Big Bear Lake Sunday, September 3, 2006

Saturday, September 2nd, just before 4pm, I headed out the door armed with directions to Big Bear Lake from Google Maps. The directions were accurate except for a detour required to stay on the 215 between Highway 60 and I-10. Through several calls on the cell phone Matt and Bill guided me into a safe landing, after a beautiful drive up the mountain, through the forest, and part way down the other side. Every turn was a photo opportunity but they were graciously holding dinner so I kept going. I arrived in time for an excellent homemade Mexican dinner, John's birthday celebration, and some cutthroat Uno. John is seated in front of his birthday cake baked by Matt. Behind him, left to right is: Bill, Brad, Matt, and Steve.

Matt brought his kids, Thunder and Belle. Sunday morning he saddled them up for a ride up the mountain. Both are incredibly calm and weren't bothered at all by the mountain bikers, occasional truck, or even a couple of motorcycles that came down the trail.

Matt and Thunder above Big Bear Lake.

Ignore the geek who forgot his cowboy hat, this picture is about Belle, such a great lady, and the mountains.

Matt and Thunder and the mountains.

One last photo before loading the kids into their trailer and heading down the mountain. Thanks to our hosts John and Bill and a big Thank You to Matt for inviting me to Big Bear.

Palms Spring Aerial Tramway August 20, 2006

Saturday, August 19, I drove to Palm Springs where Steve ; who works with me, far left; is remodeling a house he bought with his friend and business partner Mike: standing next to him on tippy toes. After going out to dinner we did some country western dancing at Sidewinders. This picture was taken Sunday after breakfast. Thanks guys for your fabulous hospitality and in the middle of a remodel. A short time later they got back to work on their house and I went off to meet...

... Adolfo and Liam to take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mount San Jacinto: www.pstramway.com. After a steep drive we parked our cars and got on this diesel powered tram for a short ride up to the tram station.

After buying our tickets and a short wait, it was our turn to board the tram and begin our ascent. The floor of the tram rotates giving everyone 360 degree views.

Approaching the top.

We made it to the top and took a last look down to see how high we'd come.

Lunch at 8500 feet.

The coloring of these squirrels is amazing. Unless they're close, or moving, you can't see them.

Palm Springs and Highway 10 far below.

The pale blue area at the top of the picture is the Salton Sea, 40 miles away.

On the other side of the Tram Station is the entrance to Mount San Jacinto State Park.

Adolo's camera has a really strong optical zoom he used to capture this picture.

We took a longer 1 1/4 mile loop.

Adolfo and Liam show how large the trees are. These are Jeffrey's Pines and when you put your nose up to the bark they give off a distinctive butterscotch, vanilla scent.

A critter we met along the way.

Adolfo gets a percentage every time he appears shirtless.

The forest has a spiritual, cathedral like quality.

When I met up with Adolfo and Liam about 11:30am I thought we'd have a nice ride to the top of the mountain, see a View, take some pictures and head back down in 2 hours tops; leaving me plenty of time to stop at Matt's house, just north of Palm Springs, before heading back to San Diego. I didn't realize there was a whole forest to explore and views that took your breath away at every turn; except the butterscotch, vanilla, pine scented clear, clear air makes you want to stay there for a week just breathing.

We didn't get back down to our cars until 5:30. Matt had already headed out for a ride with his horses and I needed to head home. Thank you Matt for understanding; I think we made up for it a couple weeks later at Big Bear. Thanks to Adolfo for sharing photographs; and to Liam who, sadly, has had to return to Oz. And thanks to you, readers of my blog, for patiently waiting for updates. I plan to get back to Mount San Jacinto often, to see it in all seasons.