#Little San Bernardino Mountains

[thorsenmark]

I’d Rather Have a Time Out for Behavior in Joshua Tree National Park by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: A setting looking to the south while taking in views across mountain desert landscape with Joshua Trees and other plant-life present in this part of Joshua Tree National Park. In composing this image, I took advantage of the grouping of Joshua Trees to my front and how it helped to fill the foreground leading up to the more distant snowcapped ridges and peaks of Quail Mountain. The rest was later making adjustments with control points in DxO PhotoLab 6 to bring out the contrast, saturation and brightness I wanted for the final image.

[beyondthesefourwalls]

This Love Came Back to Me (10)

Summary: You and Bradley hadn’t ended on bad terms; really, you stopped before the two of you could even truly begin. Still, in the last seven months, you had never completely left his mind. So when you suddenly appeared in front of him at the bar, asking for a favor and pulling him into a kiss, he thought maybe it was the perfect opportunity to see if this time, things could be different. But what neither of you realized was that there’s more going on than just rekindling a lost romance, and it might not be as easy as simply just wanting it. 

Pairing: Bradley Bradshaw x Reader (no use of y/n)

Warnings: second chance romance, language, allusions of smut and potential full smut, stalking, breaking and entering, unhealthy obsessions, delusions of feelings, unwanted attention.

Part Ten Word Count: 3.9K

Part Nine :: Series Masterlist

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Bradley told you to pack enough for the week. After dropping off all the appropriate forms at the courthouse on Monday morning, the two of you headed off. The further you got from San Diego, the more relaxed you seemed to become. He had managed to find a cabin a few hours away up in San Bernardino. It was secluded, tucked away in the mountains and amongst the trees, but it’s picturesque, quiet, something he knew you would love. He paid more than a little extra to have it ready at such short notice, but it was worth it ten times over to see the smile on your face when you climbed out of the Bronco and breathed in the crisp and invigorating mountain area. He couldn’t help but just to watch you for a minute, your head tilted back and your eyes closed. 

There was still a heaviness around you that he knew wouldn’t go right away. But for the first time in days, you looked something close to at peace. 

The inside of the cabin was just as impressive as the outside. It had a large open concept space that contained the living room and the kitchen, and it was all wood tones and dark, oversized furniture. Faux fur rugs decorated the hardwood floors, and the windows were tall and wide, letting in whatever natural light peaked in through the trees facing that side of the house. You spun in a slow circle, looking up at the high tilted ceilings with the exposed beams. 

“Wow,” you breathed. It was all you needed to say for Bradley to know he had made the right call in bringing you here. 

You left him to take your bags to the bedroom as he put away the groceries you had stopped for on the way. You hadn’t come back by the time he was done so he set off to find you, going down the short hallway to the only other room in the cabin. He couldn’t help but whistle in appreciation as he looked around the space. The king size bed that looked like the most comfortable thing he had ever seen sat in the middle of the room. There was a rocking chair tucked into the corner, and the dresser looked like it was made of the same type of sturdy wood as the bedframe. There was an en suite bathroom that he was sure was just as beautiful, but the real draw of this room, perhaps this place in general, was the view he was currently looking at. 

He hadn’t spent too much time looking at the pictures on the rental website, but he suddenly understood the price tag on it. 

There was a large deck off of the bedroom, and through the open french doors, he could see nothing but the mountain landscape. Rugged peaks and luscious trees of greens and browns and oranges; nature in its purest form. It was only early afternoon and the open blue sky was breathtaking; he couldn’t imagine what it would look like at sunset. More than that though, was the view he had brought with him. You were leaning against the railing, taking in the stunning panorama that the deck overlooked. He joined you outside, careful to make his presence known so that when he wrapped his arms around you from behind, you didn’t jump. 

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” 

You spoke quietly as you leant back against him, almost like you were afraid to disrupt the calmness surrounding you from all sides. 

“It is,” he agreed. And he was looking at the view, yes, but he was mostly looking at you. 

You turned to face him, winding your arms around his neck. “Thank you,” you said, “for bringing me here. I think-I think I-” you closed your eyes and shook your head, and the deep breath you took came out a little shaky. Bradley waited for you as you collected your thoughts, his thumbs rubbing circles into the small of your back. “I think I needed this,” you finally settled on. He knew there was so much more behind your words. 

Bradley considered his response carefully. He knew what he wanted to say. But he knew it wasn’t the time yet. 

“I’d do anything for you,” he said instead. He pulled you a little bit closer. He didn’t want you to thank him for bringing you here, because taking care of you wasn’t something he ever wanted to be thanked for like it was a chore. Your eyes brightened just a bit at his words and you raised on your toes to kiss him. 

You passed the next few hours doing not much of anything, and Bradley thought it was exactly what the both of you needed. He could tell that you were still exhausted after the weekend, and if he was being honest, he was too. It was nearing 5pm and he was about to ask you what you wanted to make for dinner when your phone rang. You looked up from the book you were reading to where your phone was sitting on the coffee table. Seeing the hesitation in your eyes, Bradley cleared his throat of his own anxiety and leant forward to pick it up. When he saw that the suggested name for the number was the San Diego Courthouse, he handed it to you with what he hoped was an encouraging smile. 

“It’ll be okay,” he whispered, squeezing your ankle from where your feet were resting in his lap. You nodded and answered the phone with a deep breath. 

“Hello?” 

Bradley kept his eyes trained on you and it wasn’t long into the call that your eyes squeezed shut and you bit down on your lip so hard he worried about drawing blood. That same defeated look that had been on your face the last few days reappeared. 

He knew, without you even needing to say anything, that you hadn’t been granted the emergency temporary restraining order. 

His heart fell and he reached out and grasped your free hand in his. He could feel the bandages still covering your palm against his skin and your nails dug into his hand as you squeezed. A tear slid down your cheek and he brought your hand up to press a kiss onto your fingers. He scooted closer on the couch, drawing you into his chest. You tucked your face into his neck and he listened as you asked about a court date and thanked them for calling before letting the phone fall to the couch. Immediately, both of your arms were wrapped around his neck, and he was pulling you fully into his lap. 

“What did they say?” he asked gently into your hair. He felt you take a shuddering breath. 

“Not enough concrete evidence as of right now,” you told him. “I’ll get a phone call about a court date. God, this is such bullshit.” 

Bradley let out a long sigh, pressing a kiss to your head as he held you close. He couldn’t say part of him didn’t see this coming after the conversation he’d had with Sadie, even if he had hoped with everything in him it would go the other way. 

