Rim of The World - Bigbear

By Colleen Schmidt

Thursday morning we met at Sears parking lot at The Village at Orange . Don & Colleen Schmidt and Don and Sally Miller drove their Model A's, while Marion Wavra joined Vince and Joan Mariola (along with Sophia and Gina) in the Caddie, and Bruce and Joanie Harris in theirs. Don Miller led the way. Off he went and out of sight before we even got on the freeway, but he waited for us down the road and we finally caught up with him. We made our usual stop in Mentone for lunch at McDonalds and gassed up the cars.

We all stayed at Black Forest Lodge where Vince and Joan got their usual chateau and Marion and the Millers shared the other. Don and Colleen stayed in an adjoining room while Bruce and Joanie bedded in a cabin across the parking lot. First thing we did after unpacking was head to the store to stock up on some food for the weekend. Later Joanie and Bruce spent some time outdoors reading, clipping coupons and soaking up some sun until we fetched them to come and join the rest of the crew. Joanie came baring a variety of appetizers. Don Miller brought some homemade chili and buns. That, along with the appetizers, was our dinner for the evening. Couldn't ask for more.

Friday Joanie & Bruce had breakfast in their cabin and rest of us shared breakfast in Marion 's chateau, with Don Miller and Marion doing most of the cooking. We could have all just sat back and Don and Marion would have waited on us all weekend, but of course we couldn't let them do that, so we all tried to chip in and help out. But I'll tell you ladies, Don Miller is not just another pretty face, he's a good guy to have around the kitchen. Later that morning Vince and Colleen took Sophia and Gina for a casual walk to do their jobs and Don Miller did a bit more brisk walk up the hill and back.

We went down to register in the afternoon and ran into Doc & Darlene Ingwersen. We visited for a while and enjoyed some delicious cookies and refreshments made by the Whittier group. That evening we had popcorn and snacks at Vince and Joan's and ate dinner out.   

Saturday morning Don and Colleen participated in the gymkhana while Vince, Don M., Sally, Joanie and Bruce looked on. Afterwards Bruce and Joanie hit the garage sales and Colleen & Sally did some shopping.

About 1:30 we all joined the Whittier group along with several other clubs and bought our last minute raffle tickets. Lunch was bar-b-cue chicken or pork on buns, potato salad, coleslaw, backed beans, and cookies for dessert. There was plenty to eat and we all enjoyed it thoroughly. After lunch awards were presented. No trophies for OC this time. There were a lot of good raffle prizes and a 1/3rd-1/3rd-1/3rd cash drawing. We didn't come into any cash, but I think Darlene won something and Bruce came home with a Ford hat. But the big winners in our group were Joanie and Sally, each winning 3 or 4 items, including a hand crocheted afghan for Sally.

This may be the last year at Big Bear as the altitude was starting to affect several people.

The evening was spent sitting around the fireplace chatting. We tried to make a no politics or religion rule, but I'm afraid that didn't work out. We all shared appetizers and Colleen made some peach cobbler topped with ice cream. I was worried because the cobbler wasn't getting done, but Joanie reminded me it takes longer at the higher altitude. I know this sounds like all we did was sit around, talk, and eat, but isn't that what we usually do.

Sunday morning we leisurely got ready to head down the hill, stopping again in Mentone where the Schmidt's broke from the group to visit friends in nearby Yucaipa and the rest headed on home. All in all, it was a delightful weekend. No hard luck trophy this time.

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