Johnson Family Reunion

We've decided it's time the Johnson Family starts having reunions. And what better place to congregate than Crestline, CA? Where's that, you say? You may be more familiar with Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear...they're all in the San Bernardino mountains. Erik grew up there and had been talking for a while about his fond memories of the 4th of July festivities. We decided it was something our kids just had to experience...and it was a great way to get out of Las Vegas at this HOT time of year. We rented a house in Crestline, with Erik's brother Tanner, his wife Sarah, and their dad. Unfortunately Broek was not able to make it, and she was sorely missed. But this was our first attempt at a family reunion, so that's a mishap we don't plan on repeating. We arrived Tuesday night and had dinner at a pizza place where Erik worked as a teenager. Then we hung out at the house. It had a game room sort of separate from the house. The game room had an XBOX 360, games, and a pool table that converted into an air hockey table, and a ping pong table. If we weren't out doing stuff, the kids were in this room playing. Wednesday morning we hiked to Heart Rock. You can imagine why it has it's name. It was a great hike.

After the hike, we stopped at the house that these their family lived in for years. It was cool to show the kids where their dad had grown up! And that he grew up with a pretty nice view!

 

Then we headed up to Lake Arrowhead. Crestline was not celebrating the 4th until Saturday, but Arrowhead was having some things on the 4th. I didn't take any pictures, but we went to a "dramatic reading of The Declaration of Independence and other historical documents." It could have been done much better, BUT it has kind of been this dream of mine to attend something like that on the 4th of July. Especially since the Little House on the Prairie series talks about it. I want my kids to know and remember what the 4th of July is about. Back to the house for some BBQ.

 Thursday we spent at Lake Gregory, where Erik's family used to spend their summers. The kids had a great time swimming, the babies had a great time eating sand, and we all enjoyed the sun and beautiful mountains. 

 Friday we drove up to Big Bear for some Alpine Slides. This was a first for the kids and I. It was a ton of fun.

On the way up we stopped at a couple of historical sites. We knew that Crestline / San Bernardino was a place Mormons had come through and helped settle, but we underestimated their influence and impact. Fascinating.

 

Friday night we ate dinner at The A. It's a little burger shack that this Romanian woman has owned for...ever. Erik went to school with her son. It was the place to go for a greasy burger or a rootbeer freeze. So we went. It was funny because we've tried to go before in years past, and she always happens to close right when we get there - no matter what time of day it is. So I called ahead of time to make sure she would be open. I called at 4pm and asked what time they closed. She responded "I can't know. If busy, I stay. If slow, I close go home." haha Oh, I know, lady! Then I called a little later and said, "Will you be open if we come in 15 minutes!?" She was, we ate, it was good. 

 Saturday was Crestline's "Jamboree Days." There was the parade in the morning. Then people had set up shops along the road, so we walked and looked and had some homemade lemonade. We also got a free sample of Italian Ice. Then we had the kids take a nap so they'd be good to go come fireworks time. We drove a few blocks down (not that the twisted, tight, narrow roads in the mountains of Crestline have blocks...but that's just an estimate of the distance) from the house, parked, and then stood with a good group of people to watch the fireworks over the lake. It was a great show - I was especially impressed with the end. Best finale I have ever seen.

Sunday we went to church, packed up and headed home. It was such a good trip, we loved it! We can't wait for next year! Woohoo!