My dear friends,
This marks my final week in Tahoe before I drive back to Seattle for a few months. This Saturday, I take the 14 hour drive at once, and then wake up early on Sunday morning to fly out to Tel Aviv for a 2 week-long adventure with two of my best friends. Keep an eye out for a recap post on that trip later! While I’m sure it will be an absolute blast, I can barely get my head around the fact that I am counting down my last few days in the town I’ve called home for nearly 3 months, let alone think about flying halfway around the world in less than a week.
My time here in Tahoe has had it’s fair share of downs. The lack of snow combined with my injury last month have actually resulted in one of the more low-key ski seasons I’ve had in years. I had a few trips fall through and gas is expensive. I miss Amazon delivery. I miss my friends and family back home. I miss having a bedroom with a door on it. Sometimes, I get lonely or overwhelmed by living by myself in a town where I’m an outsider.
But, for every disappointing, lonely, or frustrating moment, I’ve had 10 more beautiful ones. The lack of snow led to some picturesque beach days. My injury gave me a reason to focus on my art, my reading, and my mental clarity. The trips that fell through meant more time to spend in Tahoe. Expensive gas meant more walking. No Amazon delivery meant less spending. The friends that I made here feel like family. No bedroom door means the dogs that live here can walk in and out of my room as they please. Living by myself has led to a sense of personal freedom that I know I’ll never give up.
I’ll miss Tahoe. I’ll miss the way you don’t lock your doors and the way icicles form outside my bedroom window. I’ll miss my favorite bartender, Domino, at my favorite bar, Whitecaps. I’ll miss the way the air feels fresh and sharp in the mornings before a big storm. I’ll miss the sound of waves lapping against the shore, as if I live next to the ocean rather than a large lake. I’ll miss the friendly hellos and good mornings from my roommates. I’ll miss the friends I made and the laughter we shared. I’ll miss the sunrise, the sunset, the stars and the moon. And probably, above all, I’ll miss Jackson and Tasha, the two dogs that live with me and stole my heart.
I’m thankful for the pain that comes with goodbyes, because it means my time here was worth it, and meaningful. I’m also beyond excited for what the future has in store for me- in two days I’ll be on a flight to experience some of the most beautiful scuba diving in the world with my best friend, and in two months I’ll be on the way to travel through Central and South America. Life is a magical, overwhelming whirlwind, and I’m loving every last minute of it.
Stay beautiful, friends.
Love,
emily