Time Away + Mountain Air
Two days after coming back from Europe, I decided to go away with a few coworkers/friends to Big Bear, CA. We thought it would be a chance to get to know each other better outside of work and it would be a good way to unwind.
It wasn't a bad drive there at all - just a little over three hours. I rode up with my friend Nicole, and the others met us there. I'd never been, but was looking forward to the mountain getaway.
We rented an air bnb, which looked like a log cabin, tucked away in the forresty hills. We unpacked and got settled in, then drove down to Main Street to have lunch. We found a cute little spot with a patio that had a little bit of everything, but was a step up from diner food. I caught them up on my trip to Europe, we listened to music (a local artist was playing) and got rid of the hangry feelings.
We walked through town for a bit, grabbed coffee at the coffee shop across the street and then went back to the cabin to hang out - admiring the views, playing games, watching movies and spending time together. We also took a lot of artsy pictures, because we're girls and we love Instagram.
We decided to just order pizza and have it delivered because we were so comfortable in the cabin. Jet lag also hit me real hard that night. We turned in by midnight, which was really nice.
Saturday
The next morning I was the first one up, so I walked to the living room and wrote for a bit and took in the quiet and stillness. I went outside for a few minutes to watch the sun as it bounced across the mountains and forest of trees. It smelled like pine trees and instantly gave me peace. It reminded me to slow down and be okay with the quiet. I'd been on the go for the last few weeks, and it was nice to just be, without a plan and a place to go. REST.
We got a later start, then went up into the mountains to take the chair lift up to a higher elevation. What I'd imagine is usually covered in snow was green for miles around. It was quite a trip going up the steep mountain, trying not to look too far down for fear of leaning too far. But, what a sight to see. I wish pictures and video did it justice, but the colors were unreal. Blues from the lake and the sky and green from the hills all around.
A couple members of our group decided to go on a short walk/photo shoot, and the rest of us decided to have lunch, since we hadn't eaten yet. We were there for a couple hours, then came back down the hill.
We drove out near the lake and took a walk in the great outdoors. We took pictures, we explored, we grabbed ice cream downtown and came back to the cabin. I dipped my toes in the jacuzzi, while the others got in. We talked and joked around, enjoyed the sun. Then I decided to go in and cool off, shower and change. That night, we ate out one of the nicer restaurants - one of the bistro type places. It was very tasty and filling.
Then, we went back to the cabin to chill for the rest of the night. We sat on the deck outside and made s'mores, had some girl talk and then went inside to watch funny, ridiculous videos on YouTube. It was one of the best evenings.
The next morning, a couple members of our posse were going to head home earlier and I decided to, as well, to tend to some family business. We got up and around pretty early, packed up the car and hit the road by 8. We stopped at a local coffee shop (because DUH) and back home we went.
What I love most about road trips and getting away, is the company. We were able to get to know each other as people outside of work. You can have some deeper heart to hearts or laugh about silly things that you don't always have time for in passing or at events. It was the perfect way to recoup and I 100% recommend a mountain getaway for your summer plans.
Grab a few friends, grab some snacks and dvds, find the perfect spot away from it all and enjoy your time away.
That's all for now,
Shelby