We have lived through an historical moment.  Has it changed you?  It has certainly changed me and reinforced my desire for Bliss.

The transition from "stay at home" to "normal" has an interesting vibration to it.  There is an energetic buzz and a sense of exploding excitement over the opportunity to return to doing all the things we did before the pandemic.

While following the directives to stay at home I learned a valuable lesson: I don't need very much.  I don't need fancy food or cocktail service.  I don't need live concerts (although they are fun) or pedicures.  I don't need to go shopping for new clothes, toys, or belongings.  I don't need to be doing things all of the time.  Less is more.

I grew up playing with whatever was available.  We would run around the fields, climb trees, build rock & tree forts, and build mud pies.  Our imaginations allowed us to create anything out of anything.  

The first time my sister visited me in Tahoe she said, "You live in a postcard."  When I guide tours and classes people ask, "do you ever get tired of this?"  My answer is, "Never."  I get to live the dream and value that I do it in Lake Tahoe and recognize how the choices I made in life helped me to get here.  At Bliss Experiences our intention is to help you develop similar values for your life.

Every day I get to look at a beautiful lake, run through the forest, walk on the beach, stand on top of a mountain, hike through the desert, bike, ski, paddle and play.  The pandemic has added stress to my life, but enjoying Tahoe has helped me to manage it. 

People fled the cities when the pandemic hit.  There was a general perception shift that the mountains are safer than the seaside.  Our tiny community became inundated with visitors and new residents.  The lack of infrastructure, staff, response teams, inability to educate, and enforcement became increasingly evident and the impact has been significant.

Tahoe runs on tourism.  We have gotten better, throughout the years, at supporting and sharing information with the influx of visitors that come to the basin every Winter and Summer.  This year was a new opportunity for us to learn and change our practices.

As a business owner I had to become more patient.  Messaging from my business had to change.  I had to constantly remind myself to try to understand the perspective others have; they are just trying to do something "normal"  The pandemic has helped me become more patient and empathetic with myself and others.

Small businesses are the soul of our country.  As businesses began to shutter it was obvious that the corporations and larger ones would survive.  Small, individually and family owned business needed our patronage.  

Bliss Experiences promotes and partners with the small businesses and professionals in our community.  The pandemic further reminded me to remain in touch and to continue to bolster them.  As we emerge from this historical moment we will continue to grow our list of providers so that you can continue to experience Bliss with them.

I believe that when spending time with someone it is important that your full attention be dedicated to that experience.  When teaching classes, guided lessons, or out on a tour I am fully focused upon making the experience special for those joining in.  

Now that we are using more virtual tools including live video streams it's easy to be doing many things at once: live feed while recording for later while doing an Instagram live and chatting over text.

I chose to continue to practice focusing upon the task at hand even while learning to use new formats for teaching.  I have noticed that, as I venture back out into the world, I would rather be with a small group and have dedicated conversations than in a place where there is a larger crowd and many distractions.  Being present and enjoying the moment makes for a far better experience. 

When Bliss Experiences opens we will continue to honor quality of experience over quantity of participants so that we can be dedicated to making yours the best.

Bliss Experience creates custom curated opportunities for connecting with nature and your Self.  Join one of our scheduled experiences or book a Private Session.

There are so many things to love about Tahoe, and a few that are not so loveable.  Learn more about the things that bring us Bliss when we enjoy Tahoe and the stuff that we all could do without.

One of my favorite views is that of the sky in Tahoe.  The color changes daily.  I love it on a crisp Winter day when the tree branches are tufted in white.  During the Spring the flowering trees can make the blue seem even deeper.  In the Summertime the sky sometimes appears turquoise.  Daily, hourly, even by the minute, the color of the sky can change.

A noticeable effect of the Covid-19 pandemic was a reduction in pollutants due to decreased travel.  In Tahoe, it wasn't the air pollution that we noticed had decreased, but rather, how few vehicles were on the road and how quiet our town had become.

As the pandemic continued to limit activities in other places our town became more and more inundated with visitors in need of a mountain escape.  The traffic increased and, soon, the roads were as packed as they become on Independence Day Weekends.  Before you travel to enjoy Tahoe and a view of our beautiful blue skies take a moment to learn about how to travel safely to and around the basin.

