In later December, shortly before New Year's Eve, Mollie and I made the road trip from San Diego to Lake Tahoe. We had our eyes set on an Airbnb that has received a lot of attention on social media platforms such as Instagram.
In addition to visiting a new property and creating new memories, we were also in search of some...snow (I can hear all of our Midwest family and friends expressing their concern). After all, when living in the sunshine paradise you are not supposed to seek out winter weather, right?
The truth is, even though there is an allure that comes with taking a beach stroll on Christmas morning, the holiday season doesn't have the same feel without a little bit of the "white stuff". Maybe that's the midwesterner in both of us. Having our beach and sunshine fix for the time being, we packed up the Jeep and headed to the mountains of northern California.
Situated on the west shore of Lake Tahoe is the small community of Tahoma. Many say visiting this area is like stepping back in time. With a population of roughly 1,000 people, the charming town of Tahoma features a blend of summer cottages, winter cabins, and year round homes. Walking down the quiet neighborhood streets, it's hard not to appreciate the blend of housing architecture. No two properties are alike.
Adding to the quaint feel is the lack of commercial development. Within a stones throw you can find the Tahoma Market & Deli, Post Office, as well as a couple of small eateries. Needless to say, you won't be able to reach a Starbucks on foot.
As Moll and I neared our destination, our excitement and anticipation built. The nine hour drive along the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range was not as scenic as we had hoped due to the forecasted rain and snow. Yet, it did little to impact our moods. We were simply excited to be on another adventure.
Making our final climb up to the lake (Lake Tahoe sits at 6,224 ft), the rain turned to snow and the beauty of the area was truly revealed. We were closing in on our final destination and we couldn't wait to finally see our temporary dwelling. After we traveled around a good portion of the lake, we soon found ourselves pulling into the driveway. Upon stepping out of our vehicle, we were immediately captured by the unique shape and visual features of the Hygge Barn.
Located just steps from Lake Tahoe, this Tahoma rental property is named for its cozy and comfortable vibe. Guests planning to visit during the winter months, should be sure to pack their snow boots and gear, as Tahoma averages 149 inches of snow per year! Do I need to mention the cabin location is a skier's dream? Guests can hit the slopes at multiple neighboring world class ski resorts.
Fun facts and sides notes, Tahoma was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics cross country skiing events. After the completion of the games, the ski trails were more or less forgotten until a restoration project took place beginning in 1999. This project was led by environmental engineer, historian, and author David Antonucci. Today, 15 kilometers (roughly 25% 0f the original trails) have survived and been restored.
Back to the cabin...
Beyond the vaulted ceilings in the living room, this barn shaped cabin features two bedrooms, one bath with heated floors, full kitchen, breakfast nook, hi-speed wifi and flat screen television, as well as a cozy wood burning fireplace. During the summer months, guests can enjoy the outdoor patio space situated in the wooded setting behind the cabin. The recreational and leisure opportunities are endless as Homewood Ski Resort, Meeks Bay, Tahoe City, Emerald Bay, and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows Ski Resort are all located within a 15 mile drive.
Even though Moll and I didn't participate in any skiing, we enjoyed the more leisurely recreational opportunities, breathtaking views, as well as the numerous amenities (the wood burning fireplace was one of our favs). In addition, a fair amount of our stay was dedicated towards capturing a brand photography project that I'm excited to share later this spring. More on this in the coming months!
A huge bonus to this trip was spending time with my cousin, Tommy. A couple of years ago he purchased a cabin in Tahoma and has been sharing his weekend adventures via photos and texts. We spent multiple nights sitting around the Hygge Barn fireplace, reminiscing on the days when we would skip rocks on the Mississippi River. Growing up in Michigan, Tommy and his family would visit Minnesota during the summer months. These memories from our childhood are something that I cherish and will always carry with me. It was fun to look back, while creating a new California chapter in Tahoma.
If our Lake Tahoe experience could be summed up in a word, I think the owners of Tahoe Little Black Cabins captured it perfectly. Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word that translates to a cozy quality making a person feel content and comfortable. Everything about our stay was just that. Begin planning your Lake Tahoe experience and book your stay by visiting https://www.tahoelittleblackcabins.com/
For more photos and cabin updates, be sure to follow @tahoelittleblackcabins on Instagram.
Until next time, keep riding the wave-
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