He pulled back, cupping your face in his hands and making you look at him. He wiped away the wetness on your cheek with his thumb. “We can call Sadie later. Figure something out. Okay?” 

You nodded, but he could tell you were beating yourself up, and that all the worst scenarios were running through your head again. “What can I do?” he asked, feeling somewhat desperate. He’d do anything for you, just like he said. 

It took you a moment to respond, playing with a button on his open flannel shirt. “I think I just want you to hold me right now,” you answered back quietly. 

He wondered if you had any idea he’d do that forever if you let him, no matter the circumstances. 

——

When Bradley blinked awake the next morning, you weren’t beside him. He felt a flare of panic for a brief moment at the cold sheets, his sleep-fogged brain having a hard time coming out of the nightmares he had had, but then he heard the soft hum of music and movement coming from the main area of the cabin. He let his face fall back into the pillow and took a deep breath as his heart rate slowed. 

He laid there for a moment just listening before dragging himself out of bed, popping into the bathroom quickly before heading out of the bedroom. 

He found you quickly enough, his suspicions confirmed that you were in the kitchen. A smile tugged at his lips as he watched you pop back and forth between the stove and the fridge, wearing his shirt from the day before and a pair of fuzzy socks on your feet. A smudge of what looked like pancake batter was on your cheek, and there were specks of flour in the messy bun on top of your head. You smiled brightly when you caught sight of him standing there. 

“Morning, sleepyhead.” 

He couldn’t help but feel a bit of surprise at your tone. You sounded at ease and energetic, which was the complete opposite of how you had fallen asleep last night. He responded back with his own greeting as he walked over to you. You were manning pancakes, just like he had thought, and bacon sizzled on the other burner. He wrapped his arms around you from behind, pressing his lips to your cheek. He could taste a hint of vanilla from the batter he kissed off. 

“How long have you been awake?” he wondered, voice still thick and rough with sleep. You leaned back into his chest as you flipped a pancake. He noted that it was a little after 9:00 from the clock on the microwave, and was surprised he himself had slept so long. 

“A few hours,” you shrugged, and you turned the temperature down on the bacon before turning in his arms to kiss him properly. 

He raised an eyebrow in question when you pulled away. “A few hours?” 

“Yeah,” you told him, and you took a deep breath before offering him another, softer smile. “I emailed my resume to that contact that Anna gave me, about a potential job. And then I put in a few more applications. And then I emailed Sadie all that she had asked about, and my landlord about not renewing my lease. And then I realized the time, so I thought I’d make us breakfast.” 

“Wow,” he murmured, “productive morning, huh?” 

You shrugged, glancing down almost shyly before meeting his eyes again. “You went through a lot of trouble getting us this place for the week. And you…you’ve gone through a lot of trouble for me.” 

“Bug, I-” 

“No, let me finish,” you told him, putting your finger against his lips to stop him from speaking. “I really appreciate it, Bradley. I appreciate you. And I want to be here, be present with you. Everything else can wait until we get back to San Diego. It’s certainly not going away anytime soon. But for this week…I want to just be. Here. With you. Happy. Because that’s what you make me. And I think we both deserve the time away, no matter what got us here. Right?”  

His heart beat a little faster in his chest as you spoke, and he felt something that he thought was pride bubble up in him. You said the words almost reverently, like you craved nothing more. Bradley could see it in your eyes how desperately you meant it.

“Okay,” he murmured, nodding his agreement. He pressed a kiss to your nose, delighting in the way you giggled in response. “So, what are we doing first?”

“Breakfast,” you told him with a grin, “And then we can figure it out from there.” 

He squeezed your hips with a nod. “That sounds perfect.” 

After an unhurried breakfast, you ended up spending the day hiking on some of the trails down the mountainside. He knew how much you loved being outside and that the last few months, between how busy you were and how uneasy you felt, you hadn’t really had the opportunity. So he didn’t hesitate to indulge you as you kept a leisurely pace, simply enjoying being outdoors and taking in all of the scenery that Mother Nature offered you. You packed a small lunch of sandwiches and fruit that you took with you, eating together amongst the grass and rocks.

The sun was setting by the time you got back to the cabin, sweaty with sore muscles but both of you smiling. You were still giggling at the story he was telling you about a prank Payback had played on Nat last week - and the payback she had gotten in return - when you walked through the door and toed your shoes off. 

Bradley pulled you to him with a gentle hand on your hip, leaning down to place a kiss on your lips as your laughter died down. 

“Why don’t you go shower, and I can start on dinner?” he suggested. 

“I can cook tonight,” you insisted, but he shook his head. 

“I got it.”

“B…”

He silenced your protest with another soft kiss, squeezing your hip over your spandex leggings. “Shower,” he whispered against your lips. He pressed his own to your nose and forehead before winking and stepping back. He watched you walk back to the bedroom, pausing when you got to the doorway. You looked back at him over your shoulder, your bottom lip drawn between your teeth. You looked like you were contemplating something, and Bradley clocked the flash of heat that pops up in your eyes. His heart beat a little faster in his chest. You looked like you were contemplating saying something, but after a moment, you gave him a quick smile before disappearing into the room. 

He let out a long huff of air and ran a hand through his hair. 

He hadn’t even thought about touching you since Saturday morning before you had left for brunch. It was only Tuesday night now, but it felt like so much time had passed since he took you in the bed of that goddamn house of yours. You had both been upset the last few days, and he’d never dream of using those emotions to his advantage. He knew today had been better, but you hadn’t invited him in the shower with you - he’d wait until you told him you were ready. 

But damn if the happiness you were exuding today and the look you just gave him didn’t make resisting difficult.

He kept things simple, and an easy meal was done by the time you were finished. Your hair was piled in a wet knot on top of your head and you wore one of his oversized sweatshirts that was so long on you, he could barely see the hem of the athletic shorts you had on, too. Still, when you walked back into the main area of the cabin, his breath caught. He stared at you for a moment, and when you furrowed an eyebrow, softly asking him what was wrong, he cleared his throat and shook his head. 

“Nothing,” he said, and then held out one of the bowls of pasta in his hand. The two of you sat at the small kitchen table as you ate your dinner. He was happy to see that your appetite seemed to have come back after not eating much of anything the last three days. You did the dishes together when you were done, your side flush with his as he washed and you dried. He excused himself after that to go take his own shower, and he didn’t miss the way you bit your lip again as the same look crossed your eyes. But you gave him another one of those gentle smiles when he caught your eye, turning away before he could say anything. 

