Big Bear Blog

Big Bear is a mecca for inspiration. It is a place that promotes community and good health. It is a land of opportunity to explore and discover the beauty of nature and the inner thrust of mankind’s spirit. Big Bear is where dreams begin and continue to thrive. I rediscovered this about Big Bear last Saturday when I joined a group hike at Cougar Crest Trail. The purpose of the climb was to conquer the first of seven summits in and around Big Bear Valley.

On this day Bertha Peak was our destination, which sits at 8,201’. I now have one summit under my belt and six to go.

The inspiration for the hike is to “Move a Million Miles for Ryan” for Big Bear’s hometown hero Ryan Hall, who is favored to win a medal in the marathon at the 2008 Olympics. The “Move A Million Miles for Ryan” campaign is a community spirit initiative sponsored by The Lighthouse Project, which is dedicated to creating a child honoring community in Big Bear. Saturday’s group hike proved that the community of Big Bear has sheer determination to “Move a Million Miles for Ryan.”

I am proud to be one of the participants as a moral booster for America’s very own Olympic medal hopeful. It’s quite easy, too. All one has to do is log his or her miles each week from hiking, jogging, walking, mountain biking or any other form of exercise that calculates mileage without using a motorized vehicle. This week I logged 11.5 miles. I hope to double that his week and continue to contribute each week until the Olympics.

I feel like I have become part of a team that is spiritually connected to help Ryan Hall succeed at this year’s Olympics. It is like a pep rally from another world that is developing into mass energy propelled by the human spirit. As more and more participants join the “Move A Million Miles for Ryan” campaign the orb of human energy will even grow stronger.

I tip my hat to the folks at BigBearOutdoorActivities.com for organizing a successful turnout to the first “Seven Summits of Big Bear” group hike. I was absolutely stunned when I showed up to the Cougar Crest Trail parking lot to find it was completely full. In fact, I had to park on the main highway with another twelve vehicles or so. I was expecting about ten, maybe fifteen hikers at the most. Much to my surprise there were about 40-50 hikers to take part in the first of seven group hikes scheduled for 2008. It makes me wonder if these group hikes will grow to 100 people or more.

I found out about the “Seven Summit” hikes through Active Big Bear, which is a community of outdoor enthusiasts who plan out a variety of outdoor-related activities. If you are not already a part of this great community go to BigBearOutdoorActivities.com to sign up. Active Big Bear is constantly giving its members opportunities to share the great outdoors together with fun and adventurous activities from bike rides around the lake to a leisurely hikes to Castle Rock. This is a great opportunity to meet folks with similar interests and motivations to enjoy the great outdoors. Check out the photo gallery from the March 29th group hike at Bertha Peak.

The “Seven Summits of Big Bear: is a great inspirational tool to discover what Big Bear has to offer; it is a great way to see Big Bear from various perspective views; and it is a great way to connect with people who admire the great outdoors. I look forward to the next “Seven Summits of Big Bear” outing that is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 at 9 a.m. The summit we plan to conquer is Gold Mountain (8,235′). I hope to see you there. 

Climb to the Peak, 

Daniel Pea 

Well Easter was quite pleasant indeed. I woke the morning to a bright sunny day here in Big Bear, and immediately recognized the temperature was a little warmer than the previous days. Instantly, I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to get outside and RUN!

That’s right I haven’t put on the running shoes in four months. It was the first time since October that I didn’t feel a relentless chill nipping at my spine or frigid air overwhelming my lungs.

I was ecstatic to finally have the opportunity to have a comfortable run in the great outdoors, without worrying about cold temps. I dusted off my running shoes, threw on some comfy duds, filled up a water bottle, clipped on my pedometer and set my IPod to random shuffle. The adrenaline was pumping!

Well, I must admit I am a bit out of shape, but nonetheless I was able to get in two miles. This is just a start, a spring warm-up if you will. My legs feel like bricks today. But who cares, the main thing is the conditions were comfortable enough to run in. Alleluia!

During my run I committed to train for the Big Bear Marathon in September. That’s right Big Bear is hosting a full on marathon, which is expected to draw between 2,000-3,000 runners. I decided that I can probably run the half marathon (13.1 miles), and be content.

So let the training begin. It is time to dust off the running shoes and let the high altitude take its course. For my next run, I plan to get out into the backwoods trails and do some real running.

Cheers to running season,

Daniel Pea

Get your bikes tuned up boys and girls this is going to be a great season for cycling. This was a rough winter for those of us that ride all year round with treacherous road conditions, due to the intensity from the storms. One of the worst aspects was the amount of ice that accumulated along the edges.

Now that spring is in the air, the majority of the ice has melted from the edge of the roads. It’s much safer now and much more fun to ride your bike.

However, there are still some spots to watch out for. If you’re coming up to ride please be cautious and considerate of every one else on the road. While you’re at it, bring your running shoes and a way to carry some munchies because the hiking and jogging is superb right now…cool enough to not fry you and warm enough so you don’t need to dress in heavy layers.

Our recent warm spell brought out the local bikers, hikers and runners and it’s great to see that color is back in style. It’s so much more fun and interesting when you see people getting out and enjoying the mountains wearing clothes that match their vibrant lifestyle. As a photo-journalist it was frustrating there for awhile when everyone was wearing all black everything…pictures…BO-RING…If you’re out there participating in a high energy outdoor sport then why do you want to dress like a funeral procession?…never could figure that one out…

Go buy some new brightly colored gear, grab some friends and pack the camera. It really doesn’t matter what you wear because once you get here the mountain takes center stage and nobody cares what you’ve got on anyway.

spreading the love and the truth, rev

The lake is almost ice free, the marinas are starting to put things together, and on April 1st the public launch ramps will be open.
This is the time to get your boat and fishing tackle ready; not when your boat is setting on the launch ramp!

Tips to make sure your boats in good working order:
1. Charge your batteries! There’s a good chance if you haven’t charged them this winter, the batteries may be dead.
2. Inspect the hull, wiring connections, and fuel lines. Install your drain plug. If you have a fresh water flushing system on your motor, start your motor at home!
If your engine is in good working condition it should start right away. If it’s hard to start, have a mechanic check it out! This can save your trip, time, and money!
3. Check your Safety Equipment: Life Jackets, Throw Cushions, Signal Flares, Fire Extinguisher, Signaling Devise, Lights, Flags, and Anchor.
4. Check your trailer: Wiring Harness, Tie Downs, and Bow Hook. If they are in bad shape replace them. Grease your Wheel Bearings and check your tire pressure including the spare!
5. Make sure you have a current registration for your boat, or you can’t launch!

Fishing Tackle:
1. Shine up your tarnished lures, and sharpen your hooks.
2. Put new fishing line on all your reels.
3. Check the drags on your reels. After setting awhile drags will usually be sticky. Adjust the drag, and pull off about 30 feet of line. That should help smooth them up. Also, when your done fishing, back the drag off on your reels. This will take the pressure off the drag washers, and help keep them working properly longer.
4. Take shear material like discarded panty hose, or even a cotton ball, and run it through each one of the guides on your fishing rods. If there is a rough spot or a crack (many times you won’t see it!), this will cause your line to break and loose fish.
5. Stop by your favorite marina tackle or sporting goods store, get your fishing license, and check out the newest lures and baits. You might find a few that make 2008 your best fishing season ever!

FishBigBear.com