Big Bear Lake

Monday, we headed to Big Bear Lake for a three day getaway in the San Bernardino Mountains.  Neither of us had been there.  The lake is at 6,752 feet elevation, and the area hosts lake recreation in the summer, and snow sports in the winter.  Since this was the slack season, we were able to enjoy the sights economically and without crowds.  The population of Big Bear Lake is just over 5,000, but on some summer weekends swells to over 100,000!

 There is a multi-use trail along the north side of  the lake that we rode our bikes on.  We were treated to some fall color - a rarity in Southern California.

A solar observatory, originally built in 1969 by Caltech, is surrounded by water to provide a cooling effect on the air around the building to help eliminate ground heat radiation waves that would normally cause optical aberrations. The high elevation means the sky is much clearer, also.

 The evening "alpenglow".

 We love dedicated bike paths!

 Just before sunset.

 The lone fisherman in his boat.

 Tuesday morning, we did a six mile hike up Cougar Crest Trail to a peak above the lake.

 Near the crest we paused for this dead tree.

 We looked west out over the distant fog.  There appeared to be a vortex in the fog that's not so apparent in this picture.

 Gail, give me that camera back!

 I loved this old snow cat, with its handmade bodywork.  After our hike, we headed down to the Himalayan Restaurant.

 The Himalayan Restaurant in the Big Bear Village billed itself as the best Nepalese restaurant in California, which is quite likely true.  Mustang beer from Nepal made for a perfect pairing.

 The flavors were divine!  We have been inspired to try a little Himalayan style cooking this winter.

 The main street of  The Village had a fun fall atmosphere.  We got a little silly when we kept "seeing" characters from Orange is the New Black, which Gail and I started watching in the evenings on this trip.

Highway 18 is a mere ledge stuck on the side of  the mountain as it drops about 5,000 to the flat lands.  All along it are potential rock falls - you wouldn't want to be on this one during a rainy night!  The traffic gods were kind to us, however, and we returned home to our awaiting kitties in good time.