He made it a quick one, in and out in enough time to scrub off and run some of your shampoo and conditioner through his hair. He was worried spending anymore time in there with his thoughts would be cause for something significantly colder in temperature. 

A buzzing drew his attention as he was toweling off. His brows furrowed together and he was quick to slip his black briefs on and step back into the bedroom. Your phone was on top of the dresser, vibrating against the wood. It stopped before he could reach it, only to start again in short, quick bursts that indicated you were getting multiple texts in a row.

He picked it up with the intention of taking it to you, but then he caught a look at the screen. His blood ran cold in his veins and his muscles locked up. 

Underneath the notifications of the missed calls, you had a slew of messages, all from an unsaved number.  

Unknown: You haven’t been at work in two days. Are you okay?

Unknown: I miss seeing you 

Unknown: Why won’t you answer the phone? 

Unknown: I still have your necklace. Don’t you want it back? 

Unknown: I can’t see where you are anymore. Why did you do that? I need to check on you. 

They continued to come in, each one more concerning and unhinged than the one before. 

He could feel the corners of your phone case pressing into his palms from how hard he was gripping the device, as well as the heat that crept up his neck in anger. It was obvious who was sending these messages. Paul must have gone out of his way to get another phone number, and Bradley's not sure why he was surprised by this. He was foolish to not have thought of it before. 

You may have blocked his number, but that doesn’t mean your number was blocked from his. 

God damnit. 

The phone rang again, the same unknown number flashing on the screen. Every single fiber of Bradley’s being wanted to answer it and demand that he leave you the fuck alone and get everything that he had kept in off of his chest. His finger hovered over the answer button as he intended to do just that. 

But the cops you had spoken with as well as Sadie had said that neither of you should engage with him, and that it would turn in his favor if you did. He knew that it would only make things worse for you. So he fought himself and let it ring. He was nearly trembling by the time it stopped, and he watched as more texts came through. Red tinted his vision at the last one. 

Unknown: He took you from me. You should have told him that you were already mine.  

Bradley nearly broke the screen with how hard he pressed on it as he went in and blocked the number. He was set on deleting everything, but paused before he did. He glanced up at the open bedroom door. He could hear the TV playing softly, some sitcom you liked to rewatch over and over again. You had made the conscious decision this morning that you weren’t going to worry or think about Paul this week. You had laughed and smiled and seemed truly relaxed and happy all day.  He didn’t want to ruin that. 

But he wondered if this could help you in the long run, and be some sort of evidence of just how unhinged this guy was when it came to you.

Making a split second decision, he took screenshots of all your missed calls and texts and sent them to himself before deleting them from your phone and turning it off.

You didn’t need to know right now. He could shoulder this for you until it was necessary.  

He sunk down onto the edge of the bed, putting his face in his hands and trying to take deep breaths. He knew he needed to calm down before he went back out to you. He was so angry his hands were shaking, but after a few minutes, that rage transformed into something sadder. 

He couldn’t understand why this was happening to you. You, who was inherently good. You worked so hard and were kind to everyone you met, even when they didn’t deserve it. And this asshole had taken advantage of and construed that kindness into something that it wasn’t and tried to manipulate you into thinking you were at fault. 

That last text played in his mind again, and for the first time, he wondered if his presence in your life was what made all of this what it was. Paul had been following you for months, yes. But as far as you both knew, he hadn’t escalated to what he had until that night in the bar when Bradley had announced himself as your boyfriend. 

It left a terrible feeling in his stomach and a bad taste in his mouth. 

He took one more deep breath and stood from the bed, slipping on a pair of sweatpants and a tshirt. You were curled up on the couch under a thick maroon afghan that had been draped over the back and you smiled at him when he came into view, sipping on a mug of what he assumed was tea based on the string hanging out of it. 

“Hi there,” you murmured. 

He leaned over the couch to press a kiss to your waiting lips. “Hey.” 

“How was your shower?” you asked. 

“Good. I don’t smell like dirt and sweat anymore,” he joked, and he felt himself calm down further when you laughed, just like he had hoped you would. A playful look came over your face and you set your drink down, crooking a finger for him to come closer. You kissed him again when he did. 

“I’ll be the judge of that. Come sit with me. We can watch a movie.” 

You shifted so he could settle onto the couch behind you, your back against his chest as you laid between his legs. He wrapped his arms around you and you pulled the blanket over the two of you as you grabbed the remote again to flip to a different streaming service on the tv above the fireplace. You scrolled through the extensive movie collection, and Bradley thought about what things would look like if he had declined your request for help that night and didn’t kiss you, if you never would have reconnected. Would they have gone so far? Or would things be the same, only you would be dealing with them on your own? 

But he was selfish enough where he couldn’t handle the thought of losing you again, either. He had to believe you were safer with him there, because he could protect you. He wasn’t going anywhere - he couldn’t. 

He loved you way too much to let you go.  At this point, you controlled and owned nearly every part of him, and he didn’t think you even knew it. He wanted to tell you.

“What do you want to watch?” you asked. 

Bradley cleared his throat that was suddenly thick with emotion. He pressed a kiss to the side of your head, nuzzling his face into your neck and breathing in the sweet smell of your hair. 

“Whatever you want,” he rasped out, tightening his grip on you. You hummed in pleasure as you snuggled back into him. “You’re in control here, Bug.” 

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Part Eleven :: Series Masterlist :: Main Masterlist

Notes: Tell her, B! Likes/comments/reblogs are the best encouragement for posting more🖤

Thank you to Mak and Em for all of your help making this story come to life. And thanks to Mak for the AMAZING banner!

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[amandacanwrite]

So here is the tea.

Hey guys, I have been absent since like, March.

Long story short, at the end of march our life blew up and we were genuinely facing the possibility of homelessness after we fell behind on rent and just couldn't catch up. It was an insanely stressful period of our lives, but with some luck and support from my husband's family we were able to find a new place to live.

We moved about 40 miles from our previous location, into the mountains of San Bernardino. Which is gorgeous, by the way.

Though we downsized considerably and had to get rid of more than half of what we owned (and still have to get rid of more,) we are safe, I have been mega busy at my day job (I do hair.) And my husband found a union job at a local grocery store.

We are slowly catching up with the bills we're behind on, for once we have been able to pay rent without tears and Uber eats being involved and frankly? The mountain life is what we've been wanting for a long, long time. Here, we actually have hope of buying a home some day and the people are mostly kind and curious, if not a bit nosy.

