Altitude: 6,224 ft.
Curvy roads twist and
turn around the magnificent
mountains. Cedar and pine trees
tower over the small world beneath them.
Cyclists, runners, and beach goers
scurry around the town with energy
and excitement. I am ready to
enjoy the Tahoe life.

Altitude: 6,235 ft.
I look up to the sky
from the base of the mountain.
Sunlight and heat radiate down
from the clear, blue sky. Steep ski
trails run like raindrops
racing down a window.

Altitude: 7,532 ft.
Up ahead, a peak of
pure white glistens in the sun.
Its cool crystals freeze my bare
hand when I grab a handful. Air becomes
sparse as I continue to trek up the
mountain—lungs burning.

Altitude: 8,121 ft.
I have reached
the very top. From
here, the cars are ants,
marching in a line. From here,
I can see the deep, dark water
of Big Blue—the beautiful Lake Tahoe.
From here, my heart races a little
faster from the views only
found in Lake Tahoe.