Check out these resouces:
Tahoe Road Trip
Parking In Tahoe
​Winter Driving In Tahoe
​The Dangers of Parking for Snow Play

A fresh snowfall leaves everything blanketed in white.  It is one of the most quiet times to be outdoors.  Walks in the woods, cross country skiing, backcountry tours, and resort adventures are "in."  The forest colors and smells are a little different.  The beaches have a different feel to them.  It can seem like there is endless space for play.  It's just magical.

Now, I have only lived in Tahoe for a dozen or so years, but I have never seen what I have seen this Winter before.  The meadow near my home is a lovely place to enjoy a walk or snow play.  There is a small parking lot nearby that provides all you need including bathrooms and baggies for dog poop.  Instead of accessing these amenities visitors parked on highway shoulder to access the meadow and even created fires which could have easily gotten out of control and put our homes at risk.  Trash from broken sleds, packaging and food was picked up by the pounds.

It's important to look for signage before stopping to take photos, a walk, or play in the snow.  If there isn't a parking lot or sign that indicates you can park, don't do it.  If you don't see a fire pit you probably shouldn't have one.  If there aren't trash cans available be prepared to carry out that which you brought with you.  Look for and read the signs posted.  They are there to help you know how to respect and protect the area.

Living in Tahoe is not easy.  You have to earn the lifestyle.  We pick and choose our days off, where we play, what we do, and who we do it with.  Yes, we have secret stashes and hidden spots.  Sometimes we choose not to go to a place we love because it's better to allow those who can't always get to it to enjoy it.  Timing is everything.  We know exactly where to be, when, so we can experience Bliss.

Leave no trace is an important practice.  Like staying within the ropes at a ski resort or putting away your toys at home; leaving no trace is a way of demonstrating integrity.  Remember those big blue skies and fields of fluffy snow?  You can be the one who let's everyone else enjoy them when you leave no trace. 

It's simple:
-Carry out your stuff (and whatever else you find that doesn't belong)
-Leave stones, sticks, logs, etc. where they are (unless they are dangerous)
-Leave the snow as it was before you arrived
-Clean up after your pet

Bliss can be shared among all of us if we are all considerate of each other wherever we are.  Whether you are enjoying the views, playing in the snow, exploring a new spot, or spending time in your favorite place consider how your behavior could be effecting others.  Can you make the change to have a positive effect?

If you're seeking more information about planning a trip to Tahoe we're here to help.  From experiences to resources and classes to guides our intention is to shared Bliss with you.

​Tahoe is a wonderland.  Every season creates not only beautiful landscapes, but also new opportunities to get outside and play.  For those of us that enjoy playing in the outdoors there are some simple practices we can all engage in to spread cheer all year and everywhere.

In the show “The Crown” the queen educates Margaret Thatcher on proper behavior while stalking a stag.  She mentions the importance of dressing properly, speaking quietly, and avoiding wearing perfumes.  The same is true for spending time outside while visiting Tahoe.

Before heading outdoors consider your clothing; are you dressed practically for the temperature and weather?  Have you dressed up as though going out to dinner or spending time in snow, dirt, and potentially changing weather conditions?  Feel free to skip putting on scents that distract from those naturally occurring in the forest and you’ll be able to enjoy the smells of juniper, ponderosa, and sage.

There are so many magical sounds to hear while you are outside.  From unique birds to the whisper of the wind and the crunch of snow beneath your feet the opportunity to fully experience the outdoors includes listening.

Leave your personal speaker or stereo at home.  If you do choose to listen to music do so with one headphone only.  Not only will you be better able to hear the sounds of the next osprey or eagle that flies overhead, you will also be able to hear other people as they approach you.  

As you travel take notice of the naturally occurring flora and fauna around you.  Banana and orange trees do not grow in Tahoe.  Plastic bottles and wrappings do not grow on any of our plants.

Help to decrease litter in the basin by not only carrying out what you have brought with you, but also by grabbing any trash you find while outdoors.  In addition, leave the outdoors outside.  Building cairns, taking pinecones, or gathering other items from the forest impacts the basin.  Take only photos and leave nature in its place.  Leave the place you visited just as it was before you arrived.