I just finished developmental edits on my novel With Love, Juniper and will be hosting a cover reveal stream on twitch next Monday. You're welcome to join us if you're interested.

I'm hoping to get back into the groove of working on my long fic and start writing other work that I've had to put on the back burner since starting my new job and prioritizing my novel.

Thanks to those of you who kept commenting, reblogging and liking my stuff while I was gone. It meant everything to me to know people still cared about my silly little fanfics while I was on the grind.

Catch me up, how have you been? Tell me below!

@softvampirewhump @horizonstride @thoughts-of-bear @mymybirdie @tiedyedghoulette

@drabblesandimagines @madwomansapologist @hijirikaww @tryingtowritestuff24 @laserlope

@auroraesmeraldarose @puckprimrose @dont-try-pesticide @cherifrog @circusofthelastdays 

@nourangul @crucibelle @fan-aaa-tic @listen-to-navi @spillthetaesissy

@a-crystallen-author

[lupinuslepidus]

so for this summer i am (per usual!) doing fieldwork, and since we’re trying to cover wide climate gradients across our species range, we’re covering a lot of ground!! im hoping to do little writeups as we go along. this week was our first week out, we headed to south CA to a NEW ENVIRONMENT for me -- a few nights in the san bernardino mountains, a few nights in the joshua tree national park. so many cacti and lizards and snakes and new birds! also Incidents. there's always The Incidents. i'm trying to do a little sketch a day during our lunch break of whatever plant happens to be in sight. there was a lot of globe mallow up at our san bernardino sites (SPAM2 being the usfs plant code), the shrub and cactus were just fun Shapes.

also, here's the thing i'm actually studying (i'm probably going to take another stab at trying to illustrate the branch morphology at some point but it was a good start.) im not kidding ive been seeing cone scars and branches flash behind my eyes as im falling asleep.

[skpct]

Day 22: I-10, 2440 miles from the Southern Terminus.

Well, my trip has been derailed a little bit, again. I don’t want to get to much into the details, so I’ll just say I developed a minor medical problem and had to go see a doctor in Palm Springs to get some medication. I’m fine, don’t worry, but I’ll have to take a few days off to recover. I actually got to I-10 on day 20, but I was pretty tired that day and the next day, so I didn’t make a post then.

Hiking! I took a lot more pictures this time.

I was able to get picked up from idyllwild and get to to Black Mountain Road okay. I saw some interesting advertisements outside the grocery store where I got picked up…

Generally, walking on mountain roads is kinda boring, but this one was gorgeous. It got snowy, but it wasn’t too bad to walk on. When I got to the point it intersected with the pct, I could see that nobody had hiked across the entity of the San Jacinto mountains for a while. There was no boot track coming from that direction, so I think I made the right call. There were no serious hazards on the alternative route that I took, and with my crampons, I was invincible on the snow.

I was able to get some great views of the mountains! The San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountains, but also the other side of San Jacinto.

That was the first day, which was pretty much fine health wise. The second day I was deteriorating pretty quick, but I was able to drag my butt to I-10 I get into Palm Springs. Thank you to Aunt Lonnie and Uncle Joe for all their support while I’ve been here. I’ll maybe do another post later today or tomorrow. There’s some more stuff I need to talk about about what’s coming up on the trail. Peace!

[electric-rabbits]

I love The Mountain Goats bc every once in a while I’ll randomly decide that a specific song of theirs is the best and I’ll spend weeks listening to it and then I’ll remember a completely different song to obsess over and the cycle starts anew, but anyways. You guys ever listened to San Bernardino?? See, there’s two things that really get me with this song, first one being how hopeful it is. John Darnielle is great at writing despair but even better at writing hope imo, because he writes hope from this realistic, almost pessimistic place. His hopeful songs are never about an ideal version of reality; they are about daring to hope, about hope as this defiant force that drives us forward. San Bernardino is a song about a young couple who’s probably homeless, who can’t afford a hospital room and so they have their kid at a shitty roadside motel; and still they are willing to try and build their own little paradise together. Not because they don’t know how hard things are, but because they know they have one another and that’s a lot to fight for. “We will never be alone in this world. No matter what they say, we’re gonna be okay.” And the other is my personal relationship with religion, specifically christianity. I was raised catholic, and while I never cared much for god, I always loved the saints and even Christ himself. Not because of their holiness, that’s the part that I never got, even before becoming an atheist; but because of their humanity. I loved the idea of seeing holy figures as flawed, scared, hopeful human beings, people like me and my neighbors and my friends. First time in my teenaged religion crisis when I felt like I could still cherish this humanity was reading a poem about Jesus running away from heaven to be forever a human child, and since then I search for these stories when I can. And San Bernardino is a nativity scene. The parents are a poor young couple, running away from a dangerous place and searching for a sanctuary where they can just exist, searching for the maps of the garden of Eden; and San Bernardino is a town, and it’s a saint, and it’s a manger. The child who’s being born isn’t Jesus but they are something far more sacred for that couple. They are both a blessing and a promise, and earth itself is welcoming them to this world. 

[scioscribe]

Help for Crestline, CA

Signal-boosting a DW post from a friend, rachelmanija, whose area is currently very much in need of a a competent, coordinated emergency response. The post is as follows:

I have written a post which I have copied below. Feel free to link if you don't have Facebook. If you do have Facebook, please share it. Facebook Post Please share this widely! I’m a resident of Crestline, CA and a former disaster relief worker for the American Red Cross. This is the worst disaster response I’ve ever encountered. One week after an unprecedented snowstorm, we’re in dire straits and getting very little assistance.

