After spending one hour strolling around Lake Gregory, sandwiched between Crestline and Twin Peaks, we (Cindi and I) are hungry and feeling refreshed, renewed and restored, resting comfortably in our Treehouse. The attraction of Lake Gregory vs. Lake Arrowhead is the non-commercial and non-built up feel of this natural lake.  There are no docks, no boats allowed except kayaks and anyone can bring a fishing pole and linger by the shore.  Luckily, we are equidistant to both and have our pick of blue water, depending on our mood.

We brought some duck food and stayed close to shore so we could feed the fowl.  Two or three mallards got flustered as I threw pellets into the shallow water and flapped their wings angrily at each other, putting on a great show for us.  Around midway, we returned via the high trail inside the woods that encircle the lake like a ring of green.  When we arrived at 9am, I needed my jacket but soon the movement of walking and the sun warming the earth had me peeling it off, pockets full of keys, treats, phone and duck food.  I tied my black jacket around my waist and we moseyed along the paths ever so slowly and happily, just me and my dog. Cindi watching the action from the dappled shore.

It is becoming a thing to dine well at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and bring Cindi.  The lobby is lovely and grand, the gift shop is nearby, it is more private and quieter than eating in the bustling restaurant, and Cindi can be lying peacefully by my feet on the new, clean designer carpet.Our Repast

Edamame sautéed with garlic, lemon and salt.Vegan Basil Creamy Soup with fresh Watercress Garnish served with delicious, warm sourdough buns.Mango Pecan Fresh Greens Salad with Tofu and Creamy Honey Dijon Dressing

My cousin, G, had a Caeser Salad with Salmon and commented that the croutons were divine.

Having a Fabulous time in Arrowhead with my cousin, G, (who I haven’t seen in ten years) from Argentina.  Of course, we are here with Cindi.  Puptarts were had in the village at Three Dog Bakery, another boat ride for Cindi on the Arrowhead Queen where she was first mate and slept awhile, she had a few treats while we ate at the Lake Arrowhead Resort and her very first time at the Lake beach after dark where dozens of pictures were taken for her photo shoot.Beet and Spinach PuptartsCindi at dinner.Cindi’s first evening lakefront beach stroll.

First!  To my NYC Junior!  I cannot believe you will be a senior next year!!  

We are so very proud of you and we will see you real soon!

My youngest, the last freshmen, is home and we love it. Lots of laundry!!!

Next – Ducks lost by only one measly goal to LA Kings on Wednesday at Staple Center.  We would have had it wrapped up.  Tonight is game 7 and this is it folks.  If we win tonight, we continue into Round 3.  If we lose this evening, I will cry and it will be over this season for us loyal Duck Fans.  I am so glad it will be nice and cool at the Honda Center tonight.

And furthermore – At Bin 189 restaurant in the Gorgeous Luxurious Lake Arrowhead Resort, they cater to dog owners by bringing them menus, food and drinks into the lobby area so you can sit comfortably and munch with your dog in tow.  Only service dogs are allowed in any food area such as the grocers or dining establishments.  Many places with outdoor patios do allow our little Cindi.

Check earlier posts – just type in “resort” or Y2 – Day 59.

The Resort has a gargantuan, recently redone mountain ski resort lobby -a la Aspen or Vail –  with three story high ceilings, a perpetually lit, rock fireplace on an entire wall and brilliantly executed arrangements of extensive eating and lounging areas to choose from.

We sat inside on bar stools, sharing a tall, small bar table, overlooking the pool, which overlooks pines on the shore and then beyond, the deep blue lake.  We had the run of the place and were excited to enjoy some quiet ‘couple’ time after strolling along the unusually busy lake shops together.  Cindi was by our feet on the custom carpet, relaxing.  We were in the far corner and her vantage point was ideal to scan the entire expanse of the hotel floor.  We brought her treats so we wouldn’t be dining without her and she seemed quite satisfied.

Then in comes the hugest St. Bernard (I will call ‘Tiny’) that ever existed on this planet and its teeny owner and family. This occurred a few minutes after we had settled in and they sat one table away from us.  There was at the time, at least eight other locations they could have chosen.  Earlier, as they entered the restaurant and were seated inside, they saw us with Cindi asking the maitre d’ politely if we could dine in the lobby with Cindi and attaining a server and menu.  They must have wanted to dine with their pooch pretty badly too because they left the dining room with half eaten plates in hand, retrieved ‘Tiny’ from I imagine their hotel room and proceeded to approach us.  Cindi was vigilant and barked at the canine every time it had the audacity to come near us – a la David and Goliath.  I swear, ‘Tiny’ looked like two people in a dog costume and Cindi looked like a black porcelain paperweight on your desk that had fallen off and landed on the floor.

