the lake. We stayed for movie watching & game playing. We will have to drive down the mountain with everyone else tomorrow. Even the Bay Area idiots who think they own every road. Before we leave, though, we'll enjoy one more morning with the cousins with Tahoe's beauty & cool breezes.