Big Bear Weekend Highlights Aug 29 – Sept 1

Labor Day Weekend has come and gone.  It was a beautiful weekend with blue skies, warm weather and lots of fun.   Musical gigs, a hike, a boat ride and friends – who could ask for more?

As a musician here in Big Bear, I had three shows.  First, Full Flight got a gig at The Wine Room at Wolf Creek Friday night.  Full Flight was really only 2/3 Flight as our lead guitarist was not available.  Rebecca and I were set up and ready to play when we got a call from the owners.   Could Full Flight open for Eric Lindell at The Cave?  Since it was the same company that owned both venues, we agreed and rushed over to The Cave.     We decided to stick with originals and just a couple of covers, playing acoustic guitar and flute.  After all, we were only planning on an intimate set at The Wine Room.   What an experience!  A huge stage, big graphics behind us and a very powerful house system.  A big thanks to everyone at The Cave!  Here is a video of our original “Long Cold Winter” performed there:

Afterwards, we rushed back to The Wine Room to complete our obligation there.  A nice couple actually waited over an hour for us to come back!  For their patience, we tailored our set around what they wanted to hear.  It was an exciting night and both venues went well.

Saturday morning came with sunshine and promise.  A short walk in the morning down to Boulder Bay helped to get the day going.   Rebecca’s other band – Plethora – had a gig Saturday night at the newly remodeled bar and grill in Sugarloaf called Grifters (locals still call it The Roadhouse or The Sugarloafer).  Most of Saturday was relaxing and preparing for that show.  I filled in for Steve Wilson, who is helping with the Northern California Fires right now.  When we got to Grifters at 8:00 pm, it was busy.  I was very pleased the kitchen was still open.   The area where we were supposed to set up still had customers dining so I ordered the avocado bacon burger and fries. To my surprise – the burger was huge andcame with a generous amount of fries.  I dove in and noticed this was not a bar fare burger.  It turns out they use Angus beef!  Score!  I washed it down with a beer and went to set up.  We had a great show and the place was filled to capacity.  Everyone had a great time.  Here is “Long Cold Winter” with a full band:

Sunday came and once again it was a picture perfect day.  There is one  of the worlds largest lodgepole pine trees here in Big Bear and I wanted to chronicle it before the weather changes.  I will be doing a full write up regarding this trail later this week – but here is a nice slideshow of the highlights.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Labor Day Monday found us out on a boat again – enjoying the warm weather with our friends.   We then went back and had a barbecue (of course) and watched our Saturday show with friends who could not make it that night.

Living here in Big Bear is a constant adventure.  I have done more hiking, playing, and socializing in the 7 years since I moved here than in the previous 20 years.  Writing this blog is a privilege and an honor that I hold as one of my lifetime achievements.   I thank everyone who reads and shares this, everyone who attends Full Flight or Plethora shows and all the great people who make Big Bear the wonderful place it is.

Tour de Big Bear

The Tour de Big Bear is happening tomorrow.  Most of us know it is a cycling race, but other than that?  I had a reader of The Big Bear Times tell me more about it.  Joe Dittemore lives in Redlands and comes cycling here often.  His insurance agency is a sponsor of Tour de Big Bear for the past 4 years and he has participated in the 25, 50 and 75 mile runs in the past.  This year he is going to participate in the 100 mile run called “The Climb”.

Hold on.  100 miles?  Biking throughout the Big Bear mountains?  I had to meet this guy.  He told me he would be up and we could chat during the expo while people signed up at Nottinghams today.

I met up with Joe and his wife Diana around 4 pm.  Joe was easy to find wearing a bright red Tour de Big Bear sponsor shirt.

Joe Dittemore poses by his bikes – “SHARE THE ROAD” is something he believes applies to drivers and cyclists alike

Joe told me he loves coming up to Big Bear for the fresh air.   Diana, (who is also doing “The Climb” by the way) chimed in “it’s a great healthy escape”.  They pointed out different bikes and I learned they ride “Road Bikes” which more or less evolved from the traditional “ten speed” of days past.  Thin tires and curved handlebars are the distinctive trademarks.  Mountain bikes have larger knobby tires, taller “sitting up handlebars and often times shocks.  Hybrids are “the worst of both and should be avoided at all times” Diana joked.  Basically, it has mountain bike handlebars, thinner tires and shocks.  As we made our way to take a picture with Joe and the bikes – we ran into one their friends, an interesting guy by the name of Erminio Perez.  Now his bike was something entirely unique and can only be described as a mountain bike on steroids.

