Big Bear

I bought this one here, in southern California, so I'm going to go out on a limb and state that this photo was taken at Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains.

Big Bear Lake and the town of the same name are wholly surrounded by San Bernardino National Forest.  The lake was the first true year round resort in California.  During the summer, it's fishing, swimming, and water skiing, and during the winter, if it snows, certainly something that's no longer guaranteed, skiing.  And of course, it's a base for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking.

The name Big Bear wasn't some developer's fancy.  It came from the large number of grizzly bears that were once found along the lake shore.  Grizzly bears, the California state animal, and central image of the state flag and seal are no longer found in California, long ago hunted out.  From time to time, the National Park Service floats a plan to reintroduce them in the high Sierra parks, Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia.  An idea that hasn't been embraced in communities adjacent to the parks.

Big Bear has also been used as a setting for many Hollywood movies and TV shows.  My personal recommendation,  Flesh and the Devil with Greta Garbo.  Yes, I am aware that few people share my love of silent movies, but every so often I hope for a conversion.

Really like the photographers foot in the lower right corner.  It beats the far more common thumb.