When our first son was about 4 months old, we decided to go on a trip where he could experience the snow. We wanted him to see and touch snow at 4 months old. When we left home, we didn't expect any winter storm at all.
The snow that we wanted to see turned out to be quite an experience. Our car was covered with snow overnight, and the roads were barely open, down to one lane. Although we didn't get to do much because of winter storm, this was one of the most memorable winter trips we have taken.
Weather Check, Not Thoroughly Enough
We saw the forecast, and it said there would be some snow. We just didn't look at it closely, so we didn't know how bad it could get.
Since we live in Southern California, we don't get much snow unless it rains in the city. We have always gone to see the snow, but it had never been hostile toward us before. So we didn't think much about packing snow chain, instead, we pack a ton of diapers and kid's related items.
The weather seemed fine during our trip. We got to see light snow from time to time, and the scenery was absolutely beautiful. Green trees were starting to be covered with snow, and without us noticing, the city was slowly turning into a winter wonderland.
Airbnb: Quiet Carnelian Bay Refuge with a View
We got to our Airbnb as the day got dark. My wife breastfed the baby and we did our regular routine inside. This Airbnb was shared house, and we were on the lower level, where we had our own bathroom and a patio with a hot tub outside. We didn't get to use the hot tub that night, but little did we know that once the winter storm hit, we would have to extend our stay at this Airbnb.
The next day, when we got up, the view from our room had completely changed into a winter wonderland, full of snow everywhere. I checked the car, and it was fully covered with snow. I borrowed some scrapers from the Airbnb owner to clean off the car, but it was difficult. The snow had slightly melted on the glass, and I literally had to scrape if off. I didn't want to crack the windshield, so I was being careful, but my hands got too cold and painful. It would have been little easier to clean the snow if I was able to open the car door and turn on the heater, but I wasn't able to open the door because of snow.
Super Bowl LIII
We wanted to get down the mountain, but when we check Google Maps, the road was completed closed and we could only see the dotted red lines along the routes. What we found out was that there was an avalanche on one of the main roads that connects down the mountain. As I said before, we had to extend our stay and stayed put.
Funny thing was, it was Super Bowl LIII game day. Of course, our son didn't seem to care, other than about eating and sleeping, but we got to watch the Super Bowl at the Airbnb and cheer for the Patriots. The LA Rams were playing against the Patriots, but we were a big fan of Tom Brady, so we cheer for the Patriots. They won the Super Bowl by 13-3.
Fun with Snow
We didn't get to go far, but we got to go near the house and explore the snow. It was quite fun taking pictures with the little one. Since the roads were covered with snow, we put him on top of the snow to see if he knew how to make a snow angel. I'm not sure if he was actually trying to make a snow angel or just trying to get away from the snow, he ended up making a pretty good one.
We usually don't get many chances to take pictures in the snow, so we went out just to take as many pictures as possible.
Hot Tub Time
Since we had a hot tub on our patio, we wanted to maximize the snow experience. We changed into our swimsuits and went outside. It was cold, and still snowing outside. We could see the steam rising from the portable hot tub as we opened the lid. We didn't waste any time but go get in. Our bodies were getting warm up, but not so fast with our faces. Air was chilly and our face stayed cold for awhile, and that felt amazing.
We used the hot tub while the baby was sleeping. When he woke up, we brought him outside in the cold just so he could feel the fresh, cold air. He didn't seem bothered by it, so we fed him outside for a little while.
Volvo XC90
A
Volvo XC 90 was the car we drove to Lake Tahoe. This was the best decision we made for this trip. Although we didn't have snow chains, this all-wheel-drive vehicle was capable of moving like a snowmobile. While many other cars were slipping around, this car didn't slip at all. I was still super careful about driving on the snow, but since it was all-wheel-drive, we weren't required to have snow chains installed at the time. We originally bought the vehicle because of its design, but we fell in love with it again because of its capability and driving experience.
Down the Mountain
The next day, after all that drama, we wanted to come down the mountain. I scraped all the ice off the car, and we set off driving down the snowy mountain road again. The snow had slowed down overnight, and Caltrans had plowed the road. It was a much easier drive compared to the day before, and we were able to drive down the road. I definitely drove slowly and cautiously, and there were a few scary moments. But we made it down - no accidents, and everything was fine.
What we learned
Apparently, Lake Tahoe is one of the areas in California that get a lot of snow during winter. Since the area is located in higher elevation, it gets winter storms from time to time, and when it snows, the Caltrans requires snow chains to be installed on cars. The time we went happened to be right in the middle of a winter storm, and we couldn't move or go for a while. You will probably want to check
Caltrans' road maps for exact information.
You should definitely get snow chain for your vehicle. I didn't think much of it at all, but every vehicle's tire size is different and you have to get the correct size for your car. Also, if you are traveling to a place where you expect some snow, get some waterproof gloves and a snow scraper for your convenience.
Will a hot tub change your travel experience? Yes, it will. Especially on a snow day. Look for an Airbnb with a hot tub. It won't hurt you. That was one of the most memorable experiences we had during this trip.
LET'S GO!
190203
Comments
Post a Comment