Monday, May 7, 2012

Big Bear

We had a nice little weekend away in Big Bear.  On Saturday afternoon we watched the Kentucky Derby.
Noah was stuck to Geeps like glue.  He doesn't get to see Geeps nearly as much as he sees me. 
Since it was Cinco de Mayo, we went to a new Mexican food restaurant for dinner.  If you are familiar with Big Bear, you know that it is a beautiful place.  However, it is not known for it's eateries.  We chose a place we had not been to yet, but heard it was good.  Jacalito's.  NOPE.  Not good.  No bueno!!!!   When they brought the chips and those tasted awful, we should have left.  Crossing that place off of our list!! 
We went back to the cabin and watched a cute kids movie.  Monster House.  Noah loved it. 
We woke up to a chilly clear skied morning.  It was 32 when I got up, but warmed a bit when I took this.
Ducey helped us put peanuts out for the birds.
Noah loves to feed the birds.
After a lazy morning in the cabin, we got ready for our day.

We went to our one and only favorite place to eat on the mountain, Blanca & Pierre's for breakfast.  Delicious as always!  They are located in Boulder Bay, tucked in between the little Boulder Bay Market and a Realty.  She makes the best food!  We go every time we are in town.  Her burgers are the absolute best!!!  And she makes incredible pies and sweets.  We always wind up bringing something home with us. 
After breakfast we took Noah up to the zoo in Moonridge.  We always enjoy seeing the animals. 
The bald eagles mesmerize me.  I have only seen one in the wild once.  It was at Bass Lake.
None of my other pictures of the animals turned out too well, because I was using auto and the shots focused on the chain link, and not the animal.  But one of my favorite exhibits is the bears.  These bears were all relocated from Yellowstone after the three strike rule.  They had become aggressive towards humans.  
Noah rushed us through the exhibits a little, but he seemed to enjoy it too.
When we were leaving, he spotted this tube of cars in the little gift shop.  Who gets "cars" at the gift shop when visiting the zoo?   NOAH does!!!
I was a little bit surprised at the amount of snow left  up on the hillsides.  This is Bear Mountain Ski Resort, right next to the zoo.
I think the mountains are so beautiful.  In every season.  But Spring time just may be my favorite.  The lilacs come up wild everywhere.  Although we missed the lilacs this time, the daffodils put on a show every place we went.
We decided to take a new way back to the cabin, and drove along all of the side streets where pretty cabins dot the lake.  We were trying to decide which one to buy.  ( We wish!)



In about 10 years, we will retire to our favorite mountain community.   So we love to drive around and dream about where that will be.  However, it will most certainly not be right on the lake.   Darn!!
We made a stop at Boulder Bay and walked out onto the dock, and then through the park.


There were some guys having real good luck right off of the dock there.  Greg was wanting to "wet a line" real bad!!!  I took Noah and Geeps picture with Louie, and then we headed back to the cabin.
We took a couple more nature walks, and poked around before heading back down the hill.
Walking downstairs, I took this picture of a quilt I left up at my Mom's place.  This was not my first quilt made, but one of the early ones.  A large block sampler from Thimbleberries.  
 This is a photo I have always loved of my parents.  I think that they had this done at Octoberfest up here one year.  It hung in our other cabin too.  
It captures the sense of "fun" that we always had with our parents.  So many great times.  I was recently talking with our oldest daughter Gennifer, about how much work it is for the parents when planning and packing for a trip away.  Even if it is overnight.  But then, you get there, and you see the fun the kids have,  and it is always worth it.  My brothers and I have a childhood full of wonderful memories from the trips we took with our parents.  Of course, as a kid, we were never made aware of the countless hours spent planning, shopping for, packing for, and preparing for, these trips.  All we knew was the fun we had when we were there.  These great times from countless trips, fill our memories with happiness of our time spent as a family.  And THAT is why we do it.  THAT is why the work to pack and prepare, and plan, are always worth it.  My parents gave us that gift.  We gave our kids that gift.  And now, our kids are giving their kids that gift.  Thank you Mom and Dad for always giving us that!!  My Dad is no longer with us, but the memories that we have are priceless.   Luckily for Greg and I, we get to make some memories with our grandkids too, just like my folks did with all of our children.
We got back home yesterday afternoon, with just enough time for a quick shower, and then we shared a delicious dinner with Gennifer and Jake and the girls at their house.  And then, we ate pie!!!!
XO  Kris

28 comments:

Bethany said...

Well that looks like a fun weekend!! Those were my favorite trips, too, when we were little--the shore or the mountains (both equal distances from our house). We always used to think my mom was losing her mind the week before (with all the planning and packing, etc.) but now I totally get it :)

Bethany said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cheryl said...

Love the picture of Geeps and Noah...talk about a memory!!! Looks like the perfect weekend, and time to reflect on the wonderful times you had with your parents, For sure quite a gift that your parents gave you!

