Sweet Sienna: Bluff Lake Hike Early One November Morning

Why Sweet Sienna? (An audio file)

As many of you know, my sweet Sienna passed away in February of this year. While she was alive, I was looking for a small cabin in the mountains for a weekend getaway and a special place that she and I could spend time together. Sienna was more familiar with the ocean than the mountains, but I know she would have loved everything about Big Bear. In fact, a big part of my search involved finding a place that would be safe and comfortable for Sienna. For example, I didn't want a place that had more than one floors (stairs.) Also, I wanted it to be filled with happy light. I also thought that one day, Sienna would have been interestsed in picking up golf. Afterall, she was a big girl and i think if she ever got the hang of it, she would have been really good.

Well, just before I found the perfect place, my sweet Sienna died. So after discussing it with mom and my sister, I thought it would be appropriate to name the cabin in her honor. So now it's called "Sweet Sienna."

While all of the photos and video involve me or other people, I always think of Sienna when I'm in the mountains, because I know she would have loved exploring beauty of the alpine environment.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Bluff Lake Hike Early One November Morning

There is a secret lake back in the forest above Bear Mountain that Mari and I discovered recently. The road to get there is long and twisty but covered with but beautiful scenery. Actually, it was a guy from the water company that turned us on to this place. Awesome tip! The lake is a small patch of blue mountain water that is surrounded by pine trees. Just off the path is a series of old cabins that were once the original stops for stage coaches coming up the mountain with supplies for the miners and mountain families. Anyway, Mari, Luis and I made a picnic breakfast and explored the beautiful oasis called Bluff Lake.