Hi ladies! Been awhile. Quick update: we decluttered our whole house, especially the garage, and I now only clean the house once a week. We got rid of so much extra junk and now I don't mind doing the dishes or even letting them wait. Hubby did get a motorcycle, that we both agreed on. I still run my business, just during the holiday season and work outside of the home 3 days a week while kids are with grandma and daddy during his days off. Working outside the home has been amazing, allowing me to interact with adults and still be home with kids. Hubby actually happily makes dinner, cleans the house, and takes the kids to activities when I'm at work. Things are finally starting to settle and balance! So, we are now going to try and take our first ever trip without the kids. Never been away from them for more than work hours for the 5 and 3 years of existense. Originally, we had planned it as a family vaca, but with family offering to take the kids we decided to do adult only. We are going to Tahoe for 4 days and 3 nights, meeting up with childhood friends. Suggestions on things to do without kids? Definitely planning on sleeping in late, going to the hot springs, and going to nice eateries. Any other suggestions? Should we plan it out completely to maximise the aduly time or see where it takes us? Thanks for all of your advice ladies!
take some nice hikes too! beautiful place! We stayed at two different campgrounds around Lake Tahoe. Sugarpine, had these HUGE pinecones. Over a foot long, pretty cool lol.
Are you doing north or south shore?
The Hyatt in Incline Village has an amazing (yes expensive but worth it) restaurant that is so beautiful and romantic. Go there if you're on the north shore!
The town of Truckee has darling shops and good food and bars.
Emerald Bay is a beautiful place to hike.
The casinos on the Nevada side are pretty seedy in my opinion but can still be fun if you like to gamble. If you're staying on the south shore see if any of them have any good shows happening, sometimes they get big names.
Have fun, Tahoe is GORGEOUS!
Nice!! We have done this twice when the in-laws offered to watch our kids and both times it was amazing. Just not having to think about, oh are they hungry, is it time to fix lunch? Is it getting close to bedtime? None of that! We just did exactly what we wanted each day and walked to a restaurant to eat whenever we felt like it. A difficult hike little ones can't do. A quiet art museum where you can take your time. A tour that kids would find boring. There are so many great things you can do.
We've done this from time to time - we include shopping (I usually go with my friend, while the guys check out what they want to look at) because over that many days it's kind of nice to pair off with the pals and do a few things with them also - then we eat out, go for a walk, wherever we choose to go ... it will be lovely. Is there a show some live music there you'd like to see? We typically go out at least one evening to a pub or eatery with music. Is there a movie you'd like see? Sometimes being away is a good to time to catch one. I usually don't over plan. When we meet up with pals or travel with them, they usually have ideas too - so it balances out that we don't have to overthink or over-schedule.
Your progress has inspired me! I have to declutter. I find being home tiring at times too - getting out really helps. Good for you!
Sounds like you've made some fantastic changes, all for the better - great!
I wouldn't plan every minute - you need time to stop and smell the roses. Having time to stop at a scenic vista and take some photos, hike some of the wonderful trails, listen to the sounds of a babbling brook or catch sight of a unique bird in those big skies....that can be more relaxing than rushing from one event or "experience" to the next. Having a blanket and a couple of books in the car, and picking up some sandwiches during a day's drive, might be just great for breathing the fresh air for an hour or two.
To me, putting a little spontaneity into the trip and the relationship might be more restorative than the casinos, but that depends on your and your husband. I think rediscovering each other as partners and adults will be great. Keep track of how often your conversations steer towards the kids, and then steer that adulthood back onto the road! Try to at least go a full morning without talking about kids/jobs/house, you know? Otherwise, it's not a vacation!
I'm so glad things are working out so well for you!
Vacation is all about what you want to make of it.
If you're going in winter and want to be active - you can ski or sled with your friends.
There are climbing walls too.
Some would like the casinos, while others would like a spa.
The hot springs sound wonderful!
You don't have to plan every minute.
When I go somewhere I like to check out the brochure rack (every hotel has one somewhere) and see what looks interesting to see in the area.
4 days and 3 nights will go by quickly - don't try to squeeze in everything or you will need a vacation to recover from your vacation!
I'm just a couple hours away from Tahoe, so we go there a lot. Mamazita has a lot of great tips that I second (including the Lone Eagle Grille, Hyatt's restaurant ... reserve a table near the window). We definitely prefer North Shore to South Shore, but there are things to do in both areas. Consider doing a sunset cruise on the lake. You can also rent paddleboards and jet skis and have fun out on the lake, if you're going in decent weather.
I wouldn't plan too much. The nice thing about your vacation is that you don't have to plan around naps, cranky times, etc so just plan a few things and if something catches your eye you can do it.
