Well every year we celebrate our anniversary on the 4th of July. It makes for a extra special time because we can enjoy both the amazing fireworks displays and a nice romantic time together. Well, this year wasn't all that romantic but just as special. We headed to the local mountains to watch the fireworks over the lake. Big Bear lake to be exact. Where our first date happened 4 years ago.
Our plan was to head up for the day and walk along the village downtown, take the TJ out for it's maiden voyage in the dirt and finish our day at a restaurant along the lake side for the fire works.
The day started off by leaving the house after putting the flag out. Don't worry, we left the light on.
Dixie knew we were headed somewhere and wanted to go. It's hard for us not to take her. So we gave in of course. How could you say not to a face like that?
We headed on our way, excited for the day ahead! Yosh even bought me a new Cold Play CD for our anniversary to listen to up the mountain. It was great!
Dixie and her playmate (not that kind!) rode in the back of the Jeep.
Over a bit over an hour on the road the lake was in site. We are lucky to live so close to this great place. We were excited to step out into cooler temperatures and fresh air.
Our first stop in downtown Big Bear Lake was the Village. There's plenty of shops, places to eat and other novelty places. We picked up ice cream, some beefy jerky and Dixie scored a new bandana.
Dixie's new bandana.. "What happens on the walk , stays on the walk!"
Another dog with a bandana just for the occasion. This dog was a beast!!! He made me look small!! Awesome dog.
Yosh and Dixie hanging out on the steps on main st.
After touring around the downtown village we decided to take a break from walking and hop in the Jeep for its maden voyage. I stopped at the local gas station, filled up the cooler with ice, sodas and water. With beef jerky from the local shop, we were set! I arrived at the Holcomb valley trail head and told Yosh to drive. This was her time, her Jeep! I wanted her to be the first to get the tires dirty!!
At this point she had never driven a 4 wheel drive vehicle off road. She was intimidated at first, but quickly got the hang of it and realized that the Jeep could do more than she thought.
Running into other Jeeps on the trail, Yosh quickly learned what the Jeep waive meant.
She also learned that just cause we aren't on the highway doesn't mean we don't follow the rules. She listened well and paid good attention to other drivers as they passed. I was so proud of her.
Climbing up out of the valley. She drove over the jagged rock road with finesse.
We arrived at the top of Gold Mtn. What a view. Baldwin Lake in the distance.
To the northest a view of the Mojave Desert.
After a quick break at Gold Mtn, we headed onward to Holcomb Valley. We stopped about halfway through to take a break and open anniversary gifts. It was kind of neat being in the middle of the forest with no one else around to do this. It made it very memorable.
We usually don't splurge too much on anniversary's so we decided no gifts. However, we both broke the rules like always. Yosh bought me a new Tread Lightly hat.
Funny story behind this hat. The previous weekend to this trip, i had lifted her Jeep, taken the top off and lost my tread lightly hat on the freeway in a gust of wind. Well, for our anniversary i bought parts for her jeep and she bought me a new hat. It was very funny how the hat made it full circle so to speak!
Yosh standing next to her fully decked out Jeep. For our anniversary she got a front bumper, lights and light brackets.
Dixie on point for anything moving in the area.
We decided to hike to Ross Grave. It was a short walk from where we were so why not. Here is a man that we know nothing about, except that he was killed in an accident while operating a saw. He was buried on the spot. Someone even took the time to hand carve a picket fence and place it around his grave. The population of Holcomb Valley temporarily climbed to 1400 in 1861, during the peak of the gold rush.
We also made a small hike to Pigmy Cabin.... or what's left of it. Built in the 1850's also. Much of it is gone.
The tree's in this area were amazing. Some were even used to hang people. Along with the gold rush and those out for an honest fast buck, came the outlaws and thieves. There were 50 murders in Holcomb Valley in just two years time from when gold was discovered.
We headed on our way only to find yet another cabin. The Bellville. This one in better condition.
The town of Belleville sprung up east of the original discovery of gold. There was a store, two butcher shops, two laundries, a bakery, three carpenter shops, two blacksmiths, a stamp mill and a sawmill. To celebrate the Fourth of July, the blacksmith's wife made a flag out of her petticoats. To honor her for her patriotism, the town was named after her daughter Belle, the first child to be born in Belleville. In the election of 1861, Belleville missed taking the county seat from San Bernardino by only two votes.
The view from the Bellville cabin was breath taking. It lies in the middle of Holcomb valley.
After finishing up on the trail for the day, we headed back into town. It was crowded as heck, but we proceeded with our original plan to eat anyways. Upon entering the parking lot for the restaurant we were greeted by someone telling us they were filled and don't have enough parking for patrons with reservations. It was super busy.
Well, luckily we had a friend in the area with a cabin that happened to be home. Our friends called us throughout the day, telling us to come up.. so we ended up heading up there. We'd be foolish to pass up steaks, great beer and a place to stay instead of the local McDonald's parking lot! See we took them up on their offer.
Sunset on the way up to the cabin.
Cars and boats every inch of the resort area.
Views of the fireworks from the deck overlooking Big Bear Lake.
Pouring back a cold one during the fireworks celebration.
The following morning we headed home well rested from a fun day. We drove home, relaxed all day and then Yosh got her special anniversary dinner. A local chinese place we love in our home town called the Mandarin Taste. The best chinese food you'll ever have! If you're ever in Orange County, email me and i'll tell you where it's at.
Well, it was a great anniversary and 4th of July! I want to especially thank Pelle, Erika and Penelope for their great hospitality. Your cabin was a wonderful place and you guys were beyond welcoming. More importantly I want to take a moment to say i love you to Yosh and say that i know we'll have many many more years together. This is just the start!!!