Labor Day Weekend In Big Bear

Hi there!  Remember me?  I have been unable to use my computer for a week or so, because we had to order a new power cord.  I know you are probably sick and tired of seeing my posts about Big Bear.   So if you are, just skip this post over and come and see me another time.  I will be catching up with all of you in the next few days.  I have hundreds of emails to wade through too. 
We joined our oldest daughter and her family up in the mountains this weekend at my Mom's cabin home in Big Bear.  We have been up there quite a lot this summer, and this was the first time that the weather was just perfect.  Warm enough to be on the boat without a sweatshirt during the day, and cool enough to enjoy the nearly 30 degree difference in the temperature that we were experiencing at home.
We spend most of our days out on the water.  Fishing, floating, snacking, napping, sunning, swimming, playing, etc.
I captured this photo of my granddaughter Hannah and just loved it.  She wasn't aware I was snapping away as she was enjoying her cookie and looking out over the water.  I sat there wondering, what is she thinking?  Is she taking in all of the beauty around her?  Is she thinking, wow, I love this place!!!?? 

Or was she just thinking, this is one good Snickerdoodle?  I am not sure.  But I thought she looked beautiful gazing out at the lake, so unaware that anyone was watching her. 

Miss Claire was also enjoying her cookie, along with alternating bites of M & M's. 

We had such a good time out on the lake with the kids.  We met up with their friends, and the kids jumped from boat to boat, and in and out of the water.  They watched Geeps fish, ready and waiting with the net.

Our son Drew and his girlfriend Diana came up for the day too.  We stayed out on the lake until the sun began to slip away behind the tall pines, and cast long shadows on the water.

Greg and I went to dinner to celebrate our 33rd Anniversary, and Drew and Diana went back down the hill.
After our dinner out, we went back to the cabin and watched Tombstone and Greg popped us some popcorn.  Our family has always loved this movie.  Gennifer can recite the entire thing, word for word.  In fact, we all do it, all the way through the movie.  Which would be obnoxious for anyone who hasn't seen it.  But to us, we get a big kick out of ourselves.  Especially Gennifer.   She uses the voice overs and all!!! 

The next day Gennifer and Jake took the girls to the Alpine Sled, and Greg and I went boating alone in the morning.   They loved the Alpine Sled, and can't wait to go back.
Here are the Hass' coming in from a walk.  I was standing on the deck to take their picture.  Behind them, you can see the Peek a Boo view of the lake that Mom has from the cabin.  They went home Sunday after we had lunch at Blanca & Pierre's.  So we loaded up and went back out on the boat for the afternoon.

Our friends Ron and Sue were still up there, and on Sunday we side tied with them down by the dam. 
They had friends visiting from the desert.  Susan and Craig.  They are a hoot!!! 
We got all tied up together, and Greg may have mentioned that Sue is a better First Mate than I am.  She throws over the buoys, stows the fishing gear, handles the ropes, and anything else a First Mate should be doing.  Greg says I was much better at it when I was young(er).   Hmm, what do you suppose he means?

Usually when we are on the boat together, I am busy.  Very busy!  I do a lot of this.

And this....

And this.....

I was also busy making this.

Which I wore, and it just so happened to match  my new bathing suit too.

I also made another lace scarf.

The colors in this one are so pretty.  Turquoise, browns, copper, black.  Reminds me of Santa Fe New Mexico! 
Greg fished a LOT!  He just couldn't get enough.  He caught lots of trout this weekend.  He was so proud that he actually caught more than his buddy Ron.

I think he was gloating a little bit here.  He held his fish up to the heavens, and then even kissed it!! 
I loved this photo above, with the kayak directly in the beam of light cast from the waning sun on the lake.

EWWWW!!!   I think Greg may have caught more this time because "someone" was found asleep on the job!

Ron and Sue and their friends had invited us back to their place for a steak dinner, so we cancelled our reservations at Sweet Basil and went home to freshen up and clean the fish.  One of the fish was choc full of roe.  I felt bad.

They put the trout on the bbq and we had them for appetizers before our delicious steak dinners. 
We left Ron and Sue's and turned in fairly early so the guys could all meet at sunup on the dock for their last day of fishing.  I had a delightful morning alone at the cabin, drinking my coffee out on the deck and reading.  It was bliss.  I got ready for the boat, and as soon as Greg returned, we headed back out.  We spent the entire day, from about 11:00 to 5:30 on the lake.  It was heavenly.  The weather was perfect.  Most of the weekenders had gone home, and we practically had the lake to ourselves.  We trolled, and floated out in the middle of the lake, searching for the "Big One" that never quite made it to the hook.
About mid day, we noticed smoke up over the Holcolm Valley.  Before long, we heard sirens, and then watched in amazement as the fire helicopter maneuvered over to the dam, and dropped the big basket for water, into the lake with perfect precision, and then ever so slowly, it would ascend, and then disappear over the mountain with the water.  This occurred about 6 times, and each time, we watched it repeat the drill, and then off it went to drop water on the fire in the valley.  I wanted to go closer to the dam to get better pictures, but Greg was sure that "The Big One" was about to jump on his hook any second and refused to move.

We floated and trolled our way to the East end of the lake to see if we could watch some of the parasailing.  But first a pit stop at the S.S. Relief!

 There are two of these floating bathrooms on the lake. 
As soon as we got to the East end of the lake, we saw a pair of parasailers going up, up and away.

I want to do that some day!   Maybe.
Before the kids left, I wanted one of them to take a picture of Greg and I.  My all time favorite photo of us was on the boat, taken at Bass Lake.  Well, we didn't get the photo.   But I took a self portrait.
It's good of Greg, awful of me.  He said, "That's what we look like Bunny!"

 I have a turkey neck!  But we look happy, because we were.  Are.   And so, I love it.
And I really loved this one of Greg.

We stayed out on the lake.  Fishing.  Relaxing.  Floating.  Napping.  Laughing.  Listening to music.  Talking.  Just enjoying a perfect day.  I always have fun up in Big Bear.  But this particular weekend I felt light hearted.  Free of worry.  Content.  Our son, was supposed to be leaving that weekend.  Far, from home.  I was sick about it.  He has changed his mind, and will be waiting a bit.  There are no words to describe the relief I felt.  And so, the weekend was pure joy.  Every moment.  No worries.  At least for a few lovely days.....the world was perfect.
XO  Kris