I'm spending this Labor Day weekend in Lake Tahoe, probably the first time I've been here in 25 years.
I came for two reasons. One was to visit my only niece, who's lived in nearby Reno for over 20 years. And the other was to have a brief respite from the 100 plus heat in Arizona. Beyond that I didn't do much planning.
And I discovered my lack of planning after we arrived at the Lake. For some reason - a few weeks ago - when I made the reservations - I didn't think about this weekend being a holiday and that driving around Lake Tahoe would be like driving in downtown Los Angeles at rush hour.
So, instead of my planned leisurely cruise around the lake enjoying the scenery, we were stuck in stop - and - go traffic for 10 miles or so before I could find a place where it was safe to turn around and head back to the hotel.
Fortunately, after 28 years in recovery I've learned to not get too excited about the small stuff and to make the best of whatever comes my way.
Because we stayed at a casino in downtown Tahoe I was reminded of my drinking days. Most everyone here who was old enough to drink was either drunk or working on getting there.
I quietly wondered if I behaved liked these folks when I drank but I didn't follow that train of thought very far. I'm sure that I drank much more than they did. They looked mostly like people who still had a life.
After all they could afford to stay in a deccnt hotel, dress nice, and not behave poorly enough to get arrested - something I managed to do on a regular basis.
I once again was reminded that there's a world of difference between social drinkers and real alcoholics.
Click here to email John
