Vacation And An Ode To Summer In Three Parts

It may seem like my life is a vacation, even to me, but I do work full-time. In fact, I’m lucky enough to have two jobs! But this past summer, I took my first official vacation in two years. How does a flight attendant spend her vacation with the world at her fingertips? 

With family, away from the airport.  

Part I: Tahoe

The vacation included our annual trip to Lake Tahoe. But this year, we discovered a new lake: Fallen Leaf Lake. This pristine, calm, freezing lake is perfect for hikers, paddle boaters, and dogs. But bring your water shoes; it’s rocky!

It’s also a campground. This would be an ideal place to camp in Tahoe if you’re so inclined. If not, you can pay $10 to park and enjoy access to the lake, the hiking trails, and the camp’s flushing toilets!     

Another outdoorsy activity I recommend in Tahoe is a bike ride through the Tallac Historic Site. This site encompasses three historic estates: the Pope, the Baldwin, and the Heller. These homes were once vacation playgrounds for three wealthy San Franciscan families. 

Today, the USDA Forest Service owns the properties, and you can visit them to see how the 1% (and their servants) lived at the turn of the century. 

Maybe next year, I’ll write an entire blog on these gorgeous estates, but we just biked through them this year. I recommend going after hours (as we did) so you can have the place to yourself. 

In the quiet and solitude of the deserted grounds, it’s easy to imagine yourself as a member of one of those privileged families having the lake virtually to yourself. 

 It’s good to be rich -even if only in your mind.  

Part II: Texas

While I mostly stayed away from airplanes, we did take a short flight to Texas to visit more family. Where the highlight of the trip was, surprisingly, a truck stop. Not just any truck stop, but Bucee’s.

Previously unbeknownst to me but beloved among a certain generation of TikTokers and Instagramers, Bucee’s is a massive gas station averaging 80-120 gas pumps. In other words, it’s Texas-sized. But you don’t just stop at Bucee’s for gas; you go for snacks. 

Bucee’s has warm sandwiches, a bakery, a beef jerky bar, a praline bar, and all kinds of prepackaged treats for the road. 

They’re also famous for their clean bathrooms, and I can attest to that. Their bathrooms feature full-time attendants and art! 

-carefully curated art

At a truck stop? There’s more. Much more… acres of merchandise. This is America.

And I’m a proud American.

So, next time you drive through Texas and need gas and a 64-ounce beverage, I recommend swinging by Bucee’s.

And if you decide to relocate to Texas, I recommend working at Bucee’s!

But no summer would be complete without attending some sporting events with my brother. 

Part III: Sports

Growing up, I always loved the start of baseball season because I knew it meant summer was right around the corner and school was getting out soon! 

In the Bay Area, we not only have the San Francisco Giants; we have the San Jose Giants. (the Single-A affiliate of the franchise) Where we spotted the great Will Clark doing a little mentoring.  

But this year’s big story is the sad news that the Oakland Athletics played their final season in the Coliseum, home of the A’s since 1968. Like the Raiders and the Warriors, they’re moving out of Oakland. Of course, we had to go one last time to pay our respects.

And tailgate in one of (if not the last) baseball parks left in America that allows tailgating. Sadly, this great American tradition is dying out with these ashes.

Just as baseball marks the start of summer, football signals its end. This year, we were fortunate enough to be invited by a friend and fellow Cal alum to watch a game in his suite. Sweet! 

I didn’t take any pictures of the buffet because I was trying to look like I belonged, but I’ll just say this: I had three plates, and my son ate five. 

A win for us, but unfortunately not for the Bears. 

All and all, I had a great August vacation. So great that I don’t think I’ll wait another two years to take another one. In fact, how does London in October sound to you?