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Archive for October, 2013

‘Things to Do’ Thursday: This Week’s Weather & Events (10/31/13)

Posted in Big Bear Activities, Big Bear Information, Big Bear Lake, Things To Do Thursday, tagged , , , , , on October 31, 2013| Leave a Comment »

pumpkindadHappy Halloween!! Fall is winding down and winter activities are starting up here in Big Bear Lake. Pleasant daytime temps are hanging around for the weekend with a chance of a dusting of snow once again next week.

The Big Bear Lake Village celebrated its Grand Re-Opening today. Come and take a look at what’s new!  This Weekend you can also take a Haunted Boat Ride on the lake, get frightened at the “Panic at the Park” Haunted snow tubing 1House, or just listen to some great live music at one of Big Bear’s many venues.

Big Bear Snow Play has opened for the season so come on up and do some tubing!

RS Vacations has some really great deals on homes right now. Visit our website today and book your perfect Big Bear Vacation Cabin. We still have homes available for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years, but they are going FAST! Book today and enjoy a magical Holiday in beautiful Big Bear Lake!

10-31-13Weather courtesy of BensWeather.com

what's up 11-2-13Events courtesy of BigBear.com

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Monday Musings: Don’t Forget to Say “I Love You”

Posted in Monday Musings, tagged , , on October 28, 2013| 2 Comments »

The past several weeks have been rough ones – for myself and many people I know and love. Friends lost, mothers lost, a wife lost and a daughter lost. There was suicide, accidents, heart attack, massive infection and cancer. Death has a way of rearing its head when we least expect it and we are left with nothing but memories and often times, regrets. We rarely know when it is coming and can we ever be truly prepared even if we do?

The best we can do is to ‘live like we are dying’ – be grateful for each day and try to live life to the fullest. Let go of fear and take some risks. Do something that truly makes you happy as often as possible. Take time to be silly. Give hugs. Say I love you.

But even more important, treat others as if it is their last day as well – make sure those you love KNOW you love them – by telling them and showing them every day. Be kind. Forgive. Do nice things simply to be nice. Strive to make those around you happier. Accept and love who they are. Don’t let ‘little things’ become ‘big things’.

People say “there is always tomorrow”, but that is not always true…

Appreciate every single day.

Sunrise - Danny Enger

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Spotlight Sunday: A Piece of Heaven

Posted in Big Bear Lake, RS Vacation Rentals, Spotlight Sunday, tagged , , , , , , on October 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

A Piece of Heaven

 

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Family Fun with Spa and Fenced in Backyard – Close to Bear Mountain

Recently painted, A Piece of Heaven is a charming home in lower Moonridge that offers wood beam ceilings, wood flooring, and wood accents throughout. Here you are close to the action on the slopes and golf course and less than a mile away from shopping. There are even a few restaurants walking distance away. A shuttle stop for the slopes is close by so you can leave the car parked!

Enter through the gate and walk up the few steps to the large front deck and lovely front door. The comfy living room has seating around a warm brick fireplace with a new flat screen TV and WiFi. Play your favorite game at the game table which overlooks the front yard or challenge your friends to a game of Foosball on the built in Foosball coffee table. The spacious, fully appointed kitchen with dishwasher, has bay window dining and oak flooring. A full bath downstairs and stackable front load washer and dryer are very convenient.

The three bedrooms are upstairs. To the left you will find the alcoved master with its comfy king size bed and full bath that opens to the master or the hall for guest use. There is a TV in this bedroom. Guest bedroom one has a queen bed and window seat and spacious guest bedroom two has twin bunk beds and a queen size futon.

The back door opens to a wonderful, roomy private deck with a large 6 person spa. Take a few steps down to the large fenced in back yard; perfect for the kids to have winter or summer fun in. A charcoal BBQ is provided for your use. The spacious front deck is also a perfect place to enjoy the Big Bear mountain air.

You will agree that this is your Big Bear home away from home at A Piece of Heaven. Come on up to paradise!

