Paddles, Patriotism, and a Birthday with a Bang

Not every day on this trip was full of adventure—some were all about soaking in the scenery and spending time with family. Our early morning beach day at Cave Rock was just that. We got started around 8 a.m. and had the whole stretch of beach mostly to ourselves. The day was filled with kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sandcastle engineering.

A standout tradition during our Tahoe trips is how we celebrate July 4th—which also happens to be Chris’ birthday. It’s a whole day of simple traditions we look forward to every year. We always start with sandwiches from Yellow Sub, which we bring over to South Lake Brewing Company. The outdoor setup is perfect: games, music, shaded tables, and some of our favorite beers.

Later in the evening, we head back to the cabin for a family BBQ and a talent show—a tradition that started as a joke and has now become one of the best parts of the trip. From made-up skits to impromptu karaoke, everyone gets involved. It’s silly, it’s fun, and it’s us.

We capped off the night on a friend’s patio in Cave Rock, bundled in sweatshirts, watching South Lake Tahoe’s fireworks show light up the sky. The boom echoed off the cliffs, and the lake reflected every burst of color. It was the perfect ending to the 4th.