Soon, the outdoor seating right outside our window was being appropriated by an ever growing bunch of people that all knew each other, perhaps for a wedding we surmised, holding on to beer bottles from some deli, opening up and sharing paper bags full of fast food and dragging chairs, benches and tables from all over the pool deck, blocking our view of the lake.

So much for Romance!

VEGAN Lunch choices were listed and marked with a leaf.  Although I do not see why the Edamame wouldn’t be vegan too.I chose the Tomato Pesto Soup and it was the best I had ever tasted.  It was creamy, spicy and hearty.  I ordered one to go for dinner because it was so delicious.  The Quinoa stack was prepared by a different chef and was not at all seasoned, rather bland, but it looked great for picture taking before I snapped this i-phone shot.  It needed more of the red pepper coulis.  The fried herbs on top were a much appreciated surprise.  

LET’S GO DUCKS!!!!!!

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. – Anatole France

At Lake Arrowhead, our playground has been demolished and trees removed.

I remember when not too long ago, we swung and played while moms sat and watched and chatted here at this very promontory, overlooking the expanse of the cobalt blue water, touching the green landscaped horizon and pushing into the clean sky of light blue and white.

Great property, handsome piece of real estate.  Let’s see what becomes of it.

We were lucky we got to take the Arrowhead Queen out for a spin on the lake tour.  The wooden beauty had been out of the water for the last three months for the first time in 26 years for a thorough face lift.  She had been back into the water and up for service just one week when we walked across her plank.  Captain Nick described homes, facts about the lake and its history.  The only two children on board had the honor of steering for small segments of the trip.   The water was choppy and dark blue as we made our way around the perimeter of the shoreline.

We believe it may have been Cindi’s first time on board any water vessel, certainly it was my first time with chi weenie Queenie Cindi.For her good behavior, we took Cindi to The Three Dog Bakery for treats and ML and I finally got a picture of ourselves without it being a phone selfie.  Two more queens lapping up the joy of another day!

To think that over thirty years ago, after meeting in college, we were just starting our teaching careers, were unmarried and partied hard together and now, our children (that we never thought we’d have) are in or done with college.  It’s good to have people in your life you learn from and change, have fun, share and grow older with.

We originally called ahead and were told we could bring Cindi to the Thai restaurant with lakeside seating.  When we arrived, they were about to seat us inside and were going to just tie up Cindi outdoors.  NO go!

We changed plans and headed up to the top level of Lake Arrowhead Village for some scrumptious veggie pizza instead and not such a bad view either.  To their original vegetable pizza we deleted the cheese and added artichokes and extra sauce.  The crust was thin and crispy without it being burnt and the pizza already included peppers, onions and olives.  We ate outdoors in their vast seating area alone (weekdays up here sans snow is just locals) till eventually two young couples with two behaved small dogs joined us outside at a distant table.

 We took a stroll by the shore and a look see inside the Resort, asked about dining with Cindi and then came back home to regroup and drop off our leftover pizza.  Later, we returned to the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa for dinner.  Although only service dogs are allowed inside the dining establishment, they were willing to feed us in their sumptuous lobby with various sitting sections which was actually much more private and entertaining.  We hit the gift shop first of course, each of us always enjoying it since we egg each other on with compliments or honest critique.  We shared a mixed green salad with cilantro/guava dressing minus the goat cheese. Roasted eggplant, onions and squash accompanied by a garlicky variety of olives sat alongside a healthy dollop of well-seasoned, rustic hummus that we dipped into with grilled pita and thin diagonal cucumber slices.  The Sole sparkly water was a classy, refreshing touch.  From our vantage point we could people watch and Cindi could comfortably, quietly rest on soft, designer carpet.The restaurant inside the Resort.

Loving each other up right in front of our dining location in the lavish lobby.

Every day is a glorious day but yesterday was exceptional.

Cindi had her first known boat cruise around Lake Arrowhead and had sea worthy legs!There was much duck feeding and duck chasing!A healthy dinner of vegan teriyaki beef skewers with roasted garlic, raisin pecan brown rice and a salad made with grilled artichokes, home grown tomatoes, red cabbage, Bitchin cilantro sauce, kalamata olives all mixed into a field of greens.Sharing new experiences, new places, and new foods.  It doesn’t get any better than that!