Hugging a BIG Lodgepole

Our trip to the cabin in Big Bear also stimulates the adventure possibilities. We found a Discovery Center brochure left by family that recently visited the cabin. Decided to check out the Champion Lodgepole Pine. Just DRIVE the 5 mile road and HIKE the 1 mile trail (easy round trip). OK... Driving the road was the most difficult part of the trip! Dirt, Rocks, Ditches, Water, you name it. I think 2 mph was max. Truly an adventure.

The destination was a huge Lodgepole Pine tree.

The Champion Lodgepole Pine tree is estimated to be 400 years old and is 110 feet tall! The stand of trees was discovered in 1963. They are not known to inhabit elevations below 8000 feet. This is 7500. I couldn't resist giving it a HUG!

This photo was taken on the walk to the Lodgepole Pine Tree.
Interesting what nature does with its own.

Fall in Big Bear

We headed up to the cabin and the Fall colors were prime! Who says we don't have seasons here in So California. Just a couple of hours from the coast we experience all seasons.
This photo is taken from our 'moving' truck on the road to Big Bear. Looks like fire, doesn't it. It is Oak trees with their leaves turning golden in the fall. I think over the years the seeds have fallen down the crevice in the mountain and created more Oaks. Looks like an Oak waterfall. You would never know they were there during the year when all the trees are green.

This is a view of the trees at the back of the cabin. It was so pretty, photos don't quite capture it. We enjoyed watching the tree squirrels scamper about.

The minute we arrive, we put out peanuts and sunflower seeds to attract the local wildlife. Takes them a few hours to find it but then it is so fun to watch the Stellar Jays dive bombing the squirrels going for the peanuts. Then the woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees show up. Quite entertaining.

Grandchildren join us

We promised Nicole and Mark a couple months ago to watch the kids overnight so they could attend an employee event.
Well, our weekend was super busy and we just brought the kiddos along.

I met them at my Moms in Fallbrook. Here is Garrett and Aubrey climbing a Cherimoya tree in her orchard.

Didn't include a photo, but brought them to the Garden Club Plant Sale that afternoon. They helped pull wagons of plants to the cars and played in the grassy area outside the community center where it was held. We always sign up for the set-up and clean-up crew.

Sunday day was the SeaFest on the Pier in San Clemente. A chowder fest with tons of activities. They really enjoyed playing in the sand and on the swings at the beach. We rode the shuttle bus from the local High School to and from the Pier. They loved the bus ride!

Couldn't resist stoping by the local store on the way home and let them pick a pumpkin to decorate. We drew pictures and they picked the shape of eyes etc. to paint with markers on their pumpkin. Garrett is giggling at the funny face he is painting.