It’s impossible for me to begin 2019 without looking back on 2018. Unlike some, I don’t feel overtly negative about 2018. I wasn’t one of the ones cheering “Later 2018! Don’t let the door smack ya on the way out!” on New Year’s Eve. The thing is, I don’t feel I have the luxury of wishing a “bad year” away. And, without judgment, I do feel it is a luxury to do so. For me, it is luxury to assume one will have an infinite number of years to go. Years with your spouse, your kids, your parents, your family, your closest friends, even though, deep in our hearts, we know that isn’t true. It’s far easier to put the blinders on, ignore that ugly truth, and march on as if this year matters more than all the years before and assume that there will be many more after.  And in my life, in my particular circumstances, that’s not a luxury I allow myself anymore. For me, every day, week, month, or year, good or bad, is another one I get to spend with the man I adore more than anything in the world (I know, cheesy, but just hang on) and it’s impossible to understand the depth of meaning of that statement to me without an explanation of why this man, who makes me crazy, annoyed and frustrated can, in the next breath, completely astonish me and leave me paralyzed with adoration. That, my friends, is because there was a “before” in 2012 and again in 2018 and now we are living in the “after” (and planning to make the most of it!)

After living on a sailboat, several international trips, and backpacking around Europe for 8 weeks with the kids, we’ve learned a thing or two about packing.  Plus, as airline employee travelers, we’ve had to become pros at packing carry-ons only, since we never really know if we are going to get on the flight we are hoping for. Even if you do plan to check bags (which I rarely recommend unless you’re bogged down with infant car seats, strollers, etc. and even then I’d consider gate-checking those to avoid the luggage carousel), good packing prior to departure is key for success in getting to your destination with fewer snags (and stress) than necessary. Hopefully you can rip a page from our playbook and learn how we successfully pack for long and short-haul trips, carrying everything we need through security and on-board.

So, here’s how you can pack like a boss (especially when traveling with kids!):

Ahh, Lake Tahoe. You are a gorgeous, deep, inspiring place and a natural wonder in your own right (Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and second in the world!)  So close to our home in Northern California, yet we (shamefully) take you for granted. But on a recent sojourn to your frosty, but sunshine-y, shores to celebrate another lap around the sun with my handsome hubby and dear friends of two decades, you reminded me that we are lucky to bask in your glory.

For most North Americans, this weekend was all about f.o.o.t.b.a.l.l. — Superbowl weekend.  But schedules being what they were, we decided to visit the West Shore of Lake Tahoe instead.  What a glorious weekend to do so! With the slopes nearly empty (ski conditions being sub-par after a week of sunshine and spring-like temps) and most of the restaurants in town following suit, it was a perfect weekend to really dig in and remind ourselves why Lake Tahoe is so amazing.

Here, in no particular order, are our 5 favorite things (eat, see + do) on the West Shore.