Capitola and Santa Cruz

There is rarely a day I don't feel lucky living in Sacramento - with our city's recreational activities and entertainment, and also those available within a 100 mile radius of home. 

Yesterday our family created an adventure with three packed vehicles traveling in a caravan up Highway 80.  There were grandparents, children, and grandchildren waiting in anticipation of arrival to the perfect snow covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada.

I don't think I can recall my family jumping out of cars and grabbing snow gear so swiftly, as they made their way up to the more ideal places to put sled to snow and have at it!

The little gal in all pink is a mere 5 years old.  I'm proud to say she is my youngest grandkid, Sophia, and she is fearless on the hill!  I also might add that with all the sled runs, and tumbles, she was nearly the only one of us that wasn't complaining at the end of the day about headache, neck, shoulder or back pains.  She didn't even complain about the cold!

Snow Flower is a recreational area located near Emigrant Gap.  It is open to the public, but has a wonderful lodge, swimming pool, and heated bathrooms for those that are Thousand Trails members. 

The last photo shows the brake lights of the car in front of us.  The snow had started falling heavily in the afternoon.  A car at the beginning of the line was not equipped for snow and was having difficulty making it over the hill.   I began having a little anxiety about our getting home.  My son is getting married on New Years Eve, and I'm doing all the cooking.  I feared we might not make it home in time for me to make all the preparations.  Some of the auxiliary roads can be left unplowed a couple days!  But, all ended well, and we arrived home tired, but full of wonderful memories!

(Written by: Myrl Jeffcoat - Posted on ActiveRain Blog - 12/29/2009 - Snow Flower for Winter Recreation)