A Weekend in Big Bear

Last weekend was the Manx Dune Buggy Club annual Big Bear get-together. This is the biggest event of the year and happens in the mountains just up the road from us. We relished the opportunity to get out of the valley heat. A few hours into the setup task the sky clouded over and the heavens emitted lightning, thunder, downpour, and hail. We hunkered down in the RV and watched (and felt) the display. As soon as it was over I grabbed the camera, which works intermittently, and put a few of the bigger hailstones on the step for a picture. They were melting fast. I'm glad we didn't get caught out in the open. Those hail marbles would hurt. I was reminded of talking to grandson JJ when a thunderstorm went over their house in Texas. He didn't like them. I told him they reminded me of the power of God. He seemed to be thinking about that.



Over seventy buggies and their owners attend the buggy event. Saturday morning was Show n Shine, a car show for buggies. The line of buggies stretches around the corner.


We had thunderstorms and occasional hail every afternoon, and got caught out while driving the buggy more than once. One day we got drenched to the skin. That made for a cold drive back to the RV. A hot shower at the RV never felt so good. At first people laughed when we decided to take a golf umbrella. Then they got caught in the deluge.

When we returned to camp those staying in tents found the downpour had washed under the tent and soaked their gear. Another party left the vent over the bed in their camper open which drenched their mattress. We had room on the RV so invited two couples to sleep in the extra bunks. Only one accepted. He was originally from France which turned out to be a providential visit because our daughter Elisabeth is hosting a foreign exchange student from his area of origin. It's a small world.

In spite of nature's display (or was it because of) we had a great time. The rains kept the dust down but weren't of enough duration to make the roads muddy. And the temperatures were fabulous, mostly in the 70's. When we drove down and pulled in the yard Sunday afternoon I opened the truck door and .... 100°. I wanted to turn around and go back up the mountain.