Big Bear is a beautiful ski resort town in southern California that is also home to a large lake, Big Bear Lake. Being that I grew up in southern California, the OC (Orange County) if you will, I grew up going to Big Bear for church retreats, vacations, and skiing. I was excited to be going back to this very cute, quaint ski town as it had been more than a few years since I'd last been there.
Unexpected surprise #2 happened on Saturday when we got the chance to do this...
We took the chair lift up to the top of the mountain. Snow Summit is one of the ski resorts in Big Bear that is open in the summer too. You can take the chair lift up to check out the unbelievable views, have lunch, or bike down like we saw so many people do. It's crazy if you ask me but I saw first hand that it's really quite popular. Here are a few pictures of the view while we were on the chair lift...
This next picture is of Allen, Kathy, and Mary. Mary is our friend Kathy's younger sister and she has lived in Big Bear, and worked at Snow Summit, for the last 32 years. She started out as a ski instructor when she was in her 20's and now works as the Asst. Director of the ski school. Let me tell you she knows that mountain like the back of her hand which we would soon find out. At our campfire the night before, Mary asked if any of us wanted to go up the mountain on the chair lift, compliments of her and Snow Summit. Without any hesitation, we all jumped at the chance.
Our happy little group at the top of Snow Summit...
Unexpected surprise #3 came when Mary asked us if we wanted to hike back down the mountain with her, instead of taking the chair lift down. She told us it would take about an hour and that it was all down hill. Five of us took her up on the offer.
Not only was it NOT all down hill, and it took us 2 hours, not 1...but oh my goodness it was so worth it! This unexpected surprise was incredible...to think that I hiked 3 1/2 miles down a mountain is amazing. Those opportunities just don't happen for me on a weekly basis if you know what I mean. During the hike I just kept thinking how lucky I was to have this experience and how thankful I was that I was in shape enough to be able to tackle it in the first place.
I'll have to admit, today I'm a little sore...but you should see the smile on my face!
24 comments:
What fun! I'm glad the trip back was mostly down!
It all looks simply wonderful.
I am all about a good view.
Sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Glad you enjoyed yourselves!
Wow! That looks like so much fun. I'm glad you decided to go on the hike, sounds like it was so worth it!
Sounds like so much fun! And beautiful pictures too!
Have a great week,
Hugz
Michele
Wow, what a beautiful place and sounds like you had a lot of fun!
Hugs,
Donna
Looks like so much fun! I need a little bit of that in my life about now, smile!
WOW...I was just popping in to see how your weekend was, but I see it was unbelievable!
Thanks for sharing the pictures
wow, I bet it was all breathe taking!
Hey you! We are about an hour from Big Bear and yes... we have girls camp up there every year!!! Looks like you had a blast!!!
So glad you guys had such a great time...the pictures were beautiful! That view is unbelievable :)
Two hours had to have been SO WORTH it... how wonderful to have time to do these little adventures.
Enjoy your time and take more pics. I love seeing the beautiful scenery.
Wow, what a beautiful place. It sounds like a wonderful experience.
What a wonderful time with wonderful people!
Looks like a blast.
Looks like you are having a great time on your vacation:)
No I don't like Good & Plenty!!
Looking forward to more pictures of your vacation.
Deb :)
what a great way to celebrate your birthday weekend, linda!!! that area is beautiful; it reminds me of gatlinburg, tennessee. i love ski towns:)
i'm so happy for you that you enjoyed your weekend and that it was full of sweet surprises.
love,
dani
I'm so happy that you had such a great vacation! The pictures are beautiful!
:0) Sharon
Looks like a lot of fun...and beautiful photos to help you cherish the memories!
wow! what beautiful pictures! i love the mountains! and i would have hiked back down with ya!:-)
What a wonderful time on the mountain. Beautiful pictures too. Thanks for sharing!
I love Big Bear... It is so beautiful there. But we didn't do the chair lift ride. Didn't see it running.
What a great hike. I am glad you had such a good time. How fun..
Cool mountain air....ahhhhh..
The smell of pine trees...ahhh..
It looks like you had a wonderful get-away!!
Colorado is just as beautiful in the summer as it is in the winter, but those chair lift rides, I think are scarier during the summer because it looks further down and there isn't the soft snow to catch your fall...I always freak out on them then, but you are right, it is so worth it and absolutely gorgeous.
BEAUTIFUL!!! What a fabulous trip and the hike sounds wonderful!
Sound like a great time. Glad you were safe.
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