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Writer's pictureISABELLA M. JACINTO

Donner Lake Sep 2020

2020 has been a weird year in general, but it definitely was extra challenging resisting the temptation to go outside and play out in the summer sun. My family and I wanted to get out while also keeping close to the COVID guidelines so we decided to rent an Airbnb out in Truckee for the Labor Day weekend (with one other family) to celebrate my mom's birthday. (3 day vacation)


The Airbnb we found was amazing! It was a three level cabin-style home walking distance from the pier and Donner Lake. It comfortably fit all 10 of us guests. We checked-in the afternoon of the first day and started our celebration with grilling our own Korean BBQ out on the back deck.


Clockwise starting from top left: me lying on one of the beds while the afternoon sun peeks through the window, the view from the pier in the morning, me waiting for dinner to be served, my legs dangling off the edge of the pier


The next day, we waited for my younger siblings to finish up their morning Zoom classes and homework then spent the afternoon at the beachside of Donner Lake. The weather was so nice. It was sunny with a light breeze and the air quality was great compared to the air quality in Sacramento (due to the recent fires). The kids had so much splashing around in the water while my friends and I messed around and took pictures. My dad and I also learned how to paddle board for the first time (thanks to our Airbnb hosts who let us borrow their paddle board equipment).

Left: the wind blowing through my hair while I posed for a picture. Right: my friend and I posing for a picture at the beach


Later that evening I was able to convince my sister and our friend to try out paddle boarding so we took the boards down to the pier for a sunset ride. After maybe an hour of riding, we ended the night watching the sunset and having a big family dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday.

Clockwise starting from top left: my friend and sister on the pier at sunset, me posing for a picture with the view, my sister paddle boarding for the first time, me cheesing for a picture after getting back on my board (I fell off into the lake)


The next morning, we had breakfast, cleaned up, and checked-out to head home. We stayed from Monday to Wednesday to avoid the Labor day crowds. Because of that we were able to enjoy the lake and beach to ourselves and follow COVID guidelines. All of us had such a great experience. It was a much needed weekend of catching up and laughing with friends, relaxation, and sunshine. I'm sure that we will be taking another trip to Donner Lake again in the very near future.

My littlest sister, Sofia, posing for a picture while looking at the view

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