NO PETS. 3 Car Parking
NO SMOKING PER BIG BEAR CODE COMPLIANCE ON ALL RENTAL PROPERTIES

Amenities

 

 

  • Sleeps: 7
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 2

Close to Bear Mountain
Large Spa
Fenced Backyard
Wood Floors and fully Appointed Kitchen with Bay Window in Dining Area
Flat Screen in Living Room, WiFi, TV in 2 Bedrooms
King, Queen, Twin Bunk Beds, Queen Size Futon
Wood Beam Ceilings and Wood Burning Fireplace
Guest Bedrooms with Window Seats
Stackable Front Load Washer and Dryer
Charcoal BBQ
Linens Included

View more photos, check availability and book A Piece of Heaven online at RSVacations.net today and treat yourself to a relaxing Big Bear Lake Vacation.

To view, download and/or print a .pdf flyer of A Piece of Heaven, please click the following link: A Piece of Heaven Printable Flyer

 

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‘Things to Do’ Thursday: This Week’s Weather & Events (10/24/13)

Posted in Big Bear Activities, Big Bear Information, Things To Do Thursday, tagged , , , , , on October 24, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Beautiful warm fall days and crisp nights will continue throughout the weekend here in Big Bear Lake. We may see a taste of winter once again early next week – another reminder that ski season is on its way!

Oktoberfest comes to a close this weekend, wrapping up with its annual Halloween costume contest on Saturday. Kids in costume get in FREE! Several Halloween events begin as well throughout the valley – see below for more details.

Time is running out to take advantage of our fall specials at RS Vacations. Visit our website today and book a quick Big Bear Getaway before the snow flies!

 

10-24-13Weather courtesy BensWeather.com

 

What's up 10-24-13

Events courtesy of BigBear.com

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Spotlight Sunday: Natoma

Posted in Big Bear Lake, RS Vacation Rentals, Spotlight Sunday, tagged , , , on October 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Natoma

 

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Relaxing Big Bear Retreat – Walk to Snow Summit

Walk to Snow Summit from Natoma, ski, hike or bike on the nearby trails, or just kick back around the fireplace or out on the deck and enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains.

The light and open air feeling of Natoma welcomes you as you enter the living room with vaulted ceiling and wood burning fireplace. Cable TV is provided for you and the adjacent efficient kitchen contains refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, coffee pot and toaster. Double sliders open from the living room to the spacious deck beyond with wooden swing, picnic table and charcoal grill.The main floor also has two bedrooms, each with a double bed. A renovated bathroom with a tub/shower combo is convenient to the two bedrooms.The second floor has a large loft for the gang with one double bed, and two twin bunk beds. A bath with shower is on this level for your convenience. A cutout window opens up to bring the outdoors in as you look down on the living room and deck beyond. This room also has a private balcony.Come on up and enjoy all the Snow Summit area has to offer at Natoma!

NO SMOKING
NO PETS

Amenities

  • Sleeps: 10
  • Bedrooms: 3
  • Bathrooms: 2

Walk to Snow Summit
Across from Wooded Area
3 Double Beds
2 Twin Bunk Bed
2 Full Baths
Double Sliders to Spacious Deck
Wood Burning Stove
Vaulted Ceiling
Cable TV
Charcoal BBQ

View more photos, check availability and book Natoma online at RSVacations.net today and treat yourself to a relaxing Big Bear Lake Vacation.

To view, download and/or print a .pdf flyer of Natoma, please click the following link: Natoma Printable Flyer

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‘Things to Do’ Thursday: This Week’s Weather & Events (10/17/13)

Posted in Big Bear Activities, Big Bear Information, Big Bear Lake, Things To Do Thursday, tagged , , , , , , , on October 17, 2013| Leave a Comment »

After a brief encounter with winter last week, we are back to the usual absolutely perfect fall weather in Big Bear Lake! The leaves are still in color and the chilly nights are perfect for snuggling in front of the fireplace, while the pleasant days are perfect for hiking, biking or just exploring our beautiful valley. There are some special events going on as well, with more details below.

We still have some really great deals going on here at RS Vacations, including “Stay for 3, pay for 2” and “25% of the 2nd night of a 2 night stay”. More details can be found at our website,www.RSVacations.net. Book a Big Bear Cabin today and enjoy a last-minute getaway in paradise!