Crestline and other areas affected by the San Bernardino snow disaster need help. We need a FEDERAL disaster declaration, door-to-door welfare checks for people trapped in their homes, door-to-door help shoveling paths out of the snow, removal of 10’ and higher ice berms trapping our cars, reimbursement for disaster-related expenses, and permission to return to our homes if we need to leave the mountain to get medical aid or supplies. Please contact President Biden, CA Governor Newsom, and San Bernardino elected officials to urge this help. You can just copy the requests in this paragraph, but read on if you want more details about what’s going on - and my own story. We are used to snow here, and most residents are well-prepared for a typical snowstorm. Crestline normally gets six inches to two feet of snow. We got over nine feet of snow. Individual residents are not prepared for that, and we are overwhelmed. Some people are literally trapped inside their homes by snow blocking their doors. Others can leave their homes but not their yards because the snow is over their heads. Many streets are not plowed, so no vehicles can drive. When streets are plowed, the snow is pushed to the sides and forms 10’ – 20’ walls of solid ice which block cars and driveways. The official statement of San Bernardino is that there will be no help breaking down the ice walls or shoveling paths to homes – they are only willing to plow the streets. These are not normal ice berms and individuals cannot break them down! We need help with this. Many people are running out of food, as the only grocery in Crestline collapsed due to snow and the one in the next closest town partially collapsed. The only food distribution is at city centers, and it’s not in the same places every day. Many people cannot get past the ice walls or walk miles through snow up to their waist or over their head to get to the food. Because the food distribution points rotate rather than being in the same place consistently, people are struggling for hours through the snow only to find there is no food there that day. The sites are announced over the internet the day before, but many people have their internet cut off due to the storm and have no way of knowing where the food will be. We need consistent, daily food distribution sites. We also need door to door food distribution as many people can’t walk to the sites. Remember, our cars are trapped and we can’t drive! Residents are allowed to drive down the mountain (if they’ve dug their cars out), but if we leave, we will not be allowed back up. No one is saying when we will be allowed back, but officials have hinted it will be at least a week and maybe a month or more. So anyone who drives down to get medical help or food is trapped away from their home with no idea of when they can return. Because of this, everyone is afraid to leave, so we have no way of replenishing our own supplies and no way of lightening the load in general by going to stay with friends. Residents need to be allowed back up the mountain! Homes and businesses are collapsing from the weight of snow on the roof. We have ten times the amount of snow we normally get in some places, and we need help with it. As gas vents are blocked by snow and gas pipes are breaking from the weight, a number of houses have exploded or burned down. I have yet to see any assistance shoveling out gas vents. Again, normally we could do this ourselves, but not when there’s nine feet of snow and ice! Supposedly help is here. None of us have seen it. We’ve seen National Guard helicopters circling, but no boots on the ground. If ever there was a time for a large National Guard deployment, it’s now. The American Red Cross has opened a shelter, but it’s in Redland – off the mountain and 45 minutes away from anyone who actually needs help. We need the Red Cross on the mountain, where they’re actually needed. We would love to help each other and are doing our best, but we literally can’t get to each other. We are overwhelmed and need help. I am especially worried about disabled, sick, and elderly people who live alone. What happens to them if they don’t have close neighbors who can check on them? We need door-to-door welfare checks. Here's my own story. At the beginning of the storm, one of my water pipes burst. The water company contacted me and told me they were cutting off my water. I filled my bathtub and all containers. (I also keep emergency water.) They plowed my street just up to my water meter, turned off my water, and backed out rather than continuing to plow the street. That was a week ago and to date they have been the only official response of any kind I have seen on my street. Soon after, my internet cable broke in the storm. My 4G and telephone service also went out. I live alone and at that point I had no way whatsoever to communicate with anyone. I am five feet tall and my house was surrounded by snow over my head. I dug my way out of the house in the hope of making phone calls asking for help from a neighbor’s house. Then I discovered that the ways out of my property were also blocked. My driveway was under nine feet of soft snow, and my staircase, which is wooden and very steep, was under five feet of soft snow. Both ended in ice walls about ten feet high. Either way out was extremely dangerous. I was so desperate that I climbed and slid down the staircase, then climbed the ice wall. I found a neighbor with internet and phone service, and began making calls for help. I explained to everyone that I spoke to that I had no communication whatsoever at my house and no running water, and that leaving my house was extremely dangerous. I requested help shoveling the staircase and for my internet and/or phone to be fixed so I could at least call for help. (I couldn’t move in with the neighbors or go to a shelter as I have pets and farm animals I need to care for.) The response I got was disheartening. My internet company, Spectrum, offered me a service appointment ten days in the future. The San Bernardino official helpline took my number, but I never heard back from them. The plumbers I contacted about repairing my pipe so I can get my water turned back on were sympathetic, but they all lived in San Bernardino and worked in Crestline, and were not allowed up the mountain. One of them said that he has snow cats and a full crew and asked to come up to help shovel people out, but was refused permission to go up the mountain. My neighbors shoveled a path up my stairs so I could get in and out without risking my neck. I still have no running water and no idea when that can be fixed. My car in under ten feet of snow and blocked by a fifteen foot wall of solid ice, so I can’t leave. I still have no reliable internet or phone service at my house. I am posting this from a neighbor’s house. Please repost this to spread the word of the desperate situation and shocking mismanagement of this disaster. Please contact President Biden to ask him to declare a FEDERAL disaster. Please contact Governor Gavin Newsom of CA and elected officials in San Bernardino to ask them to send actual help, not just empty promises and false claims. Thank you. Rachel Manija Brown, writing from Crestline, CA on March 5, 2023. Feel free to copy or reprint this anywhere with attribution.

[pcttrailsidereader]

Hurricane Hilary, Whitewater River and the Whitewater Preserve

The section of the PCT between the San Jacinto and the San Bernardino mountain ranges was, for me, one of the more challenging sections of the trail. Certainly not the most pristine (it includes the I-10 undercrossing, greater Cabazon, and massive wind farms) and often stark, incredibly hot, and barren until you are well up Mission Creek. The broad flood plain of the Whitewater River normally carries a modest flow from snowmelt in the San Bernardino Mountains. However, late in August 2023, Hurricane Hilary dumped an extraordinary amount of rain in the Whitewater River drainage turning the normal August trickle into a raging torrent:

Among the casualties was the PCT in that area and the wonderful oasis not far off the trail, the Whitewater Preserve. The Preserve just re-opened on December 11 and the PCT remains seriously impacted. Reports are incomplete but the most significant impacts to travel are in the upper portion of North Fork Mission Creek (~mile 235-239), an area managed by San Bernardino National Forest in Sand to Snow National Monument.

In the next post, we will cover the Whitewater Preserve in a little more detail and share some photos taken during better times.

[chchchchelsea]

Top California Cabin Rentals for a Cozy and Memorable Getaway

California offers a diverse range of cabin rentals perfect for a cosy and unforgettable getaway.Whether nestled in the tranquil forests of the Sierra Nevada, perched on the edge of scenic lakes, or tucked away in the charming mountain towns, these cabins provide the ideal escape from the everyday hustle. With options for every taste from rustic retreats to luxurious escapes there’s something for everyone looking to unwind in nature.In this guide, we’ll explore the top california cabin rentals that promise comfort, breathtaking views, and a memorable experience, making them the perfect choice for your next adventure.

