Page 15 - August2020-NBY News

Safe Travels - Rediscover Big Bear Lake

USING ECOLAB INFECTION children, ping-pong and arcade areas are
CONTROLS closed. Outdoor covered hot tubs,
BY JILL WEINLEIN horseshoe pit and tennis and basketball
courts are also closed due to CDC
Summer is one of the best seasons to requirements.
drive up to the alpine mountain town Within walking distance is Big Bear
Big Bear. With the pandemic keeping Lake, shopping and the Stanfield Marsh
many at home, the drive from Los nature trail. The 1.6 mile out and back
Angeles is less than two hours. trail runs parallel to Big Bear Blvd., and
Instead of staying at a hotel and eating features an array of wildlife and birds
in restaurants, we discovered the living next to a lake. The trail is easy to
WorldMark Resort, located two blocks walk along a wooden boardwalk.
from Big Bear Lake. You don’t have to One day we cooled off on the lake at
be a timeshare member to reserve a Captain John’s Marina in Fawn Harbor
unit, and it’s an ideal “Covid-cation”, as kayaking, and paddle boarding. John, the
each unit has a full kitchen, laundry, owner, sets up a fun day on the lake for
outdoor patio or balcony with a visitors. He also has boats and canoes
barbecue grill. Units have forest views available to rent. On the lake beach is a
and some have a peek of the lake. food stand and John offers live music on
Despite potential quarantines and the weekends. There is plenty of parking,
visitor restrictions at many vacation a hammock for napping, a boat dock and
destinations, the WorldMark Resort has launch ramp, and plenty of areas to set up
prepared for local “staycation” getaways your chairs at the lake’s edge.
since May 26, 2020. They have a cleaning We also took a SkyLine View lift ride to
and sanitizing protocol developed by the top of Snow Summit to enjoy lunch at
ECOLAB, a global leader in water, the top of the hill. When you get off the
hygiene and infection prevention. lift, you will find the staff cooking up
Last month we packed the car with burgers, sausages and vegan options
food and drove up to 7,000 feet above served with coleslaw or potato salad.
sea level to escape the heat and breathe Beverages include soda, seltzers, ciders
clear mountain air. Our spacious two and beer.
bedroom condo-style unit comfortably Before leaving the following day, we
sleeps four to six guests. Since the resort walked along the 5.4 Alpine Pedal Path in
has no elevators, we accessed our unit the north shore area. The paved path
by walking up the 13-step staircase to begins across the street from Stanfield
the second floor. Marsh Cutoff near the lake on a paved
path towards the Big Bear Solar
We had a private bedroom with one Observatory. It is easily accessible for
king bed and ensuite bathroom. Two walkers, skaters, joggers, strollers and
bedroom units also have a queen or two wheelchairs.
twin beds in the second bedroom, and a With 23 miles of lake-shoreline among
queen Murphy bed to pull down in the majestic trees in the San Bernardino
living area. National Forest, Big Bear Lake is so close,
Traveling with our two daughters, we yet you feel like you are so far away.
all appreciated the privacy of separate
bedrooms. Since we brought our own
food and beverages, we found the fully
equipped kitchen convenient for meals.
Noticing a barbecue grill on the private
balcony, we made one trip to the
grocery store two blocks away to
purchase salmon and corn on the cob to
grill while watching the sun set.
This resort does not have air
conditioning, however the family room
and bedrooms have overhead fans. At
sunset we opened the windows to allow
the cool mountain air inside to sleep
comfortably. Daily housekeeping is not
included and may be added for an
additional fee.
Centered near the sparkling waters of IT IS NICE TO KNOW
Big Bear Lake, there are plenty of fresh THERE ARE A FEW PLACES
air activities among blue skies, sunshine
and crisp mountain air. Some of the on- WE CAN GO AND STAY SAFE.
site activities at the resort are open such ALWAYS USE FACE COVERS
as the large outdoor swimming pool AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.
however others are closed due to CDC
requirements. The play areas for

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