Truckee is a small town found if you head east on highway 80 from Sacramento. In recent years it has become much more popular given its close proximity to the Sacramento area, as well as its connection to Lake Tahoe. When I was eleven my parents invested in a place up in Truckee which has since turned into a big part of all of our lives. My dad and I, in particular, love to spend time up there. The two of us go up as often as we possibly can, and have gotten to spend days at a time adventuring and exploring what the greater Lake Tahoe area has to offer. From snowshoeing along the trail that runs through our backyard, to wake surfing around the lake, to fly fishing in the Little Truckee, we have found that there are endless things to do while up in one of our favorite places.

One story that stands out in my memory, though, was the first snowboard lesson either of us had ever had. I was about twelve, and my dad was, you know — old, but despite the age difference we both came to the same realization. Snowboarding was much harder than either of us had anticipated. As we slid and flopped down the mountain (to be honest — the bunny hill), we were both filling with rage, fed by our intensely competitive natures, while simultaneously laughing every time the other one fell.  After about two hours of  physical and mental exhaustion it was my turn to go down the hill with the instructor. At the bottom, after I had tumbled to a stop, he attempted to confirm with me my dad’s name, which is Pete, by asking , “your dad’s name is Steve, right?” With such an incredible opportunity to prank my dad right in front of me, and a slight part of me wanting to throw him off his game, I eagerly responded, “Yep! Yep it’s Steve!”, so for the rest of the day, I smirked every time my dad grew a confused expression when he suddenly started  being referred to as Steve. I couldn’t wait to tell him that I orchestrated it when we got home. After we had both sworn off  snowboarding for at least the next year and we were in the car driving home, I burst out with laughter exclaiming that I had gotten the instructor to call him Steve all day. Luckily my dad thought my twelve year old sense of humor was pretty funny as well, and we’ve been laughing about that day ever since.

I have many similar memories that stem from spending time with my dad up in Truckee and have set a great foundation for not only our relationship as father and daughter, but as good friends as well. We are very similar people when it comes to our interests, outlooks and emotions and Truckee has provided us with a place that allows our similarly oriented personalities to thrive. With equally dry senses of humor, a deep appreciation for nature, and a need to be competitive, the days my dad and I have been able to spend together in Truckee along with the stories that accompany them have built an awesome friendship that I will always be grateful for. I give credit to the place, but also to the people who inhabit it for the close relationship we have come to develop. From the snowboard instructor we met almost a decade ago, to the people who keep Golden Rotisserie, the home of the world’s best burrito, running, the people of Truckee have improved our lives greatly and I will always appreciate them.