We also have a special deal on selected homes for the Thanksgiving Holiday: The 4th night is FREE!

 

10-17-13Weather courtesy of BensWeather.com

big-bear-bar-maids

Join us this weekend for the Big Bear Oktoberfest – including Oktoberfest “Unplugged” on the 18th. There are only 2 weekends left and the fun, food and beer is gone for another year!!

 

 

Wolf-300x225Come and celebrate Wolf Awareness Day at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo on October 19, from 11 am to 3 pm.

There will be educational and fun things to do at the zoo. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo joins other zoos and animal sanctuaries around the country in celebrating Wolf Awareness Week.   They will dispel the many misconceptions and myths about wolves. The event educates the public on the important role that wolves play within the ecosystem. There will also be a rendition of Little Red Riding Hood, where we will learn that the wolf is not so bad after all.

Practice your howling skills and see if your howl is good enough to get the wolves to howl back. The zoo currently has 12 gray wolves to howl with.

 

panic in parkBack by popular demand PANIC IN THE PARK III Haunted House at Meadow Park Gym.

Takes place Friday & Saturday nights Oct 18-19, 25-26 and 31st.

Times: 6pm – 9pm except Halloween night 7pm – 9pm

Tickets: $10 per person

On Fri nights 5-6pm $5 the Not-So-Scary version for the younger kids.

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Fun-Fact Friday: Oktoberfest Then and Now

Posted in Big Bear Activities, Big Bear Lake, Fun Fact Friday, tagged , on October 11, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Way back in the year 1810, in Southern Germany, Bavaria, in the middle of the autumn harvest, Prince Ludwig  was wed to Princess Therese of Sachsen-Hildurghausen. The ceremony was a grand event held in a magnificent “weise” (meadow) just outside the gates of Munich and took place on the 12th of October. 40,000 people attended the wedding and the reception was quite the party with huge amounts of food and beer being served. At the conclusion of this magnificent party, the prince held an impromptu horse race across the great meadow, to the delight of his guests. The townspeople were so delighted in fact, that they decided to rename the venue Theresiewiese (Therese Meadow) in honor of the Prince’s new bride.

On the one year anniversary of this memorable day, it was decided that another grand party would be thrown to celebrate. King Maximillian agreed, but this party was to be even bigger, better and longer than the first. This became an annual tradition that we now know as Oktoberfest.

One hundred and sixty-one years later, in the small town of Big Bear Lake, California,  two German immigrants, Hans and Erika Bandows decided to celebrate their first successful year as lodge owners in their new home by holding an Oktoberfest just like the one they used to attend in Munich. After several days of cooking, cleaning and decorating by the Bandows and their two daughters, Big Bear Lake’s Oktoberfest began. And so it has continued for forty two years.

Over the years, our Oktoberfest has grown bigger and better, but Hans is still Burgermeister and Erika still stops by the kitchen to add her special touch. The tradition continues, and each fall locals and visitors alike gather together to celebrate life, friends, family and beer.

(I originally wrote this post in October 2012)

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‘Things to Do’ Thursday: This Week’s Weather and Events

Posted in Big Bear Activities, Big Bear Information, Big Bear Lake, Things To Do Thursday, tagged , , , , , , , on October 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »

October snowWell, the Government might not be working this week, but Mother Nature sure was. We received a few inches of snow on Wednesday evening and set a record for snowfall in October. A reminder that winter is coming – so sharpen your skis and snowboards!! The coming week looks beautiful and as always, there is plenty to do in Big Bear no matter what time of year it is.

RS Vacations has some really great discounts and packages available until November 15. Also, homes are beginning to fill up for the upcoming holidays, so if you want to come to Big Bear, now is the time to book. Visit us today at RSVacations.net and book a Big Bear Cabin before they are gone!!

Here are the details for this week:

 

10-10-13Weather courtesy of BensWeather.com

what's up 10-12-13

Events courtesy of BigBear.com

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Tuesday’s Topic: Oktoberfest!

