Big Bear Lake, CA, July 2, 2014 - With year round recreation, the San Bernardino National Forest is one of the busiest in the country. But with more visitors comes extra litter, and the Forest Service is asking for public cooperation in keeping the area garbage-free. Some environmental effects are obvious. Plastics take decades to disintegrate and aluminum cans last in the … [Read more...] about Critters vs. Litter
San Bernardino National Forest
Mistletoe: Parasite & Provider
San Bernardino Mountains, CA, June 7, 2014 - According to an old Scandinavian Christmas custom, a couple who meets under hanging mistletoe is obliged to kiss. But mistletoe's function in the forest is actually less romantic: as a parasite, it attaches to the branches of a host tree or shrub, and absorbs water and nutrients from the host plant. There are six different species … [Read more...] about Mistletoe: Parasite & Provider
Fire Danger, More Typical of Late Summer
Big Bear, CA, June 6, 2014 - Since November 1, 2013, many areas in California have received less than half their normal precipitation, resulting in very dry brush. As of Memorial Day weekend, there have been more than 1,700 wildfires in California since the start of the year, which have burned more than 15,000 acres. Compared to the five year average, that is nearly double the … [Read more...] about Fire Danger, More Typical of Late Summer
Santa’s Village: First in the Country
San Bernardino Mountains, CA, May 17, 2014 - When Santa's Village opened it's doors in 1955 in Skyforest, it was the first franchised theme park in the country, beating Disneyland's opening by more than a month. It was the first of three Santa's Villages built by developer Glenn Holland. In it's heyday, it was one of Southern California's biggest tourist attractions drawing … [Read more...] about Santa’s Village: First in the Country
The Legend of Castle Rock
Big Bear Lake, CA, May 3, 2014 - Rising out of the mountains at the southwest end of the lake, standing like a sentinel keeping watch over Big Bear, is Castle Rock. There is a Serrano Indian legend that surrounds Castle Rock from a time long ago when Big Bear was known as Yuhaviat, which means 'pine place'. The legend tells of a beautiful young girl named Wyhnemah who once … [Read more...] about The Legend of Castle Rock