by

 

This summer, my family decided to do small trips throughout my daughter’s school break.  She’s a soccer player and is training a lot this summer.  We’ve decided to stay close to home, so she can attend everything on her soccer schedule and just recently, we did a quick trip to Big Bear.

This particular weekend was perfect for our daughter’s busy schedule.  Though, we were heading up to Big Bear during a thunderstorm. It was a tropical storm downgraded from a hurricane, that came up from Mexico. Our Big Bear trip during a summer storm, turned out to be something to remember…

 

 

 

Big Bear is located in the San Bernardino National Forest.  It’s just 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles.  This trip, we stayed at The Grey Squirrel Resort.  This lodge consists of many cabins of all different sizes.  They’re very pet friendly.  We took, Holly, our beagle mix and was very welcomed there.

 

 

Our cabin was a 3 bedroom cabin.  It was way too big for our little family, but they overbooked the cabin that we reserved.  So, they upgraded us.  Nice touch.  We really enjoyed the extra room

 

 

 

 

The first evening in Big Bear, we decide to walk to Boulder Bay.  This bay is part of Big Bear Lake.  It was a short walk.  Still wet, but the rain was light and the weather was mild.  Our dog really enjoyed the walk, so did we.

 

 

Boulder Bay is a popular spot on Big Bear Lake.  So scenic and tranquil, yet very easy to access. The storm clouds always makes a picture so much more dramatic. Love it!

 

 

 

The next day, we head out to do our favorite hike in Big Bear, the Cougar Crest Trail Hike. The weather forecast said 90% chance of rain.  We decided to see if we can beat the storm. Though, the clouds looked ominous, it was still warm and the lake looked beautiful from the trail.

It was raining when we started the hike.  We talked to people coming down the trail and they said it was hailing at the top of the mountain.  We knew we had little time.  We were right.  It started to rain on us.  Within a few minutes it was a down pour.  Ten minutes later, we needed to take cover under a tree.  Our poor dog was soaked and shivering.  We decided to wait until the rain passed..

 

The storm only got worse. On top of that, while we were hovering under a tree, a lightning strike hit about 70 yards from us.  I have never experienced anything like it.  I saw the zig zag of the lightning, so vividly.  I saw the smoke, when the lightning struck the ground. We immediately knew that the hike was over.  We had to turn back and run down the mountain, as fast as we can, to avoid any other lightning strike.  This storm became too dangerous.

 

 

 

As we head back down the trail, we see other hikers racing down the trail, too.  Some parts of the trail turned into little lakes.  We were forced to bush whack in some areas, to get around the rushing water that was creating lakes everywhere.

 

 

 

We were all drenched, especially our little dog.  But, my daughter did a great job taking care of her.  She carried her through the rushing water areas.  Holly was fine and wasn’t at all afraid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This time, the hike wasn’t a success. This one goes to Mother Nature.  We should’ve listened to the weather forecast.  When it says 90% chance of thunderstorm, it means, don’t go out for a hike!  We’ll be back though.  We still had a blast!

 

 

 

Holly needed to be  cleaned off before getting in the car.  Once we got back to the cabin, off to the bath she went.  All dried off and warm.  She’s good as new!  What a good girl she was, during this ordeal.

 

 

 

 

Holly’s owners looked like wet rats too!  We were drenched, as well.  A bath was in order for all of us.  A warm fire in our cabin and were cozy and warm!

We were starving  that night, so a good dinner was a must.  We went into town.   Brian was eyeing a a place called The Himalayan Restaurant, so we thought we’d give it a try.  What a great choice it was!  Totally hit the spot, delicious!

 

 

The next morning, we decided to play it safe.  Forecast said thunderstorms, even though it was the nicest day of the weekend, thus far.  We decided to walk the Stanfield Marsh boardwallk over the south shore of Big Bear Lake.  What’s so crazy is, with all the pouring rain we experienced the day before, the lake shows how bad the drought really is in California.

 

 

Beautiful Stanfield Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve.  At one time, this area was full of water.  Clearly, not anymore.  It is a great spot to view waterfowl and fish, when there’s water.  But, with  the current drought conditions, it has made this area completely dry.  A few spots with water, but hardly. Still a great place to go on a quiet walk.

 

 

 

On our way out, we stop at  the Visitor Center in Big Bear.  Such a great, educational visitor center.  The center is also very pet friendly, which is always a big plus for us!  Be sure to stop in, if you’re ever up in Big Bear.  They really do a great job in informing the visitors about this beautiful area.