Big Bear Lake

I went to Big Bear Lake with Ryan and his family June 10 through the 14. It was quite an amazing trip. I rode in the truck with Ryan, Rory, and CJ (Rory's girlfriend). His parents rode in the van with Rebekah, Noel (Rebekah's baby), Rachel, and Rheanna. It was a long ride through nothing, but we had somewhat of an interesting conversation. Yes, we talked about zombies and pretty much which type of zombie we'd want to face. You know... like in 28 Weeks Later, the Hills Have Eyes, Resident Evil, and other movies like that. I didn't participate in the conversation much because still don't know movies that well. However, I was the one that sparked the conversation. I bet they are secretly glad that I did that. We listened to music most of the way. I don't like most of Rory's mixed cd's, but the ones that we listened to on the trip were probably some of the worst mixed cd's he has made. Anyway, not too long before we got to Barstow, the van had pulled off to get gas. Rory turned off the walkie talkie, so we had no idea until they called Ryan. We continued on the road and got gas in Barstow. We also stopped at a Pizza Hut, where the van met up with us. That was definitely an unhealthy meal, I like pizza crust... and Hawiian Pizza is my favorite. After we ate we didn't have too much longer. We started heading uphill, getting into the mountains, and then we were there (approximately 45 miles later). When we got there we checked in and unpacked. We kind of looked at some of the things to do, and then Ryan, Rory, and I rode bikes around the town kind of exploring it. We saw a guy on a motorcycle, which I can't really describe... but it was wicked. Ryan wanted to go look at it, so we did. The guy told him where he got it and we rode our bikes there. Seriously, those motorcycles were crazy, awesome. I could definitely see Ryan getting one in the future, but I am sure that they are very expensive. By that time I put Ryan's sweatshirt on because it was getting cooler. I was wearing a tube top, which I don't suggest for any type of activity. It wasn't cold riding the bike, but just standing still was. We headed back and I helped Ryan prepare dinner and clean. We work as a team, which I really enjoy. After dinner we looked at what we could do while we were there. We found that we were one week early of everything being open during the week. I suppose part of it had to do with the fact that schools were still in session while we were there, but almost everything there is only open durings weekends. It was a little disappointing at first, but we weren't going to let that get in the way. After we looked for things to do and made some calls, it was time for the girls to go to our condo. We ended up watching, and making fun of, the movie Cellular. It ended around 1, and then we went to bed. The next morning we woke up and ate breakfast. We rented some bikes and Ryan and Rory went mountain biking, while the rest of us enjoyed a leisure ride. CJ didn't feel well, so she just stayed at the condo. After we got back we went swimming, and Noel had her first experience with swimming (also known as being held and kicking her legs). After we were done with that Ryan and I made dinner again. He does most of the work, but I do help... or at least I try. I really do enjoy helping him, I think it's only fair. He deserves my hand, and I will freely give it to him if he needs it... or even if he doesn't. After dinner we went to the girls condo and played Hear Me Out. It's not really a team game, but we did it that way. Ryan and I were on a team, Rheanna and their mom were on a team, Rachel and Rebekah were on a team, and Rory and CJ were on a team. Ryan and I ended up losing. He said that we sucked, and I told him that was mean. I guess it was true... but I enjoyed sucking with him because we had a fun time playing it. After the guys left we put in a Far Away Place. We watched most of it and then called it a night because everyone was tired. I don't think anyone slept too well that night. I know that I slept for about 3 hours and then I was awake for a few hours, and then I was in and out the rest of the night. I even got up at 4:22am and straightened my hair. Rebekah didn't sleep well either. In the morning we figured out what we were going to do. We decided to rent a pontoon boat. Rebekah stayed with Noel and her mom at the condos and the rest of us went on the boat. It was lots of fun. Ryan and I jumped into the cold water, climbed rocks, and jumped off. It was a lot of fun. If it wasn't so cold I would have done it more. After that we ate and just relaxed. We stopped at a floating porta potty and while Ryan and his dad were on it we left. We just ended up circling them a few times, Rory didn't really know how to control the boat. After that their dad attempted to fish for a little while, but with little luck. When we got back to the condos we loaded up in the vehicles and went off-roading. That was awesome. We went to were Ryan and Rory rode their bikes so they could ride down without spending 2 hours riding up. Oh man, it was so fun sitting in the back of the truck on the way up. On the way down I was standing, what an adventure... minus the bugs that kept on smacking my face and the bugs that I might have swallowed. Ryan, Rory, CJ and I went back to the condos while everyone else went to the village. Ryan and I started on dinner and everyone came back because the village was closed. They wouldn't let me clean up after dinner, so Ryan and I went down to the spa. We met some a nice couple there and talked to them for a little while before we headed back to the condos. We went to see if everyone was playing games, but they were just watching television. Ryan and I headed back to watch a show with his dad. I think it was the Band of Brothers. It was something like that, about WWII. The next morning we went to the village and walked around a little and ate food at a place called Stillwell's. Ryan got an Ahi Tuna sandwich, and I got a Parmesan Crusted Roast Beef Sandwich. We split our sandwiches in half so we could each have a taste. It was definitely a good idea. Both sandwiches were ridiculously good, and the sweet potatoe fries that we got were amazing. I only had two though because Ryan liked them and I got fruit. I think I would have rather of had the sweet potatoe fries though. After that we made the long drive home. It was definitely an amazing trip. It was Ryan's second favorite family trip, and I am so glad that I got to be a part of it. I definitely feel like a part of their family, and I am definitely thankful that I got to spend that time with them. I love being around them. Heck, I just love them.