Escape to Tranquility Best Cabin Rentals in Big Bear for a Peaceful Retreat California Cabin Rentals

Big Bear offers an idyllic setting for those seeking a relaxing retreat in the heart of the San Bernardino Mountains. Cabin rentals in the area combine comfort with scenic views, providing a perfect backdrop for unwinding. Whether you're looking for a secluded hideaway or a more accessible location close to outdoor activities,california cabin rentals has it all.These cabins boast amenities like fireplaces, hot tubs, and stunning mountain vistas, creating a cozy and tranquil atmosphere that promises a memorable escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Luxury Meets Nature Experience Comfort and Elegance in California Cabin Rentals

For those who want to enjoy the best of both worlds luxury and nature california cabin rentals rentals offer a perfect blend. From modern chalets to rustic retreats, these cabins provide high-end amenities such as gourmet kitchens, spacious decks, and floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the breathtaking views. Whether nestled in the Sierra Nevada or along the coast, these luxurious cabins allow you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of California without sacrificing comfort. A stay in one of these cabins ensures a plush, memorable getaway amid stunning landscapes.

Adventure Awaits Best Cabin Rentals for Outdoor Enthusiasts in California Cabin Rentals

California cabin rentals is a haven for outdoor lovers and its cabin rentals provide the perfect base for your next adventure.From the towering redwoods in the north to the rugged cliffs of the Sierra Nevada, there’s no shortage of natural wonders to explore. Popular activities near these cabins include hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and fishing. Many of the cabin rentals are located near national parks and wilderness areas, allowing visitors to experience the best of California's diverse outdoor offerings while enjoying a cozy, well-equipped home base to return to each night.

Pet-Friendly Cabins for a Family Getaway with Furry Companions California Cabin Rentals

A cabin retreat in california cabin rentals doesn’t have to exclude your four-legged friends. Many cabin rentals across the state are pet-friendly, ensuring that your entire family, including your pets, can enjoy the adventure together. These pet-friendly cabins often offer spacious yards, nearby walking trails, and even pet amenities to make your stay comfortable. Whether you’re exploring the coast, mountains, or countryside, these cabins provide a perfect sanctuary for your family and pets to unwind after a fun-filled day of exploring the great outdoors.

Charming Historical Cabins in California for a Unique Experience California Cabin Rentals

For travellers seeking something a little different,california cabin rentals offers historical cabin rentals that offer a step back in time. Many of these charming cabins, some of which date back to the 19th century, have been thoughtfully preserved and updated to offer modern conveniences while maintaining their historic appeal. Nestled in serene locations, these cabins provide guests with a unique opportunity to experience California’s rich history while enjoying the comforts of a rustic getaway. From vintage décor to antique furnishings, a stay in one of these cabins is a truly unforgettable experience.

Romantic Getaways Cosy Cabins for Couples in California Cabin Rentals Most Scenic Locations

California is home to some of the most romantic destinations in the country, and its cabin rentals provide the perfect setting for couples looking to escape for a cosy retreat. Many cabins offer intimate amenities like private hot tubs, outdoor fire pits, and cosy fireplaces that make for the perfect evening. Whether you’re in the forests of Northern California or the mountains of Southern california cabin rentals,these cabins offer a peaceful, secluded environment that allows couples to reconnect with each other and nature, ensuring a memorable and romantic getaway.

Family-Friendly Cabins Spacious Rentals for a Fun and Relaxing Vacation California Cabin Rentals

California cabin rentals are an excellent choice for families seeking a cosy yet spacious place to stay. Many cabins offer large living spaces, multiple bedrooms, and family-friendly amenities like game rooms, kitchens with all the necessary equipment, and even outdoor areas for grilling and playing. With activities nearby like hiking, biking, and even snow sports, these cabins are perfect for families who want to spend quality time together in a beautiful, natural setting.Whether you’re planning a weekend or a longer vacation, these cabins provide the perfect foundation for lasting memories.

Conclusion

Big bear lake cabins top lodges offer a diverse array of accommodations that perfectly blend comfort, charm, and adventure.Whether you prefer a rustic cabin nestled in the woods or a luxurious retreat with modern amenities,each lodges in big bear provides a unique way to experience the breathtaking beauty of the mountains. From lakeside serenity to convenient access to hiking trails and ski slopes, these lodges cater to every traveller’s dream escape.As you plan your next adventure,choose a california cabin rentals lodge that not only meets your needs but elevates your experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

[sa7abnews]

Edgehill fire in San Bernardino damages or destroys 4 homes, evacuations in place

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/06/edgehill-fire-in-san-bernardino-damages-or-destroys-4-homes-evacuations-in-place/

Edgehill fire in San Bernardino damages or destroys 4 homes, evacuations in place

At least four homes on Little Mountain in San Bernardino were damaged or destroyed in a fire Monday afternoon, Aug. 5, before firefighters managed to stop its progress, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said. An evacuation order — meaning people must leave immediately — was issued for residents on the south side of and south of Ridge Line Drive; residents on the north side and north of Edgehill Road west to and including Beverly Drive; and east to Circle Road, the San Bernardino County Fire Department said. The order remained in effect overnight while crews continued working to contain the blaze. Ridge Line Drive was reopened around 9 p.m. A firefighter watches from Edgehill Road as firefighters put out a brush fire that burned a house on Vista Drive in San Bernardino on Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Firefighters continue working as the Edgehill fire burns in the Little Mountain neighborhood of San Bernardino and forces evacuations on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Show Caption1 of 10A firefighter watches from Edgehill Road as firefighters put out a brush fire that burned a house on Vista Drive in San Bernardino on Aug. 5, 2024. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun) Expand An evacuation center was set up at Cajon High School, 1200 Hill Drive. A person of interest was detained in connection to the fire Monday evening but was later released, said San Bernardino Police Sgt. Christopher Gray. Further information on how the fire started was not immediately available. Investigators Monday night were assessing the scene to determine the origin of the fire and how it started. The fire was reported around 2:47 p.m. in the 3300 block of Beverly Drive. The initial report was 5 acres with a rapid rate of spread through light brush on a slope. Crews fighting the Edgehill fire faced 109-degree temperatures when they arrived and were being challenged by access to homes in the hill’s narrow roads, said fire department spokesperson Eric Sherwin. The flames were swept to the east by 8-10 mph winds. Sherwin said residents quickly moved out of the way of the blaze and the fire engines. “Here on Little Mountain, it’s much like a mountain community,” Sherwin said, “with narrow roads that can present access issues for our engine companies. They know when fire starts they need to get out.” Robert Christian, 26, was sitting in the living room of his I Street home when his 12-year-old brother Matthew Romero burst in and alerted him to the fire. Their home sits at the base of Little Mountain, which was ablaze. The family rushed outside and saw the flames moving swiftly from where they believed the fire started, at a power pole behind a home on Edgehill Road. “It just flew east,” Christian said. “It just started going crazy.” Leanna Romero, 16, said she heard a commotion near one of the first homes they believed burned. “I heard them scream, ‘Go, go, go,” she said. Palm, oak and pine trees, some 60 feet tall, are prevalent on the hill. Related Articles

