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Photography: South Lake Tahoe

 “I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

I was gifted an overnight trip to Tahoe with my daughter and her best friend. I didn’t know how badly I needed this break. It gave me the chance to get away from my chores, marvel at the beauty of the world, make up stories about monsters hiding in dark snow, and sing in the car at the top of my lungs.

While my life has been hard lately, it’s equally beautiful. It’s the dark bare trees standing up in a field of white. I’d like to share a few things with you.

A childhood friend died unexpectedly last week. Cori introduced me to Sweet Valley High books and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I have fond memories of playing in her pool, doing runway shows in her hallway, and snuggling in blankets to watch movies. I’m devasted for the sister left behind as she’s now lost her father and both her older sisters. Why does tragedy strike some families more than others? It’s wildly unfair.

My daughter continues to struggle with her mental health. This week we had some of the hardest conversations I’ve had in my life, but we are moving forward. She’s getting stronger and bolder about her recovery. Healing isn’t linear and sometimes those steps back are necessary to take another leap forward.

My mother is moving more than 500 miles away in less than two weeks and I’m not ready for her to go. I’ll be helping her move and I know this is good for her, but I’m grieving the loss of being able to see her whenever I want. Super plus side, I’ll get to take photographs in Washington and I’ve heard it’s breathtaking.

I’ve been reading poetry monthly at a wonderfully inclusive and supportive bookstore called A Seat at the Table. They’ve offered to help me launch my book career by hosting a reading/book signing for my 52-short story collection in early May. I’ve got a lot of work to do before I’m ready, but it’s exciting and feels like purpose and joy.

I’ve not posted as much lately and I’m behind in reading my favorite bloggers, but I’m back at it today. Thanks to those who continue to root me on, your support means the world to me. Let me know what you think of these Tahoe photos and have a wonderful week!

  • Photos were taken with an Olympus OM-D and edited with ON1 Photo RAW

91 thoughts on “Photography: South Lake Tahoe”

  4. My mom always said she thought Lake Tahoe was the most beautiful place on earth. I’ve never been there, but your images are gorgeous. Best of luck with everything–it sounds as though you really needed that break. And good luck with your book project. 🙂

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    • It really is beautiful! I’m lucky to live only a few hours from it, but I don’t visit nearly enough. I hope you get a chance to see it someday—it’s really remarkable. And thanks for the luck toward my book project. I’ll be sure to share more as it comes together!

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  9. Love what you said about hard but equally beautiful. That describes my experiences the past 11 months. Loss comes in so many forms, it seems. I feel for your friend’s family- losing a family member is flat out devastating. Hope your daughter is doing ok. Before I lost my momma, she lived 8 hours from me, so understand how it feels to be lots of miles from a loved one- and, my dad still lives there. Luckily, there’s things like texting, etc. Congratulations on the poetry reading place offering to help you with your book! Exciting. The photos are beautiful!

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    • Thank you for such a thoughtful and kind comment. Yes, my dad lives in Oregon and now my mom will be in Washington. It will just give me excuses to travel! I’m very excited about the book! It will give me more leverage when I start trying to sell my novels, I think 🙂

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  10. Your photos are very beautiful, Bridgette! I’ve never been up there but one of my nieces lives near the lake on the California side. I’m so sorry for your loss, Bridgette. And, you can always make a mini holiday of heading north to see your mom. Think positive. ❤️🙏🏻

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  14. Hey Bridgette. Those photos are excellent. I’m sorry to hear about your loss and your daughter. It’s a really big step to talk about all that, so I’m sure this will help each of you in the long run. I’ve also been spending a lot of my time outdoors instead of staring at the computer screen 🙂

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      • Thank you 🙂

        So I have a question. If I am able to attend your book signing, would you rather:
        (1) know I was coming in advance;
        (2) be surprised, such that I just get in line to meet the author, and when you sign my copy of the book, I ask you to make it out to Greg Dennison; or
        (3) not know in advance that I’m coming for sure, but if I did, I would do something so that you’d know it was me without knowing exactly what I look like?

        I remember talking to a real-life friend about my writing, and having met some new writer friends on WordPress, and I said (without active plans to do so in mind) that, if anyone I knew was having a book signing somewhere that I could attend, it would be fun to surprise the author in a way like option 2 above. My friend said that there are so many weirdos out there in the world these days that such action would almost certainly be taken the wrong way.

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  17. A gift of a trip for you gifted us with stunning images to look at. It is a lovely part of the country. Thank you, Bridgette. Sorry to read of your loss and other life challenges you are dealing with. Wishing you gentleness and patience. Wonderful poetry/book connection. Best wishes to you!

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  19. Beautiful photos and moving writing. Never give up and always make courage. Life can be tough and challenging but you have to look at the beautiful things that happen around us every day.

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  20. I love your photography. Wonderful photos & place. I like. I’am sorry you loss your childhood friend’s. God blessing!
    Best of luck your 📚 project, Bridgette 🌹!

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  21. Your photos are wonderful, as usual. I particularly like the crowed trees with a hidden horizon. You used an expression about healing not being linear! Agree! I’d go as far to say that nothing in this life is linear and that’s what makes living to be an incredible journey! Good luck with the book launch. 🌹🙋‍♂️

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  24. Dear Bridgette. Your photos of South Lake Tahoe are gorgeous. I love the little black bird with its feet splayed as if trying to keep its balance on the ice and snow. It’s so cute. I’m sorry your mom is moving so far away. I know you will miss her, but, as you say, you’ll have an excellent excuse to travel and take more beautiful photos. Perhaps, you’ll be able to stay with her for a few days or more as it’ll be quite some journey to make over there. I’m sure it will all work out okay for you both.

