In October of 2022, we were in Southern California and we had a free afternoon. We drove to Big Bear Lake, which is in the mountains above San Bernardino and Redlands. In 1879, Frank E. Brown and E. G. Judson established the town of Redlands with the intent to grow oranges. They looked to Big Bear Valley for a water source. The first dam was completed in 1884 and the creation of Big Bear Lake began. It cost $68,000 and at the time, created the largest man-made lake in the world. It originally held 25,000 acre feet of water over 1,800 acres of land.

In Big Bear Lake, the town and lake share the same name. It sits at 6750 feet above sea level. Being October, there was a hint of fall in the air, but when we saw the Alpine slide we couldn’t resist. You ride a small chair lift to the slide starting point.

We then rode the Mountain coaster. It was fast, really fast and no phones or cameras are allowed. They even gave Cindy a rubber band for her hair.

In Big Bear Lake, it was a busy week-end with all kinds of end of the summer celebrations. We decided to eat at Peppercorn Restaurant. It was casual elegance…it really is all about the food!!

After dinner, we drove around the lake. Big Bear Lake is 90% man-made, created by the dam on the west-end.

In 1911, J. S. Eastwood, built a new, mulit-arch dam which replaced the original 1884 dam. It tripled the capacity of the lake to 73,000 acre feet of water and cost $138,000 to build. In 1988, the dam underwent a seismic up-grade that cost $13,000,000.

The drive back down the mountain was equally pretty. What a great small adventure!!

We had enjoyed our time in Southern California, but it was time to head home. We made a stop in Baker California at the Mad Greek. We did this on purpose, as our next adventure would start in Greece. It got us in the mood!!

Such amazing food.

When you have scheduled back to back to back adventures, you drive through the night.

Mediterranean here we come…well once we get the motorhome unloaded and put away for the winter…lol.