Erminio Perez and his Specialized “Fat Boy”

Here are a few facts about the Tour de Big Bear:

• This is the 5th annual event
• The first event had between 200-300 participants, they expect to have over 2,000 this year.
• The Tour de Big Bear has simultaneously comprised of 4 races:
• Big Bear Valley Tour – 25 miles – 700’ Climbing – down through boulder bay and back through Fawnskin around the lake
• Big Bear Valley Tour – 50 miles – 3,012’ Climbing – down through boulder bay to Snow Valley, then back through Fawnskin around the lake.
• The Grand Tour – 70 miles – 4,800’ Climbing – the same as The Big Bear Valley tour, just add in a trip to Onyx Summit.
• The CLIMB – 100 miles – 7,425’ Climbing – the same as The Grand Tour, just add in a trip to Jenks Lake.

The races start off early in the morning and traffic tomorrow will take negotiation and tolerance.  Remember, there will be an additional 2,000 bicycles on practically every road around the lake and going halfway down the mountain.  The 18 to Apple Valley from Baldwin Lake is clear, but North Shore before it is part of the route.  If you must leave the mountain, you might want to leave before 7 am and wait till after 4 pm to come back.

As I made my way back the the sign-up area, I heard the smooth piano sounds of my friend, Mike Cross.

Mike Cross playing his smooth jazzy licks

Did you know that Tour de Big Bear funded over $35,000 in improvements last year?  $25,000 of that went to the Alpine Pedal Path Improvement Project, the path that runs by one of my favorite places, Juniper Point.

Thanks for the info Joe and good luck tomorrow.

Big Bear Weekend Update – July 25

What to do this weekend?   It will be not too hot and not too cool.  There may be chances of scattered thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday – so staying close to cover might me a good idea.

BigB The Village Gateway on Pine Knot

How about starting off Friday night with Friday Nights in The Village?  A nice stroll down Pine Knot listening to street musicians enjoying a tasty treat, checking out local arts and crafts.  Friday Nights in The Village are from 5 pm till 8 pm.

While you are at The Village, what about a movie?
Disney’s Planes: Fire and Rescue – Family Animated
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – Another new take on the cult classic
Hercules – Action and Adventure
Lucy – Sci-Fi
I will let my readers know now, I have seen none of these movies yet, we are just sharing what there is.

There is always a lot of music going on here in Big Bear – use our Big Bear Times Event Calender and to figure out who and where.
Personal recommendation: Check out Brad Riesau of Silver Moon at Barnstorm Cafe Saturday evening between 5 and 8 pm while grabbing a bite.  Tell Brad you saw this in The Big Bear Times.

Another event going on this week is the Big Bear Cycling Festival.   There is rides and events going on all week long starting  Saturday, July 26.  For the advanced – there is the first annual Big Bear MTB (Mountain Bike) Gran Fondo (Gran Tour) featuring several lengths throughout the San Bernardino National Forest.  Check in is at Nottinghams Tavern Friday July 25.
For the intermediate – Meet up at the Copper Q and go for the 20 mile or challenge yourself with the 40 mile ride.
For those that want to do a ride, but are looking for a more family cruise, there is the Wellness Ride at 9 am Saturday morning starting from the Bear Valley Community Hospital.  That sounds like more my speed, as I have not cycled avidly since, well a long time ago, lets just leave it at that.
Special thanks to reader Joe Dittmore who informed me a couple weeks ago that I was missing this event.  This is what a community blog is all about.

For those of you that are animal lovers, there is Dog Dayzzz Captain John’s Fawn Harbor Marina! All day Saturday, July 26th so come on down and be prepared to take home a new friend.  There are pet clinics, vendors, $3 hot dogs and contests too!
Thank you Stephanie Whyte for informing me about this event

I will be out of town this weekend, so readers – please comment with pictures of any events.

 

Big Bear Parks Highlight – Sugarloaf Park

 

Big Bear has many facilities around the lake and eventually I will get to them all but I thought, why not start a little off the beaten path?  One of my favorite parks in Big Bear is Sugarloaf Park.

Sugarloaf Park is located at the intersection of Maple and Baldwin and has many excellent features.  With a skateboard park, baseball field, basketball courts, public restrooms, playground, child swings, big swings, covered picnic area (this is huge) and more – this park is a gem that usually goes unnoticed by the majority of people.

The Big Bear City Fire Station 292 is on the corner of Baldwin and Maple and the park surrounds the station.

Oh, did I tell you it has a full exercise circuit?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.