Taking Heart said...

Lake time with my grandparents will always be a very cherished part of my childhood. Nice post, stirred up some fond memories of my own.

Gloria Baker said...

look absolutely fun Kris and really love the pictures:)

Tammy said...

What a great trip! It's so pretty there. Love the pictures!

pembrokeshire lass said...

Hi what a wonderful and memorable day!! Aren't grandchildren the best??! I loved the photos.
I saw bald eagles when staying with some friends in Wisconsin and they took me to.....River at....
I just can't remember but I do remember seeing so many bald eagles in the wild!! Joan

Pam said...

What a fun and beautiful place to spend the weekend. Traveling in our motor home is a ton of work but the memories we are making for our family makes it worth it!

Debbie said...

Oh how I love Big Bear. I am sure I told you we had a cabin there when I was growing up and we went almost every week-end for a few years. Our cabin was close enough to the zoo that we walked (hiked I guess is the proper word!) there every day. How we loved it! Such memories we made there....will never forget them. Love the pic of Geeps and Noah. Glad your making memories now with your grands. Love the pic of your parents! haha....Enjoy your week....

Brenda Pruitt said...

Yum, pie sounds good! So glad you had a good time with your grandson.
Brenda

DaCraftyLady said...

Glad your having a fun time at the cabin, I wish I was up there with you....we are going up over Memorial Day for 5 days. :) The weather still looks a bit cool...I hear in the sun it might get to 50'? I love the zoo....the flowers are pretty and I love the quilt, the photo of your parents is so funny...~~Debb

Genn said...

thanks for that pie!!!!! ;)

i have always loved that pic of gma and papa and the bear too!

love the pic of noah snuggling with geeps watching the derby. looks like he had fun with you guys.

kathy b said...

LOved the Big Bear tour
and the image of your folks and the bear.....so cute and so telling. They clearly know how to have fun and share it with others!

Debby said...

What a great time you have had!! We too like to take trips with our grown kid's and all the grands. You are so right with all the work that goes into a big family outing but such memories will never be forgotten. Love the photo of your Mom and Dad, you have a very blessed family

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, Bear Lake is so beautiful, now wonder you want to retire there-I would. Thanks for sharing the wonderful time with us; we loved the Derby this weekend.
Hope you have a great evening, it is cold here.
Hugs, Noreen

Nicolle said...

Well, Boyd would have wanted that tube of cars too! :) I always love seeing your pictures at Big Bear. It looks like heaven up there. So pretty. Too bad about that one restaurant. Maybe that is a sign, you should move up there and open a restaurant with all of your good cooking! I would come for sure.

xo.

Patty Marker said...

It sounds like a perfect weekend. I agree with the making of memories for our kids and now grandkids. I didn't grow up close to grandparents so I am sure to plan and organize as many fun memory trips as possible for mine. Have a warm week. Patty

The Tuscan Home said...

Ahhh, looks so relaxing, Kris! Great pictures. xo ~Liz

Whosyergurl said...

Kris, It looks SO beautiful up there! You certainly have a blessed, blessed life.
Hugs to you, my friend!
xo, Cheryl

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for taking us along on your trip! Big Bear reminds me of the good times our family spent in cabins or tenting at Yosemite or Lake Tahoe. The scent of the pines in the warm sunshine is so wonderful. I'm glad you had a good time and are looking forward to spending more time there! <3

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

What a fun post, Kris! I really love that first photo! Looks like such a great getaway...and I love what you said about making it special for your family!

Teresa Kasner said...

Wow, Kris.. such a nice time you all had. I can imagine how nice it is there. I spent time at Tahoe for several years in a row and enjoyed it immensely. Makes me want to go back and take our trailer.
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Mereknits said...

Such a nice weekend get away. The surrounding area look so beautiful. Love the pictures of the owls and eagle. I have seen several eagles here in Florida and when we were on a trip to Alaska, they are amazing.
Hugs to you,
Meredith

Sinta Renee said...

first of all... dang it... the Kentucky derby was on Sat? I hate that I missed that! Second... I am packing my bag/I am sure you won't notice one more person in all the fun. Those little ones are going to have the best childhood memories and no doubt pass the love of camping and family/friends along to their children!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Big Bear Lake looks so rustic and wonderful, Kris. It must have made Noah feel so special to be able to spend this get away with you both. He looked like he was having such a good time in all the photos. You are giviung him the same wonderful memories your parents gave to you.

I'm glad those Yellowstone bears were given a second chance and not put to death.

Katie said...

What an adorable pic of Greg & Noah. Your grands are keeping the 2 of you young! ;) You guys are passing on such a precious gift to them!

Just a little something from Judy said...

The mountains are one of my favorite places to be. I think your pictures share the peaceful, relaxing, and fun time you all had. What special gifts of time you are giving your little guy.

Jill said...

Looks like a wonderful time! I love that picture of your parents!!

blessings,
Jill