Big bear!

Miles: 3.5 miles + 0.25 side trail
Start time: 7:50am
End time: 9:15pm
High / Avg / Low temp: 53.5F / 50.6F / 47.8F
Relative Humidity Avg: 33.3%
Injuries: none to report

Our interlopers last night were pretty noisy until about 8pm, which was rough on us since we crashed early and they arrived late, such are the problems of camping at popular trail magic spots, we decided to endeavor to not stay at places that could be crashed by large groups if we can help it, we regretted not walking the extra 2 miles to a smaller clearing, no matter, they were loud in the morning to, we got up and moved out as soon as we could, not even eating beforehand, just to get away, it didn't help that they were fast hikers and overtook us after a bit, one had the.. feigned courtesy to say, hope we weren't too loud.. Which they clearly were aware they were, jokes on them though, we have a hot tub tonight

We walked on and in no time at all made it to our side trail and after much fuss arranged an uber to collect us and drive us to big bear lake (my first time using the app didn't go smoothly). 

It was a lovely drive, our chauffeur informed us that a few lakes nearby have dried up due to lack of rain and snow, and this winter they got 9 inches of snow all season, compared to regular years where it'd be 120 or more inches, it's been a dry 5 or so years apparently.  When you see the fire damage, and how dry all the brush and dead wood is, it's not hard to understand why California is on fire all the time.

We got into town around 10:30am, and loitered at the cottage office until they had a room ready for us, which was about 5hrs.  We decided we were hungry, so hungry in fact that we'd eat.. McDonald's.. Oh the shame, our body's hated us for it, nearly as much as we hated ourselves, but we didn't eat breakfast and needed to cram something resembling food into our face holes

We also visited the 7-11 across the road and picked up a few things, including a few beers, and went to enjoy the porch for a few hours. Was nice to just sit, with a cold drink, and have no where we needed to go or rush to before dehydration or starvation takes us. 

We did see a guy we saw back before cabazon, he'd pushed on too hard after he left us and has spent 4 days nursing shinsplints, essentially spoiling any gains he made, I guess this pace of ours isn't all that bad, we've had no serious injuries to date

While sitting we saw a flock band-tailed pigeon, which was very neat to be able to identify (with the help of innernet)

Currently we are bathed, enjoying a comfy cottage with a hot tub in the room

Life is hard..