My second summer vacation with the kids was a week-long adventure at Big Bear between July 16 and July 23. I could probably fill a book with the stories and lessons learned from this trip, but a simple blog entry will do for now :)

Kayaking on Big Bear Lake

The kayaking trip started on a chaotic note with the kids going a bit crazy at the kayaking store, grabbing random items, and even getting into a fight. By the time we reached the boat, my son was uncooperative with the kayaking guide and avoiding eye contact. Luckily, my daughter stepped up, helping him put on his life jacket, and soon, we were finally on the water.

My daughter and I successfully set out rowing on the lake in our three-person boat, with my son in the middle. However, once out on the lake, my not-so-great sense of direction got us lost. The situation grew tense as it became darker and windier, making it nearly impossible to move. Frustration got the best of me, and I even started cursing out loud (which I later apologized to my kids for). But then, I decided to pause and fully embrace the beauty around me. With the wind gently rocking our boat and keeping it steady on the water, it felt like we were floating in a serene, timeless moment.

After a few minutes though, I realized I had no choice but to shout for help, much to my daughter's embarrassment. In response, she started throwing popcorn at me and even taking swings at me with her paddle to try and silence me. Thankfully, I dodged her swings and continued calling out. Twenty minutes later, a boat arrived to rescue us—someone had heard me and called for help! The boat ride back to shore was exhilarating and the best part of the trip, and tears of gratitude streamed down my face as we finally reached safety. The kayaking guide kindly waived the late fee, reassured me that I was a good mom, and promised to keep us in his prayers—a touching gesture that seemed to work, as I felt much better later that night.

The greatest takeaway from this trip was realizing I no longer had to worry about getting lost while kayaking or hiking. With apps like Strava, MapMyFitness, Go Paddling, or Paddle Logger, I could easily track my route and stay on course.

Scenic Sky Chair

Another highlight of Big Bear was the Scenic Sky Chair ride at Snow Summit, a 15-minute journey that took us high into the mountains, offering spectacular views along the way. I was grateful that my son wasn’t scared at all during this ride.

We planned to take a leisurely hike at the top, but I mistakenly chose the wrong trail, turning what should have been a simple, scenic hike into a much more challenging trek. The trail took us all the way down the mountain and then back up again.

Surprisingly, the kids enjoyed the hike, but I wasn’t so lucky. I wore the wrong shoes, and my heavy backpack didn’t help. At one point, I started crying because my feet hurt so much. My daughter once again stepped up, offering to carry my backpack and even swapping shoes with me, a moment that made me very proud of her.

We cut the hike a little short, hiked back up to the top, and ate a delicious lunch at the Skyline Taphouse, which offered stunning views and a tasty vegetarian Mediterranean wrap.

The clear lesson here is to always choose the correct trail from now on. I won’t be making that mistake again!

Bowling Barn

Bowling Barn was a total hit! The lively atmosphere, with music videos and welcoming staff, made a really fun experience. We even got to snap photos of our faces, which were then used to create silly videos on the big screens. The trivia games were a bonus, adding to the fun. Bowling is an excellent activity for special needs children as it incorporates grounding, hand-eye coordination, and positive social interaction into one engaging experience. After bowling, the kids loved playing with the claw machines and arcade games.

Alpine Slide

My daughter had a blast on the Alpine Slide, a sled ride where you steer down a smooth, winding concrete track while viewing amazing scenery of the surrounding mountains. My son really gave it a try but eventually decided against it, although I made sure to praise him for his effort.

North Beach

At North Beach, the kids waded into the water to splash around and cool off. It was a relaxing way to spend a few hours.

Alpine Zoo

The Alpine Zoo offered a pleasant experience for the kids, who loved seeing the live bears. 

Our Favorite Places to Eat

• Masala Craft: The kids enjoyed dining here. They even played the video of one of my favorite bhangra songs,“Bijlee Bijlee” .
• Sonora Mexican: This was a great restaurant that had beautiful ambience, delicious vegan tacos, and a friendly staff.

Conclusion

I was very proud of myself for completing the entire Big Bear trip. As I was checking out of my Airbnb, a thunderstorm rolled in, almost as if it were celebrating my accomplishment! After our Big Bear adventure, I felt far more confident traveling solo with my kids. Our bond grew stronger, and I felt well-prepared for our next trip to San Diego. I learned to let go of rigid expectations and adapt to whatever came our way. I was also proud of how we managed to keep the trip mostly iPad-free.

If my kids and I can handle an adventure like this, you can too! Life is too short not to embrace adventures, especially with your children. Just go for it!