Lake Tahoe offers fantastic opportunities to hike, mountain bike, and snowshoe. In South Lake Tahoe, you’re on the threshold of the El Dorado National Forest and can easily access major trailheads - including this trail to "Easy Money Overlook". We call this short, year-round hike “Easy Money”. Why? It provides breathtaking, “money-shot” views but is an easy 15 to 20-minutes from the trail head. DIRECTIONS
The trail is just a small portion of the Powerline trail that covers many miles through the El Dorado National Forest. If you continue east beyond Easy Money, you’ll arrive at Heavenly Ski Resort’s California Lodge in about ¾ mile. If you start at the April/Edna trailhead but bear right (west) instead of left, you can hike for miles to Cold Creek or to High Meadow Trail which offers views of Job’s Peak, Job’s sister, and Freel Peak in the Carson Range.
Happy hiking! Wishing you only good times on every trail you travel.
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6/10/2020 0 Comments Four Vital Needs for VacationsDid your last vacation leave you refreshed or drained? Satisfied or blue? Feeling blessed in your relationships or bitter about the people with whom God has smote you? Vacation success or failure depends on understanding four human needs.
Obvious, right? But surprisingly, on vacation - in unfamiliar surroundings and situations - these four needs often get neglected. Here are eight real-life examples.
No food, no water, no warmth, no rest = No Fun. Maslow did try to warn us.
Maslow may need to add a whole other level for this. Wishing you Only Good Times!
6/4/2020 0 Comments Running on Empty? Try This!
But the worst “low battery” is when we run out of juice in our spirit. During challenging times, many of us find our batteries getting low. Things that give our lives juice –friendships, travel, work, entertainment, fitness, so much more – may be drastically changed or unavailable. Has your battery level dropped? Are you running on empty? A different kind of bucket list may help.
For example, we love travel but Covid-19 restrictions are keeping us home. We add to our “travel” bucket by watching videos we made of past vacations and camping trips. We also soak up travel programs such as Win the Wilderness: Alaska on Netflix, the soothing chug-along Travels by Narrowboat on Amazon Prime, and The Horn featuring stunning helicopter rescues in Zermatt. We make a point to watch these videos so our “travel” bucket isn’t empty. Does a video replace kayaking in Kauai or hiking in Yosemite? No, but it lifts our spirits. It reconnects us of the beautiful, exciting world we live in. And it inspires us to stay healthy and in shape for our next adventure. Another thirsty bucket is our weekly “lunch with family after church”. With current restrictions, we watch church online and join for a virtual lunch on Google Hangouts after. Does it replace hugs or zingy conversation around a shared table? No, but it keeps us connected until we’re together again. Any challenging time can drain the batteries. Three years ago, I broke my wrist ice skating. After a few days in a cast, my “fitness” bucket was begging for something, anything. So, I gingerly attempted my usual Pilates routine with my arm resting against my torso. Most of the workout was achievable, even with one useless limb. A sense of relief and empowerment flowed through me. I did what I could in the moment and felt like myself again. The point is to put something in each vital bucket regularly. Do it with intention. Do it for yourself. If you don’t, your battery could get plugged into the wrong energy source such as poisonous media that fuels rage, harmful substances to numb pain, or thoughts that lead to depression. Amazingly, on the Eiffel Tower that July night, we did have extra batteries to share! Maybe a sunset photo from Paris is lifting the spirits of that young couple today. In the same way, if you’ve got a little juice to share with someone who needs it right now, please do. Friends, hang in there. South Lake Tahoe has announced it will ease travel restrictions in mid-July. Maybe it’s time for you to book a well-deserved family vacay, summer adventure, or nature retreat. As you make your bucket list, enjoy these photos from May in South Lake Tahoe. Wishing you Only Good Times!
One of the best things you can do to improve your health is also one of the simplest – get outdoors! From Scottish doctors prescribing nature therapy to shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) in Japan, health professionals are urging people to spend time in nature for phenomenal health benefits. Hundreds of studies document how a dose of nature reduces stress, body mass index, fatigue, asthma symptoms, blood pressure, negative effects during cancer treatment, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. Just being in the great outdoors improves mood and mental clarity. People with ADHD focus better, a whopping 71% of people suffering depression experience improvement, and 90% enjoy increased self-esteem.
There’s no better place to soak in nature than beautiful Lake Tahoe. Need evidence? Bliss out with this gorgeous video by Expedia (just seven and a half minutes long) to see why Tahoe is a world vacation destination and national treasure. Then book a stay at Only Good Times where you’re ideally located to enjoy it all. Wishing you wellness and only good times! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1ewbghHOP0
MELT DOWN: First, distract the kids with a movie. Then toss every chocolate bunny, coin, or egg into a fondue pot, double boiler, or microwave (at 50% power) to melt them down. Serve with strawberries and bananas for chocolate fondue.
S’MORES FOR YOUR PEEPS: Peeps are basically sugar-coated marshmallows – perfect for a twist on campfire s’mores. Make this untraditional version in the traditional way: A graham cracker topped with a chocolate bar topped with a melted marshmallow peep topped with a graham cracker. S’mores made with peeps are colorful and the heated sugar coating caramelizes for a sweet, crunchy finish. JELLY BEAN BISCOTTI: Use leftover jelly beans to make this delightful “stained glass” biscotti. Colorful, crunchy, chewey, and irresistible. https://www.everything-biscotti.com/Jelly-Bean-Biscotti.html Enjoy!
 As the year draws to a close, we're so grateful for the family and friends that illuminate our lives and for the many good times shared this year in South Lake Tahoe. Last year around this time, we made a resolution to "have more fun" in 2019 - that's easy to do in this lovely place.
Just a few of the memories we'll cherish:
Relaxing by the Christmas tree and toasting the year ahead. May your year be filled with beautiful memories! As always, Only Good Times! 10/8/2019 0 Comments Welcome to the OGT Lifestyle!
At Only Good Times - Tahoe, we support you with tips, photos, checklists, and stories to savor a lifestyle of joy and appreciation while traveling or planning your next adventure.
OGT-Tahoe is for anyone who loves sensory overload:
Longing to get away but planning feels like another chore? Use this site as your quick start guide to
We're excited to share all we discover and love to hear new ideas from you. Here’s wishing you and yours Only Good Times to savor, share, and cherish! Mike and Jas "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:12-13 |
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