July 4th at Big Bear During COVID

 

It's been a while since I've written due to the current COVID quarantine. But we managed to go to Big Bear during the July 4th holiday weekend because we had booked our resort a year before, and it was the only vacation that the resort did not cancel under the quarantine. Advised by our doctor to simply avoid crowds, and tired of being cooped up for several months, we decided to go.

The July 4th weekend is typically the most crowded weekend at Big Bear. Vendors and visitor blogs all warned to be prepared for up to three times the usual amount of traffic. There is also an annual fun run that usually occurs on this weekend.

But shortly before we arrived in Big Bear, the COVID rules changed. In addition to the mask mandate, imposed in June, indoor venues were once again close. Only outdoor venues were allowed to stay open. Additionally, the annual fun run and fireworks were abruptly canceled.

Luckily, all our planned events were outdoor-only anyway. So we packed our masks and our food and headed to Big Bear.

WorldMark at Big Bear Lake, CA

Image provided by: Booking

We stayed at the WorldMark at Big Bear Lake. Check-in was outdoors. A masked associate came out with our paperwork, handed it to us from 6 feet away and gathered our signatures before pointing us to our room. The only time we were ever indoors for the rest of our trip was either in this room or in our car.

Our general plan to stay safe and avoid crowds was to wear our masks, hit all our venues upon opening in the morning, do what we needed to do, and leave before the crowds started forming. 

Also, we made sure to have cash on hand, because our venues were either cash only or gave discounts for cash payments.

Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain

Entrance to Alpine Slide Magic Mountain

On Friday, July 3rd, we went to Alpine Slide Magic Mountain. It opened at 10am. Initially expecting a crowded weekend, park operators had advised us to arrive at 9:30am - so we did, out of an abundance of caution. But COVID kept the crowds away, and people generally didn't start arriving until 9:45am.

After signing the required waivers, we went to the booth to get our bobsled tickets before that line started forming. Then we went to the Soaring Eagle booth for those tickets since the bobsleds weren't open yet.

Soaring Eagle

$12 per person per ride, 42" min height

We were the first people on the Soaring Eagle ride. The Soaring Eagle is like a motorized zip line. The operator strapped me and my daughter into a 2-seater chair - no bars across the lap, only one seatbelt each to hold us in. The Eagle launched us backward and up, before catapulting us forward. Great fun - as long as you're not afraid of heights!

Alpine Slide

$7 single ride, $30 for 5-ride book, 36" min height

After the Soaring Eagle, we made our way to the Alpine Slide. At the chair lift, signs required us to sanitize our hands at the hand sanitizer station each time we boarded the lift. We followed instructions and took the chair lift to the top of the hill.

Me and my husband up the chairlift at Alpine Slide

On our way up we could see the track for the new Mineshaft Coaster, which wasn't completed yet while we there. We look forward to riding this coaster on our next visit!

The chairlift, the bobsled track, and the beginnings of the Mineshaft Coaster

At the top, we collected our bobsleds, which have a handle for controlling the speed. Pressing down the handle makes the sled accelerate, loosening the pressure will make it slow down, and lifting it all the way up will make it stop.

There are two tracks, one for fast riders and one for slow. There is no physical difference between the two tracks. The difference is so that riders can stay a safe riding distance apart while going at their preferred speeds so that everyone has a good time. Therefore, it is a good idea to take the proper track for your speed.

Bobsledding down the Alpine Slide

We boarded our chosen tracks, the ride operator had us test our brakes; and, as soon as there was enough distance between us and the previous rider on the track, he signaled us and we were off!

The slide twisted and turned all the way down the hill, and we could go at whatever speed we liked. When we first took our daughter at 7 years old, she was very apprehensive. But once she knew she could control the speed and have fun, she was hooked! We have been going every year for the last three years now. It's an annual trip!

