Clare Bear in Big Bear

After meeting my new hosts Carol and Darrell Mulvihill and settling into their cosy moutain abode which sits 7,100ft above sea level, Carol took me for a quick visit to the Big Bear Discovery Centre. The centre is designed as an educational facility as well as a visitor and residential information portal to the San Bernardino National Forest. It opened in May of 1998 and is the result of a unique partnership between the US Forest Service and the non-profit San Bernardino National Forest Association.



Friday started with a surprise news bulletin on radio station KBHR 93.3 that welcomed the Australian GSE team to town and outlined our itinerary for the weekend. How special do we feel!!

After visiting the local bank (got to hold US$10,000 for just a minute), the library, hospital and city hall, the Mulvihills and their friends Ted and Paula Fashenpour took me out for dinner and sailing on Big Bear Lake. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking... and the air a little chilly... as the sun went down I applied another couple of layers of clothing.

We ended the night with a drink at the Mandalin Bar listening to the groovy sounds of The Catz in The Hatz, a jazz band which has actually managed to break into Australian radio airtime.