A bit unnerved by the prospect of hauling our trailer up Highway 38, my trepidations soon disappeared as we reached this lovely vacation paradise. It offers adventure galore for every age. We pulled into our campsite (above) at Holloway’s RV park. If we moved forward a few feet we’d be underwater. We could fish from our picnic table.
Our 90 minute venture out onto the lake was on a pirate shiip. We learned alot about the lake’s history and saw primitive cabins and multi-million dollar homes. Mel Blanc’s son-in-law came out of his lakeside cabin and sent us greetings in his daffy duck voice.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy a visit to the Discovery Center. We enjoyed the Big Bear Historical Museum and the crew of docents in period costumes.
THE BIG BEAR HISTORICAL MUSEUM FEATURES OUTBUILDINGS WITH PERIOD-DRESSED DOCENTS. IT IS A TRIP BACK INTO TIME.
THE TEACHER TOLD US ABOUT THE DUNCE CAP!
THIS 5-STAMP MILL WORKS! WE GOT TO WATCH IT STAMPING. THEY CLAIM IT IS THE ONLY WORKING STAMP MILL IN THE STATE, BUT WE SET THEM STRAIGHT. THERE IS ONE AT GOFFS WHICH WAS WORKING WHEN WE WERE THERE, AND THEY ARE NOW REFURBISHING A 10 STAMP MILL AT GOFFS WHICH MAY BE WORKING BY THE TIME WE ATTEND THEIR RENDEZVOUS IN OCTOBER.
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Alan the musician at the antique player piano.
THE CAMP BELOW REMINDS US OF “THE GOOD OL DAYS.”
Holcomb Valley is the area where gold was found and home of the Lucky Baldwin mine. There is a driving tour which features old cabins and mining sites, a hangman’s tree used for swift justice in the 1800s, and other historical areas plus great views. The loop is near the Discovery Center and covers about 16 miles.
THE ‘MEADOW’ IN THE BACKGROUND IS BALDWIN LAKE.
OUR FRIENDS, RICH & CAROLYN LIVE IN A GEODESIC DOME HOUSE THEY BUILT AT THE FAR END OF THE “LAKE”
HOME OF RICH & CAROLYN
ABOVE IS ONLY A SMALL PART OF BIG BEAR. THERE ARE LOTS OF RESTAURANTS, SHOPS, SIGHTSEEING, WATER SPORTS, AND HISTORIC SPOTS TO VISIT. WE PLAN ON RETURNING AND TAKING THE GRANDKIDS NEXT TIME.
OUR BIG BONUS, A MAGNIFICENT SUNSET:
ADIOS BIG BEAR. WE WILL BE BACK.