I’m a big fan of trying new things and places, so it came as a surprise that when I decided upon a birthday getaway this past weekend we decided to go back to the Resort at Squaw Creek, where we had been last year. It wasn’t just travel exhaustion that made us choose this one, we knew we wanted to get some work done during the weekend and the suite-style was great for that. Honestly we love everything about this place – beautiful views, amazing pools, good food. The price was also right for a quick getaway.
The drive up was a long one, Friday evening traffic combined with a thunderstorm. We stopped for dinner at Cottonwood Restaurant in Truckee. By the time we arrived at the driveway to the resort the rain had transformed… what is that, slush? By the time we got to the front door it was properly snowing!
Saturday morning we had breakfast brought to our room (heaven!) and enjoyed the stunning view outside our window.
The rain kept us inside for most of the day, which was wonderful. I was able to get some work done on my book (as planned!) and MJ did a bunch of research into our first proper vacation of the year coming up in November. Fireplace, hot chocolate, the man I love, perfect!
As 4PM rolled around the rain tapered off and we went down to the pool. It was 45F degrees out, so not exactly swimming weather, but the pools were heated and the trio of hot tubs were a popular spot for other folks visiting for the weekend. It turned out wonderful, particularly with the standard warm fall we’re having in San Francisco. That evening we had wonderful dinner (and dessert!) at the on site restaurant.
Sunday was even more rainy. We took advantage of their option to pay an extra $85 to get an 8pm checkout, giving us the whole day to enjoy before we had to go home. The rain did end up keeping us from the pool, but I did take a 2 mile walk through the woods with an umbrella after lunch. In spite of the rain, it was a beautiful walk up the sometimes steep and rocky terrain through the woods.
Alas, it had to end. On our way out we stopped at FiftyFifty Brewing Company for a casual dinner. They had the most amazing mussels appetizer, I kind of want to go back to have that again. Dinner wrapped up with some cake!
Fortunately the drive home was quicker (and drier!) than our drive to the mountains had been and we got in shortly before 1AM.
My actual 33rd birthday was on Monday. I ended up making plans with a friend who was in town to celebrate her own birthday the following day. We met up at the San Francisco Zoo around 11AM and I finally got to meet the wolverines! Even better, we caught them as a keeper was putting out some treats, so we got to see them uncharacteristically bounding about their enclosure as they attacked the treat bags that were put out for them. Alas, in spite of staying until the opening of the Lion House, I still managed to miss the sneaky two-toed sloth who decided to hide from me.
We wrapped up the afternoon with lunch over at the Beach Chalet.
It was a great birthday weekend+birthday, aside from the whole turning 33 part. Getting older hasn’t tended to bother me, but time is passing too quickly, much still to do.