Posted in Big Bear Activities, Big Bear Lake, Tuesday's Topic, tagged , , , on October 8, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Willkommen!

This year marks the 43rd anniversary of Big Bear’s Oktoberfest. Beer, lederhosen, sauerkraut, polka, and of course, the chicken dance. There’s something for everyone! 

The Big Bear Oktoberfest is a place of fun. In the mood to dance? You’re in the right place! Participate in (or watch) polkas, macaranas, circle dances, the chicken dance and more. There are plenty of Gaudi’s (Hostesses/Hosts) that will teach you. When you’re all polka’d out, take a stroll outside and visit the Budenstrasse (Avenue of the Booths). This area features games and vendors to entertain the entire family. You can even get your palm read! Do you have little ones in your family? The Kinder Garten features bounce houses, petting zoo, pony rides, face painting, airbrush tattoos and carnival games.

Feeling competitive? Enter one of the free contests. Saw a log, hold some steins, or slam an O’Doul’s and enjoy the admiration and fame!

The food at Oktoberfest is varied as well. There is, of course all of the traditional German fare such as brats, pretzels and pickled pig’s feet, as well as the Cafe Americana which has burgers, onion rings, tacos, nachos and more.

And finally, the beer (or as the Germans spell it, bier) .There are two main inside bars and two outside bier gardens – the Warsteiner Bier Garten and the Sports Garten. The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest pours both German and American beers as well as wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea, water and sports drinks.

The Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest is open weekends from noon to midnight through October 27th.

So book a cabin today with RS Vacations and take part in this fun, fall tradition before it is gone for another year! Don’t forget to pack the lederhosen and bring your stein!!

Auf Wiedersehen!

(This post was originally posted in 2012 – but since Oktoberfest happens every year, I thought I would highlight it again.)

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Spotlight Sunday: Dancing Bears

Posted in RS Vacation Rentals, Spotlight Sunday, tagged , , , , on October 6, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Dancing Bears

 

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Panoramic View of the Slopes and Close to Bear Mountain

 

Dancing Bears is a cozy and warm retreat that is perfect any time of the year with its breathtaking views of the snow covered slopes in winter or refreshing mountain air and blue skies in the summertime. You are above the clouds here at an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet.

This 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath home has light, Southwest decor and comfortable furnishings. The single level floor plan is perfect for all ages with 2 car garage parking underneath. The fenced backyard has plenty of room for the kids and fido to play and a gate at the front door to make it secure.

Dancing Bears Living Room features a Wood-burning Fireplace with fan, Flat Screen TV/DVD with Satellite, Stereo, and comfortable, new seating for 6, including a Queen Sleeper Sofa. There is a selection of games and books for your enjoyment. Comfortable Dining for 6 and a well-equipped Kitchen make this the perfect place to enjoy a family meal. A washer and dryer is available for your convenience. The great outdoors is a slider away as you enjoy relaxing on the large, wrap-around deck. A Charcoal BBQ is provided for your grilling needs. You won’t believe the view!!

The Master Bedroom has a comfy Queen Bed, TV/DVD, Lovely, treed view and access to the Full Bathroom. In the Guest Room, you will also find a Queen Bed and TV/DVD. A unique, Half Bath is located next door.

Dancing Bears truly has it all: A quiet location with spectacular views, close to Bear Mountain Ski Resort, the Zoo and the Golf Course and only minutes to The Village and Lake. Come on up to Big Bear and Enjoy the View!!

Amenities

  • Sleeps: 6
  • Bedrooms: 2
  • Bathrooms: 1.5
Breathtaking Views of Slopes
Close to Bear Mountain
Wrap-a Round Deck
Charcoal BBQ
Satellite TV
Queen in Master and Guest
Queen Sleep Sofa
Woodburning Fireplace
Garage Parking for 2 cars + Driveway
1200 sq.ft.
Good Pets Welcome!

View more photos, check availability and book Dancing Bears online at RSVacations.net today and treat yourself to a relaxing Big Bear Lake Vacation.

To view, download and/or print a .pdf flyer of Dancing Bears, please click the following link: Dancing Bears Printable Flyer

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