Over the years, the landscape started changing at Fallen Leaf. Someone figured out how to get around permits restricting structural size, and suddenly all the quaint rustic cabins were rebuilt into tiny mansions. Property prices started rising, and with that, taxes.
When my father passed away 10 years ago, various family members found it too difficult to maintain the property and expenses. So, it was sold for a hefty sum. I cannot lie--at the time, it was awful to lose such an important part of our family history. I can still smell the wood of the cabin, the funny scent of the tiny kitchen and back porch. I can feel the sooty soil between my toes, and the occasional needle sticking into my feet. The cool air rushing up the hill from the lake.
This year, we decided to mark the 10 years of my father's passing, and celebrate his birthday, by visiting South Tahoe and Fallen Leaf Lake. Over the years, I have learned to let go of material objects--accepting that they themselves are not a person, nor a memory, and that those things will always live on in our hearts. When we first arrived in Tahoe, we drove straight to Fallen Leaf Lake and parked at the cabin (I am so glad no one was home). It still stands there, missing many trees, railings, and awnings. It looks smaller now, but it is still there, as is 'The Little Cabin' and the wooden tent. I don't know how long it will last--families now expect more comfortable structures, and it is tiny at best.
We visited the Memorial Garden at the St. Francis Cathedral, where my family's plaques are. I love my family so deeply and am proud of where we came from, who we are. It was great to see them all memorialized in a place that is so beloved. I showed the hubby where we used to play in a river, and where the store was.
We spent the next few days with my Aunt and Uncle near Lake Tahoe, going on day hikes each day, and having dinner with them each evening. They are wonderful people.
On my father's birthday, August 24, Dave and I woke up early to a breakfast made by my Aunt Sue, and headed off to Mt. Tallac. It took us 5 hours to get to the top which, considering the wildfire smoke that was irritating my asthma and a short acclimation period (2 days!), is not bad at all. Coming from Portland which is at about 500 feet elevation, and jumping to 6,300 feet is an adjustment. Then ascending a peak which is 9,738' is no small feat. As a reward afterwards, we may have scarfed down plates of chili cheese fries at the Fallen Leaf Store (we totally intended to just get ice cream and coffee...oops).
The next day, we drove southwest to San Francisco and spent the next few days exploring during the day and hanging with my oldest brother in the evenings. His apartment is full of different family heirlooms, which was really nice to see. It was like being steeped in history. This was also Dave's first time being in San Francisco, which was really fun. We walked a lot each day, mostly because we were impatient and didn't want to bother figuring out public transportation.
The highlight of my visit to San Francisco was definitely visiting Velvet da Vinci for the first time, and getting to see the CoOperation:Garnish exhibition in person. What an incredible selection of work! Not only that, but the exhibition by Jo Pond is stunning. We also got to meet up with the lovely Amy Tavern for a visit before she started Grad School!
The drive north was rather hurried, and we didn't get to stop at as many places as we'd liked, but it was worth it to spend time with family and friends. We visited my cousins in Mill Valley, and I finally got to see where my Aunt Nancy Chandler had lived, as well as a lot of her artwork. Near Eureka, we visited Dave's oldest brother as well.
And now, we are home. The kitties are obsessed with us, and we are settling back into real life.
CONVERSATION