We bought 5-ride books. On our 4th trip, more people arrived -- not all wearing masks. I honestly didn't notice if the California mask mandate was enforced. We preferred to focus on having fun.

After sledding, we decided to have lunch in our car since we brought our own food, and outside food and drinks were not allowed.

Miniature Golf

$7 for 18 holes

After lunch, we played miniature golf. By now the park was in full swing. Most of the holes on the golf course were occupied, but there was still plenty of space between golfers. Whenever we were within 6 feet of someone, we put our masks on; otherwise, we took them off.

It's a very cute, very mini miniature golf course: no elaborate sets, just a few putting challenges, including one hole that was split into 2 levels.

Other attractions

The park also includes go-karts and a waterslide, which were both open that weekend, but we decided to skip them. I highly recommend this park. We enjoy it every year.

Big Bear Ropes Course

$12 per person for 20 minutes, 42" min height

On Saturday, July 4th, we decided to try one of Big Bear's newest attractions, the Ropes Course at Big Bear Snowplay. We arrived as soon as it opened and were the first ones in line.

Big Bear Ropes Course

The ride operators strapped us to a harness that was tethered to the course, and started our 20-minute timer. The tether went with us everywhere we went - which was good for me, because I often held on to that tether for dear life!

Getting strapped and tethered to the Ropes Course

I followed my brave, 10-year old daughter, who, after a while, clearly didn't need me. I did not anticipate how scared I would feel. My experience was an exercise in staying calm, which is the only way I could get through the course. 

My daughter and I on the ropes!

Only a few of the obstacles had something to hold on to. Most of them had nothing except that tether! The zipline is a prime example, and the most popular obstacle on the course. All we did was walk off a platform and we were suspended 35 feet in the air by nothing but our harness, sliding to the other side. 

Yes, that's my daughter just hanging around...

After about 15 minutes around the course, the zipline was the only obstacle my daughter wanted to ride.

Me? I stopped at a pole, hung on for dear life, and watched my daughter play until my timer went off. I was done.

I think next time I will challenge myself to do more of the course. If I practice pushing through my fear, I can have more fun. My daughter had a blast. This course is now another annual tradition at Big Bear.

My daughter at the top of the Ropes Course

Baldwin Lake Stables

$55/person/hr CC, $50/person/hr Cash + tip

Wheels in the parking lot of Baldwin Lake Stables

After the Ropes Course, we went horseback riding at Baldwin Lake Stables. As required, we arrived 30 minutes early for our appointed hour to sign paperwork and get a helmet for our daughter (required for kids, optional for adults). Then the guides saddled each member of the riding group onto their assigned horses. There might have been about 10 riders total in our group with 4 guides.

Entrance to the stables

It helped to pay attention to the guides' tips about steering, slowing, stopping, and starting the horse. On the trail there were some dips, hills, low hanging branches (might want to wear that helmet!), and distractions causing the horse to graze, follow too close, stop, etc. At a leisurely walking pace, the horses also kicked up a lot of dust, so the masks came in handy, even though they weren't required once we hit the trail.

The guides do not allow purses or personal packs on the ride, but they will provide a special saddle bag for your camera phone and water. So be sure to take these items along because the total round trip is an hour long, the trail is dusty, and the guides take individual and family photos at a picturesque spot.

The guides work primarily for tips, so please tip your guide. Our friendly guide told us they all split the tips amongst themselves at the end of the day.

Surprise Flyover

In the afternoon on July 4th, while lounging in our resort, my husband heard loud airplane engine noises in the sky and darted outside to see that it was a WWII airplane flyover: a C-47 "Willa Dean" and 2 Marchetti SF-260s. I just managed to catch a glimpse with my camera phone!

Despite COVID our vacation was fun because we were prepared. We brought all our own food, we hit our outdoor venues as soon as they opened (unless they were by appointment), we wore our masks and did not spend more time outside our resort than necessary. It was a very relaxing, much needed, well-deserved vacation celebrating Independence Day.