Not all parking areas have parking spaces delineated.  When parking at a trailhead or in a backcountry access area take a moment to consider the shape, how other cars are parked and how your vehicle can fit while taking up the least amount of space.  

It helps to check out the license plates.  Look for a car with local plates and take note of how they parked.  They may know some unspoken rule and following their example is likely a good choice.  Remember to get out of your car cautiously when parking in outdoor access areas and be sure to keep your person, pets, and belongings out of the way of other vehicles.  Be considerate and aware of your surroundings at all times.  Oh, and it doesn’t hurt to turn off the “beep” sound that your car alarm makes when you lock it up.

You are unlikely to be the only person exploring Tahoe’s outdoors.  With every step you take, imagine that you are about to walk into a stranger’s home.  After all, you aren’t in yours anymore. 

​While adventuring into this new territory remember that all of the animals and plants call it home.  Not only are you likely the only animal in the area, you are probably not the only human.  Allow others to enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents.  

Show your respect for the wilderness and it will show you it’s magic

We're always happy to share Bliss with you!  Allow us to be your guides when you visit Tahoe.  Our inside knowledge and connections will make your trip blissful.

Travel might not be in the plans, or the budget, but that doesn't mean you can't have Tahoe while staying home.  Learn more about our virtual experiences.

Many of us are working from home.  With services like Slack, Zoom and Teams making it easy to do our work and connect virtually meetings, training, and team building is changing.

Virtual experiences are customized to meet your needs as a team.  We curate the best providers from Tahoe and beyond to help you to bring your team together no matter where you are.  We organize everything and host your event on our applications.  We can even record your sessions for future use and review.

Traveling is stressful.  The energy, cost, time, and frustration involved in trying to get somewhere can deplete your enthusiasm about where you were headed.  Virtual experiences eliminate travel time allowing you to enjoy experiences from home.  You can even spend time with friends or family who live internationally without the hefty price of an airline ticket.

Set up your lawn chair or hammock and get ready for guided meditation practices, experiential workshops, and engaging activities.  You can practice Yoga along with our guides from your living room, backyard or deck.  We'll create a list of materials you'll need to get creative and even cook along with our providers.

If you're not feeling quite your self, but you still want to join in the fun, a virtual experience is a great way to include everyone with reduced risk.  Virtual experiences can also be recorded and shared later.  Those who are unable to attend in person can watch at a later time.

A wedding video provides you with the opportunity to experience your special day for the rest of your life.  Our Virtual Bliss Experiences allow you to do the same with your bachelorette party, birthday celebration, milestone event, family reunion, and countless other reasons for coming together.   So, even that person who missed out while sick can feel virtually there.

As curators of experiences we have sought out some of the best spots from which to offer our experiences.  We have exclusive access to hidden meadows, cassidyboathouse.com/boathouses and on-water access.  We won't be sticking you in a conference room or office space.  You'll have the best views of Tahoe while you practice, learn and engage with our providers. 

We've become skilled at setting up the perfect shot and know how to adjust our sound and yours to create peaceful practices, engaging conversation, Q & A moments as well as quality workshops and lectures.  Your experience can be adjusted to suit the needs and desires of your group.

Our curators have chosen specific topics, experiences and providers that align with the needs of a variety of organizations and groups.

If you're interests lie in quality time and connecting with others on a more personal level then allows us to honor your requests and create a custom experience.

Ready to experience Virtual Bliss?  Take the next step and request your experience.

Tahoe's weather is fairly predictable.  From the winds to rain, the sun and snow, we usually know what is going to happen today, tomorrow and even three days in advance.  This makes Tahoe a great place to visit when you need a getaway.  We can plan, well in advance, the activities that will help you to get out of the hustle and help you reset.

Pack your puffy coat, a cute beanie and your mittens.  You won't need much more for your Tahoe Bliss Retreat.  Rarely do the Winter temperatures in Tahoe drop below 20* and even when they do, the air is so crisp that you don't get very cold.  

You'll warm up easily while we snowshoe, hike or cross country ski.  If you want to adventure onto the resort or are more of a cozy fireside type, we'll be sure to schedule based upon you and your group's requests.

Every season is magical.  The colors of Winter are some of the best.  When the deep green and brown trees are coated in clean white snow, the lake is as calm as glass and the sky the brightest blue you've ever seen, it can be mesmerizing.  

