Relaxing (?) in Big Bear

The sign says Shepherd's Rest but it was anything but! Activities started on Friday night with a 60th birthday bash for Pat. She officially remained 59 until later that night but we celebrated anyway! A great meal was prepared by Diane, Lilly, Steve and Eileen. Thanks for the special treat.

The men all had the same Saturday morning plans as evidenced by the newspaper divided up and read. Note the styles of newspaper perusal....Steve is completely hidden!

Most of the gals piled in two cars and went on a four house home tour, (say that four times fast). The first house, built in 1914, had manicured gardens, a lake view and oodles of history. Most of us liked the "blackboard house". The next two homes were side by side occupied by "senior" and "junior" family members...none of us liked the junior house, so sterile in furnishings we couldn't have lived there for long. It was so "rest"ful we continued on to the Tea House. Naturally we donned hats that were waiting just inside the door. Looking pretty stylish, it was fun to pick from the wonderful menu, shop, and chat.

You would think NOW we could go back and "rest" under the pines. NO, there was an exciting horse shoe contest before dinner. Four teams competed with two teams going into the playoffs on Sunday.

Sunday dawned sunny and warm. Our next "rest" stop was way up there at the new chapel about a zillion feet up. Gathering our strength prior to our breakfast, we trekked up the hill v e r y slowly. Gasping for breath, we reached the top for an inspirational service by pastor Mike with a stunning view of the lake in the background.

Breakfast was a hearty faire of egg dishes, fruit, pastry and juice. It sustained us for our next "rest" stop. We again piled in cars for the short drive to the Big Bear Lake Performing Arts Center. http://www.bigbeartheater.org/shows.html Henry Higgins bet he could make a lady of Eliza Doolittle....he transformed her right before our eyes in the classic play My Fair Lady. Wonderful production.

Judy had ordered delicious food to save us from scrambling after the play to get dinner on the table. It really hit the spot. At some point, the horseshoe tournament commenced with lots of cheering on the sidelines.

It may not have been too "rest"ful but the weekend was a blast of fun activities.

Scroll down for an added post of our adventures Monday morning.

7:34am and 12:38pm Departures

After a lovely weekend at Big Bear we got up Monday morning, secured a few things and started the engine. A glance back at the clock told us we were getting the early start we wanted...it was 7:24. We moved out of our spot, moved toward the Irwin's motorhome in front of us, then crossed over to the gravel drive. That. Was. The. Plan. However the execution failed. Suddenly something happened, our coach suddenly ground to a halt, leaned over and wouldn't move.

At 7:34. 40 seconds we climbed out, walked toward "the problem"....and stared aghast. We had a back tire sunk in a sink hole! When I say sunk, I mean sunk....nearly to the frame of the coach. Thus began an audience of those who were up and barely at 'em. We could look in the hole, lots of water way, down, there...LOTS, way, down, there. And did I mention deep?

Before calling in a tow truck the guys suggested lifting the coach up with the rear jack. That worked, the coach rose to a level NEARLY even with the ground. Now the second stage of the "before we call the tow truck" plan was to fill the hole. LOGS were carried and thrown in...they disappeared in the murky water. More logs, and more logs, gradually the men attempted to fill the hole. The coach came down, smashed them below tire level by inches. Even more wood was needed, this after probably 12 logs were in the hole!

With the jacks down, the tire hovered over the log filled hole.

Leo participated too, he held up the motorhome so it wouldn't lean too far over. It worked!

Herculean efforts never did quite work to get us out. A tow truck was called, sent from Perris (not Paris) and would take three hours. So much for our early morning departure.

Pat made us tasty wraps for lunch, others departed. Finally we heard the tow truck coming to our rescue. Two men surveyed the situation and decided that they had to get the tow truck in back of us and left and push. It worked!

A few pictures for the record later.... we were off AGAIN at 12:38 in the afternoon. Thanks everyone, you were all such good sports for hauling logs and tossing rocks in the gaps.

After we moved, the entire hole was exposed. Where are all the logs that were thrown in? They are there, somewhere in the depths. Scary how deep this hole opened up. Judy's theory: when the snow plow clears the road, a LARGE pile is left over this spot. It slowly melts over time and this could have softened the ground enough that when we went over it, we sunk.