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“I knew that once those trees went off, sparks were going to go everywhere,” Christian said. He estimated that the blaze traveled at least a mile within the first hour. The flames late Monday afternoon were most active on the southwest edge of the fire, Sherwin said. On Vista Drive, firefighters poured water on the smoldering remains of one or two homes while on the other side, up the hill, the flames were stopped mere feet short of two residences. Four homes had been damaged, with two of them destroyed, according to Fire Chief Martin Serna. Forward progress of the fire was stopped by 5:40 p.m. and it was measured at 54 acres, according to the fire department. “At this point, the fire is very much under control,” authorities said in an evening post on X. Moisture heading over the region would bring a chance for storms on Tuesday, though it was unlikely any rainfall would drop below the San Bernardino Mountains, according to National Weather Service Meteorologist Sam Zuber. “Unfortunately tomorrow is going to be hot, and a head advisory is in effect,” Zuber. “While there’s a slight chance for some sprinkles, its unlikely.” The cause of the fire was under investigation. This story is developing. Please check back for updates.  

[elsoldesantiago]

Un incendio forestal de rápido avance arrasa comunidad en California y obliga a evacuaciones

SAN BERNARDINO, California, EEUU , (VOA),- Varias casas ardieron el lunes cuando un incendio forestal de rápido avance quemó una comunidad en la ladera de una colina de California, lo que provocó evacuaciones mientras cientos de bomberos intentaban controlar el fuego. El incendio de Edgehill estalló en la cuadra 3300 de Beverly Drive en Little Mountain alrededor de las 2:40 pm, según los…

[thorsenmark]

Keys View on a Morning with a Mountain Setting by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: in Joshua Tree National Park while at Keys View with a view looking to the southwest across the mountain desert landscape present.

[into-the-center-of-things]

"beneath the cobalt, endless shades of blue shadow: haunted sands of time"

Day 0 went through places I was already familiar with: Fullerton, San Bernardino, and the desert (Victorville, Barstow, Needles) (I am only familiar with Barstow/Yermo but I've come to realize once you see one speck of Cali desert you've seen all of it...more on the deserts later...)

My luggage was huge and didn't fit quite right on the train, I realize now that the baggage requirements are an honor system thing. There was little room for my bag and it took a couple of nice people to help me find it a spot and to lug it up where it will stay until I arrive. We crammed it at the very top and pushed it in the small gap between the shelf and the ceiling. I'm kind of worried my bag will get stuck.

Once I boarded I realized the train was split between a troop of gangly Boy Scouts eager to backpack through New Mexico (who were the reason why the luggage situation was so airtight) and, well, the Amish (who sat catty corner to me and were on their way to South Bend from Modesto). Apparently they were aware of Luan and I making faces at each other before departure. I wonder what they thought of it.

Fullerton and Riverside were about 50 minutes apart. I filled up my water when we stopped at Riverside and came to the realization that the water dispensor is made for Dixie cups, not my murder weapon of a water bottle. So I had to fill up a teeny cup, dump it in my water bottle, rinse and repeat until full.

....There's got to be a better way to do this, right?

Anyways, I kept getting up and walking between the 3 coach cars of the train I had access to (including the observation car, which smelled like a bunch of pubescent 13 year old boys who were unaware that deodorant existed yet...) By the time I was there we had hit High Desert, California, meaning there wasn't a whole lot to look at. So I returned to my seat.

The coach cars got completely full at Victorville, I guess a lot of people are traveling from there. The conductors were scrambling to find room for their luggae since, as I mentioned before, the space was limited due to the backpackers.

Up until this point I had been sitting alone but a lady sat next to me, who said she was heading to Kansas City and had never taken the Amtrak before. She left shortly after I offered her some cherries, I think she wanted to sit in the observation car since I was sitting in the coveted window seat.

They turned off the lights at 10pm. I keep pressing my face against the glass to see the desert and its beyond creepy. The yawning mouth of the desert is unending, there are no houses or lights or signs or anything. I can make out mountain ranges and sand and scribbles of bushes and an occasional black snarl of a twisted tree. The tracks are glinting with the yellow sheen of the moon. Nothing else reflects its light. It's unsettling.

I keep thinking about the Jane Doe Barstow from about 10 years ago, whose head was found in a backpack. They never found her body or were able to identify her. Of course it'd be easy to do away with someone here. No one would hear you scream.

Last stop for the night is Needles, right at the border between California and Arizona. I went downstairs t see if they would let us off the train for a breather. Another girl had the same idea, she had electric blue hair and a lot of really cool piercings. She was heading to Kansas City, born and raised there, and was returning from visiting LA for the first time.

I imagine I will sleep through Kington and Flagstaff. My seat partner never came back so maybe she found herself a new seat. Means more room for me. Good night.

[velopalmsprings]

Segment Series - Thousand Palms Canyon Climb

Introduction Get ready for a challenging yet rewarding cycling adventure through the rocky desert landscape of Thousand Palms Canyon. This iconic 9-mile out-and-back climb takes you from the desert community of Thousand Palms up into the striking canyon scenery between the Santa Rosa and Little San Bernardino Mountains, gaining around 1,300 feet in elevation. Be awestruck by the palm trees,…

[cpbhomes]

[shahananasrin-blog]