Allow us to guide you out onto the beaches and mountains surrounding the lake.  Let's take some photos and enjoy the views.  We can even wander up to the North Shore and perch atop Chickadee Ridge for a bit.

Let's sit fireside and enjoy a glass of wine or enjoy a meal with lake views.  We can celebrate a milestone with champagne and cheese or crawl from club to club to celebrate your bestie's upcoming nuptuals.  

Tahoe's mild Winter weather rarely keeps us indoors.  You'll notice that those of us who live here adventure throughout the year.  No need to be rugged to explore our playground.  We'll create adventures that encourage you to explore while keeping you within a close range to your comfort zone.  

Ready to book your Tahoe Bliss Retreat?  Send us a message or complete a request form.  We're ready to share Tahoe Bliss with you!

Everyone and everything changes.  As it does we can choose to fight and battle the change, let go and allow it to take us along for the ride, or steer ourselves through the change with intention.  Be careful, it can be easy to get swept up in change. . .

As I write this blog, two months remain in this decade.  2020 will soon be upon us.  Change is happening.  For the longest time I assumed that what I had would come again.  I blamed my apparent failure upon others.  I was angry. . . I still am angry. 

I have become driven.  As I look toward the future I see how I have been fighting against the changes of the last few years.  As I let go of the past, of what I did from my arrival in Tahoe until now: a career, a business, a life all grown from scratch, I realize that the future holds so much I have begun to steer myself through.

Tahoe Bliss Retreat Center is more than a place.  It is a space for health, healing, well being, adventure, exportation and connection.  I want to share with you that which I have learned, all that I love and the best of the basin.  As I endeavor to create Tahoe's best retreats for you, I invite you to release your past and steer yourself forward toward whatever it is that lies ahead.

Join me, my friends and local connections for a retreat in Tahoe.  Have fun, eat well and enjoy the company of good people.  You deserve it.

Just like all good things, this too must come to an end.  I would like to quote Patti St.George who said, "This trip has seemed so long, but, not in a bad way."  As we sat for dinner at a beautifully set table and shared our reactions to this adventure, none of us could really believe how much we had seen, done and experienced.

In the morning, we were given the opportunity to travel to the countryside and visit with some locals. The team at JWOC brought us around, showing us some teaching gardens and homes that have taken the practice to their property.  We have never met people who were more proud of their efforts.

After lunch, we helped out with the children's craft class.  We taught yoga, made snowflakes and helped the children write letters back to the children in Tahoe. 

Our incredible, amazing, super, fabulous group has been working so hard and going non-stop.  We all deserved some time off.  We separated into small groups or couples and spent the day any way we wanted.
Some people headed to the silk farm where you can see the Khmer people making silk thread and scarves.  Others, to the crocodile farm where, yes, crocs are turned into food, purses, shoes and more. Others headed to the market for some shopping.

In the evening, the group came together for a dinner theater.  The Apsara Dancers performed traditional Khmer (Cambodian) dances.

it was dark when we got into the van to head out to three locations within the Angkor (city).  With headlamps lit, we were granted special permission into the temple Banteay Srei, early.  We walked through the grounds and perched ourselves on the landing surrounding one of the temples for an early asana practice.  Surrounding us was the sound of frogs, birds and the resounding chanting of the monks at a nearby monastary.  As the sun slowly shed light upon the land, we turned off our lights and quietly watched the sun shine upon the temples.

Next, we hiked up to the River of the Lingas.  The Linga or Lingam is representative of masculine energy.  The complimenting symbol, Yoni, represents feminine energy.  At the river, three gods are represented; Siva, Krishna and Brahman.

Our last stop was at a temple that truly shows the results of time.  Beng Maelea or Lotus Pond, is a temple in disrepair.  For most of us, this was the favorite.  We all enjoyed seeing a temple in its most authentic state.

After rising with an asana practice and some free time this morning, we found our way to JWOC.  http://youtu.be/-mwTaT0l8Q4
We were able to meet some of the staff and participate on the English  Conversation class.  We really enjoyed seeing the location and were amazed by how big JWOC is.
After some rest, some of us headed out to town again.  Some for Italian and some for adventure!