The Snow’s so Deep
Every year, my little family packs up and heads to the San Bernandino mountains. It’s pretty awesome, because it’s only 2 hours away from LA – yet it’s beautiful pine trees and snow 3 feet deep and couldn’t seem less like Southern California if it tried. Because money is tight (do rich people ever say that money is loose?) we normally just stay for one night at a very nice lodge in a little town called Lake Arrowhead.
But somehow we manage to make that two day one night vacation seem much longer. It’s pretty magical, to be honest. We have our little traditions.
For instance, we always stop off at the first sign of snow. Because when you’re driving up a mountain, there will be no snow at all, and then boom, there’s snow. It’s pretty cool.
And the kids will always get caramel apples at the chocolate store. Delicious, amazing caramel apples that make me wish I weren’t allergic to apples.
And we’ll each get a bag of duck snacks for 50 cents a piece and feed the flock of ducks. Lake Arrowhead has a really fun assortment of ducks. Brown headed mallards, and these cool black ducks with white heads and then also the elusive “puffin duck,” at least that’s what we call it because it looks like a puffin and mostly swims underwater.
And of course, the main event – we go sledding! Now you probably cannot tell from these pictures, but this snow is deep. Really deep. In fact, if normal east coast where I’m from snowfall could be compared to wading through a creek, wrestling with the snow on this mountain is more like trying to survive a rough ocean surf. It’s exhausting to be walking on the surface and then take a step and woosh you’re in the snow up to your hips. And then you have to climb your way out only to take 3 more steps and boom down you fall again.
(And yes, by the way, the kids can sled with just their snowpantsed bottoms, the snow is so slick and the inclines so steep. So can I, for that matter, but… well)
…A tradition I’d care to avoid but can’t seem to help but make regular is wearing only blue jeans during these adventures. Blue jeans that are soaked as if I swam in them when we’re done.
Because it is an adventure. My children like to avoid other people at all costs when we do family events. They don’t want to see or hear anyone else while we find the perfect sledding hill. This normally results in an expedition into the incredible steep and rough (and deep snowed!) wilderness. And maybe it includes me trying to leap from snow covered boulder to snow covered boulder like I’m Bear Grylles in a vain attempt to make it across a pretty wide creek. And maybe that ill-fated plan ends with me in that creek, unable to climb out because of that deep snow. And maybe all that ends with me changing on the side of the road, hoping no one catches a glimpse. Maybe.
But it’s all worth it. Like I said, totally magical, unlike any other place we’ve been in our lives, and just a really fun experience. So, for what is really the shortest vacation possible, it remains on the top of the Latshaw List of Things to Do.
I love this post because it is funny how each family makes memories. Sometimes those memories are made because one of your kids need to use the bathroom and you find the perfect little store in the middle of nowhere and from then on every year it is a must to stop. I love little traditions like that…they feel like tiny sweet secrets.
Jase, I have to say that you comparing yourself to Bear Grylles will make me laugh all day.
Your kids are cute and I’m glad that make the effort to spend time with them and take little vacations and make memories. You’re a good dad.
I love the look on Lyric’s face as she zooms down the hill.
Oh, and rich people say that “money is lose,” because they are too rich to worry about spelling.
I love these pics! That last one of Lyric is so pretty…And what a fun time. PJ is right: you’re a great dad! and I’d also like to add that Darby is a great momma! And a hot momma too! And I can say that because I am her sister (in law)
This is wonderful! Love it, and the pictures are great. Life really is about these moments, the moments of celebrating one another and the world at large- in this micro-cosmic sort of way. Yay!
Great pics!
This looks like so much fun.
i agree..you guys are great parents and a beautiful family..we are lucky to know you guys..im so glad that you guys are in a sunny place and also not too far from the snow..
Jason – this makes me so jealous. I want to be happy for you, but honeslty, the first emotion that hits me is jealousy! That looks so cool. Did you guys take any ropes to repel down those steep hills?
Christian, you should be jealous, because it’s awesome. I mean, I’m jealous just looking at the pictures because I want to be there again… and I was the one who was there!
You have to come out sometime and we’ll be sure to bring ropes, because they would be perfect for repelling – and pulling us out of the deep snow.
Rappel
Rappel.
I love this post! It looks like so much fun. I love the last picture because Ollie is just lying down in the snow in the background!
Only you, Jason, would attempt to jump from snow covered boulder to snow covered boulder! haha Keep living the good life!
haha! Linds, Ollie is standing up…the picture is tilted!!
Yeah, I didn’t want to kill the obvious joy Linds had, so I didn’t want to mention it.
She needed to know the truth. It would be really funny if Ollie was just laying in the snow.