[ad_1] BALDWIN LAKE, Calif. —  On trash day, they pillage residential garbage bins with the nonchalance of cruise ship passengers at a buffet.Along environmentally sensitive ponds and creeks, they gnaw vegetation to its root and pile manure along the shoreline.And at night, they wander onto darkened highways, paying little heed to oncoming traffic.For San Bernardino Mountains conservationists, the signs are all too clear: Big Bear Valley has a problem. “We have too many burros — more than we can manage,” said Julie Donnell, a regional wildlife biologist with the U.S. Forest Service. U.S. Forest Service biologist Julie Donnell drops a net to capture federally endangered unarmored threespine stickleback fish from a small alpine pond in the San Bernardino Mountains. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Wild burros, or asses have roamed the sagebrush fields and pine forests of this resort community for generations, and are directly descended from the domesticated donkeys that gold miners left behind more than a century ago.While homeowners and vacation rental managers have come to adore the furry equines as living symbols of Big Bear Valley’s rustic mountain heritage — as well as an attraction for eco-tourists who reward their heehaws with carrots — some biologists worry that their numbers have reached critical mass.With more than a hundred burros roaming the area, conservationists say the animals are starting to overwhelm struggling native species, as well as create a public safety threat for humans. The time is ripe, they say, to severely reduce the burro population with a roundup that is certain to be controversial. “I believe authorities should round them up and castrate the boys,” said Julie Moreau, founder of Grateful Heart Animal Sanctuary in eastern Big Bear Valley. “They shouldn’t wait until there are so many burros that vehicles are crashing into them,” she said.The image of the burro as a miner’s faithful beast of burden contrasts starkly with ecological reality, experts say. The animals breed prolifically, devour all manner of plants, distribute copious amounts of dung around waterways and associate people and cars with food. An aerial view of eastern Big Bear Valley, where burros pose a threat to plants and fish. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) In Big Bear Valley, burros pose the greatest threat to such rare and endangered species as Big Bear checkerbloom flowers, slender-petaled mustard plants, and the unarmored threespine stickleback fish. While not exactly charismatic — or even well known outside a community of biologists — the species are found only in the Big Bear Valley area, or other parts of the San Bernardino Mountains.Burro roundups have occurred here in the past, most recently in 1997 and 2007, but they have always left a few stragglers who proceeded to multiply. The burro control campaigns have also sparked anger and resentment among residents, who view the animals as part of local history, and not an invasive threat. For this reason, as well as lack of resources, proponents of a new burro roundup are pessimistic.“We lack the funding needed to deal with the exploding burro population,” Donnell said. “Will there be a remedy anytime soon? Absolutely not.” To the casual visitor, there are few signs of a problem. However, anecdotal reports of burros gnawing the latex paint off wood house trim, sauntering into neighborhoods on trash pickup days to sample the smorgasbord of urban discards, and wandering out into local highways to fight over territory and harems have increased in recent months.The burros stand about 4 feet tall at the shoulders and weigh about 450 pounds. Despite their pot bellies they are fast runners. They mature at about 4 years and have a life expectancy of more than 25 years.They run in bands of up to 30 with a male in charge. In battles over females, males bite each other on the ears, necks, and legs, then whirl their adversaries in a circle.State Route 38, one of the three main roads to Big Bear Lake, has become an impromptu outdoor theater. Last Friday, Kathy Bartlett, former editor of a local weekly newspaper, said she had to slam on the brakes to avoid colliding with “two male burros fighting in the middle of the road.”“They were rearing up on their hind legs,” she recalled, “as a half-dozen females calmly watched from the sidelines.” For years, vacation rental operations have advised their customers that the burros are wild animals, and that it was best to admire them from a distance.Michael Dolan, a local Realtor, recalled a 2006 incident in which a friend driving a brand new Lexus suffered a neck injury after colliding with a burro on State Route 38 after dark. A week later, while driving a replacement Lexus provided by her insurance company, she collided with another burro along the same stretch of road.“She was OK, but the donkey had to be put down,” he said.Moreau, of the animal sanctuary, said it’s stories like this that make her feel action needs to be taken, though she has great empathy for the animals. “I’m passionate about burros; they are my spirit animals,” she said.While she doesn’t have a state permit to take in wild animals including burros, she said she always leaves some water and hay out for a trio she described as “a beat-up warrior and his little band of mavens — one of which, I’ll bet you, is going to be pregnant real soon.”The environmental impacts of the growing burro population are most apparent in the vicinity of spring-fed ponds and creeks in the Baldwin Lake Watershed, which is home to the stickleback and species of plants that are found nowhere else.Scientists say that burros wallow, graze and trample north Baldwin Lake’s complex of 12 sensitive pebble plains: flat expanses of quartzite pebbles created by receding glaciers that support rare butterflies and 17 protected plant species, most of them miniature in stature.The federally endangered Bear Valley sandwort, Ash-gray Indian paintbrush, and southern mountain wild-buckwheat are no match for the cascading impacts of soil disturbances caused by burros on the move. Scientists say their activities alter soil composition and increase erosion, which allows weeds to colonize and multiply, robbing low-lying pebble plain species of water and sunlight.Baldwin Lake is also an area that contains some of the only affordable undeveloped land left in the Big Bear Lake area, the western half of which is a congested resort community serving the 10 million people who live within a two-hour drive. In response, conservationists have bought property and, in some cases, blocked development in an effort to preserve what remains of an ecosystem born of glaciers retreating from the 20-mile-long Big Bear Valley more than 15,000 years ago. Tim Krantz, conservation director Wildland Conservancy, photographs wildflowers in eastern Big Bear Valley. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) A recent visit to a pond at Shay Creek meadows “revealed extensive damage caused by the burros,” said Tim Krantz, a retired biology professor and former San Bernardino County planning commissioner. “At least 35 of them had cleared the once lush green meadow vegetation down to dirt. Piles of burro dung ringed the shore, spurring growth of a thick layer of algae,” he said.The whole area, he said, reeked like a septic pool.As a condition of a special use permit to collect water for municipal purposes, Big Bear City Community Services District is contractually obligated to maintain barbed wire fences and water flows at Shay Creek, where the stickleback were discovered in 1981. They have done little to deter burros, however.Under such circumstances, Krantz and others have reasoned that if the burros cannot be removed, the stickleback have to be relocated for their own safety. Federal wildlife biologist Julie Donnell, front, and Karen Castaneda hold traps used to capture endangered unarmored threespine stickleback fish. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Earlier this month, Krantz visited a stickleback translocation effort that he helped to organize. A team of state and federal biologists clad in waders and armed with long-handled nets and fish traps baited with blue cheese moved sticklebacks from an alpine pond to “burro-free” Bluff Lake, which is privately owned by The Wildlands Conservancy, about 10 miles away.The 200 sticklebacks transported to Bluff Lake joined 74 captive-bred endangered Southern California yellow-legged frogs released there in June as part of an effort to “re-wild” historic haunts where the species have not been seen — or heard — in more than seven decades.“This project has been a long time coming,” Krantz said with a smile. “A year from now, these reintroduced sticklebacks and yellow-legged frogs are going to be the kings of beasts at Bluff Lake.” [ad_2]