    I know you’ve had a tough time worrying about your precious daughter’s mental health, but I’m glad to hear she is making some progress, even if it is just baby steps. Some movement is better than none at all. She is blessed to have you as her mom.

    I heard from my daughter this week about my granddaughter, who is nearly seventeen and has also had mental health issues. Her doctor has diagnosed her with something called Purely Obsessional OCD. I hadn’t heard of this before, but I have now read up on it. We are very worried about her as she’s really struggling with life at the moment. She is waiting for a referral to the adolescent mental health services, but the wait will, no doubt, be long, as mental health services over here are dire.

    On a brighter note, I’m so thrilled for you that you are getting some assistance in launching your book. You so deserve to be a published writer, I mean, apart from WordPress. The shop looks lovely (I clicked on their link). Huge congratulations, my friend. Love to you and your daughter, as always, Xx. 💝🌹💓🌹💝

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    • Thank you, Ellie. The little bird slipping on the ice was my favorite photo too. He was so cute! My mom will be living in a very small place so I’ll have to get a hotel when I visit, but I’ll try to see her as much as I can. I’m excited for all the photo opportunities.

      I’m so sorry to hear about your granddaughter. I’ve not heard of that either, but I’m sure now things will get easier with a diagnosis. She can start learning about what her strengths are and work toward curbing the challenges. It’s a great start, and hopefully she doesn’t have to wait long for some help.

      Thanks for the kind words about my book. I’m thrilled and nervous. What if nobody comes to the launch? What if I don’t get it edited in time? So many what ifs right now, but its more exciting than scary. It’s a dream come true.

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  25. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend’s passing and your daughter’s struggles. And then anticipating your mom’s move. You have a lot going on, Bridgette. But these photos are of a place I am familiar with and love. They are breathtaking. I’m glad you were able to get some time away. Good luck with your book too. That’s very exciting. Take care of yourself. xo

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  27. Gorgeous photos! Breathtaking scenery, and that little bird is so cute 🙂 Sorry for your loss. Sounds like a lot of changes – don’t they always happen at once? Why is that? Great news about your future book collection!

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  30. Excellent captures as always. A lovely part of the world though coincidently I was reading a few minutes ago that Lake Tahoe is suffering badly from tourist traffic and a consequent degradation of the environment.

    And hoping for easier times ahead for you personally Bridgette.

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    • Yes, it’s getting very crowded. Last summer we went to the lake and couldn’t find a place to park anywhere-every single beach was at capacity. I know they’ve have similar problems in Yosemite. People are drawn to the beauty, but we are going to destroy it if we don’t put up controls to keep it clean.

      Thank you for the kind words. I hope so too ❤️

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  31. Thank you for sharing a part of your world and lovely photos!!.. wishing you all the best with your book and following your dreams!!.. sometimes one needs to briefly stop the world, get off for a bit and reboot…WordPress is just a part of your world, don’t forget about the rest… sometimes life puts challenges in our path and I am sure you and your family overcome and life will be better and the heart will go on… as Marilyn Monroe once said “sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together”… (Marilyn Monroe)… 🙂

    Hope better things are falling, your path is paved with peace, love and happiness and until we meet again..
    May the road rise to meet you
    May the wind be always at your back
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    The rains fall soft upon your fields
    May green be the grass you walk on
    May blue be the skies above you
    May pure be the joys that surround you
    May true be the hearts that love you.
    (Irish Saying)

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    • Thank you so much, Dutch. Yesterday was the funeral and it was so hard. I saw so many people I haven’t seen in years and I felt the dizzying effects of time slipping by so fast. Yes, sometimes we do need to pause and slow down. I’m feeling that right now. ❤️

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      • When tomorrow starts without me
        And I’m not here to see,
        If the sun should rise and find your eyes
        Filled with tears for me.

        I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
        The way you did today,
        While thinking of the many things
        We didn’t get to say.

        I know how much you love me
        As much as I love you,
        And each time you think of me
        I know you’ll miss me too.

        When tomorrow starts without me
        Don’t think we’re far apart,
        For every time you think of me
        I’m right there in your heart.
        (Alena Hakala Meadows)

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  32. Stunning photos, Bridgette! You certainly have had an uphill path lately…I hope all goes smoothly with your mom’s move and that you find a way to stay well connected despite the miles between you. 💞💞💞

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  35. Oh Bridgette, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and your mom moving. Some families do have more pain and suffering for sure. I loved what you said here.
    “Healing isn’t linear and sometimes those steps back are necessary to take another leap forward.
    It’s so true and I’m glad your daughter is doing better!
    💗

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    • Thanks you, Cindy. The funeral was last weekend and it was very hard. I saw a lot of people I haven’t seen in years and it was complicated and strange. Time sure catches up with us. Thanks for the kind words about my daughter. It’s such a struggle still, but she’s doing the work and healing.

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  36. I’m from Washington. It *is* breathtaking, photographically speaking. I believe I read once that it has more climactic zones than any other state. Rainforest, desert, maritime, glacial, prairie, etc. All there.

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