BIG BEAR LAKE

After we got off of the Catalina Flyer in Newport Beach we loaded back up in the van and drove a couple of hours east to a cabin in the mountains at Green Valley Lake.  A friend of Jeff's owns a cabin there and let us stay for the night. 

In the morning we got up and took a short little walk over to the lake......

Rena and Cameron in the cabin......

Green Valley Lake isn't very big and is only about 20 minutes from Big Bear Lake so we decided to drive to Big Bear Lake and check it out.  We found this beach area that had a place for swimming and this fun slide and bouncy thing out in the lake so we decided to give it a try.

Once we got in to the beach area we found out that you have to take a swimming test before you can go out to the bouncys.  We were a little bit worried about the kids because it was a pretty long distance, you had to swim front then on your back and you could not touch the bottom once.....and the lifeguards were being strict on the rules!  Rena, Jeff and Cameron went out for the test first.......

Rena's turn.......

GO RENA!!!!!!..............

Cameron's turn -- GO CAMERON!!!!!............

WHEW!  They both made it!  Maleah and I were out there cheering them on and they both did a great job!  Maleah didn't want to take the test at the same time, so after we cheered on the others we went and took our turns -- and both passed on the first try!  :)

Once we all passed the test we headed out for some fun.  Unfortunately it was cold!!!  Maleah and Cameron didn't last long so I went back in with them while Jeff & Rena stayed out  to play.  Hard to see, but Jeff & Rena are out there on the yellow part on the left waving to us back on the beach.......

After the fun......

Once we finished up at the lake we went out for dinner and then headed back to the cabin, loaded the van again and headed home.

The drive back down the mountain had some beautiful views.  These were my best shots while the van was moving and while I was trying not to be completely nervous and scared around every corner.  Hmmm......maybe that's where Rena gets her fear of all moving things?!!?!!  :)

We had a fun little mini vacation and are glad that we got to check out two new areas near us.  We are now looking forward to hopefully making it back to Big Bear this winter when there is some snow.  Although, I'm not looking forward to a drive back up the mountain in the snow.  YIKES - if the turns made me nervous completely dry I (and Rena) may have a nervous breakdown in the snow before we make it up......or back down the mountain!  :)