Rim Nordic Ski Area Celebrates Its 27th Anniversary Rim Nordic Ski Area, Inc., located five miles west of Running Springs on Hwy 18, just across the street from Snow Valley Mt. Resort, begins its 27th season of cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing activities. Owners Bev and Kerry Brown, avid downhill skiers as well, began the resort with the hopes of introducing the southern California population to another sport not inherently known in this area. This is the only cross-country ski area with machined-groomed trails in southern California. Bev and Kerry are members of the Cross-Country Ski Areas Association, a North American organization that promotes the sport. Because snowmaking is not available at Rim Nordic, waiting for mother nature has been difficult some years. Brainstorming year to year was just part of the operating plan. In 1994, Kerry was racing his mountain bike often in Big Bear. He decided the trails at Rim Nordic were just right for mountain biking and so was born Rim Nordic Racing. They have hosted cross country, Super D, Enduro and downhill mountain bike events as well as other viable options, including summer trail runs, winter biathlons, TV commercials, soap operas scenes, and The History Channel stories. Rim Nordic hosted California State Senior Winter Games for over 10 years. It hosted the Western States Fire & Police Games mountain biking events twice. A TV commercial for the U.S. Coast Guards using its mountain bike trails was a fun endeavor. Now home to the annual Pine Cone Festival in October, a lot continues to happen at the site. Rim Nordic Ski Area sits at an elevation of 6,775 ft., providing skiers with 10 miles of groomed, track-set trails. The grooming is considered world class since Kerry has been grooming with his Kassbohrer Piston Bullys just like the larger ski areas for these past 25 years. He grooms for classic xc skiing as well as skating. Snow-shoeing is unlimited as one can snowshoe beside the skiers or venture out into the untracked forest wilderness. The rental shop, snack bar and retail shop are located at the base of the ski trails. The parking lot is right off Hwy 18, plowed when necessary for skier parking. Ski lessons are available for all levels of skiers on weekends. Learn-to-Ski packages are especially popular, which includes lesson, equipment and trail pass—a great way to begin your cross-country experience. No lessons required for snow-shoeing.... just like hiking. Rentals available for skiing and snow-shoeing. Bev and Kerry say cross-country skiing gets a “bad rap” for being considered hard to do. Yes, it can be a great workout, and also the best aerobic fitness activity in the world. But they comment that it is easy to learn and you can go at your own pace, and crowds—what crowds? Used or new equipment as well as gifts, clothing, hats, etc. are available for purchase at the ski area. The retail shop is open only during ski season or during the summer season at the mountain bike park…. check for hours and days…. but you can call or email, and Bev would be glad to meet you there by appointment. The Facebook site (Rim Nordic Ski Area, Inc) is growing fast and Kerry is now posting his videos from the summer mountain bike season on YouTube as well at rimnordic.com. Against All Odds by Sandi Huckaby One could argue that Monarch butterflies are the most intriguing creatures in this hemisphere. Their epic migration - lasting multiple generations, beginning in Mexico and California, then making its way up to Ontario, Canada — is a phenomenon like no other. How do they know? If they are the third generation in the middle of this migration, how do they know to keep heading northeast instead of coming home and heading southwest? And each time they mate they have to find milkweed to lay their eggs on so that their caterpillar offspring will have milkweed to eat. But what if there is no milkweed? It is no wonder that their numbers are dwindling thanks to the use of deadly pesticides all along their route. So when we discovered that the nursery in Rim Forest was selling milkweed plants, I bought one for our community garden in Green Valley <strong>Lake</strong>, and my friend Jean bought two to plant in her flower garden. We were hoping that if the Monarchs are smart enough to find their way to Canada and back, maybe, just maybe, they could find their way up 7000 feet to the San Bernardino <strong>Mountain</strong>s and our three little milkweed plants. About a month went by and Jean called me very excited that indeed there was a Monarch butterfly checking out her plant. For several days that week it kept coming back. Then sure enough, about a month later, there was a caterpillar munching on the leaves of her milkweed. She brought it inside, plant and all, because she was afraid birds would eat it. Like any good foster mom, she kept checking on it to make sure it had enough to eat, calling the Monarch hotline and scouring the internet for more information. Just like clockwork, the caterpillar formed its cocoon and again we all marveled at how amazing this whole process was and –”can you believe it!—it’s all happening right here in little old Green Valley <strong>Lake</strong>! Wow!” All we had to do now was wait two weeks and then she would emerge from her cocoon a fully formed butterfly. The anticipation was killing us. Two weeks went by and nothing happened. Then three weeks. Nothing. We all were sure something had gone wrong and she was never going to come out. A cold, high altitude town, after all, was not suitable Monarch habitat. But Jean didn’t want to throw the cocoon away because its lovely jade green color with its tine gold band was so pretty to look at. Then on the 28th day, a full two weeks longer than normal, there she was---she had emerged after all when all hope was lost; her beautiful black, white, and orange wings were so magnificent. But something was wrong. Jean tried to feed her sugar water, but she wasn’t taking it. Yet another frantic phone call to the hotline and the advice was to spray her with a little water as if it were raining. That helped, but she still wasn’t flying. One wing tip had folded over which meant her wings were not symmetrical. So the advice on the other end of the hotline was to clip her other wing so they would match. By this time there were four foster moms hovering around the table. The bravest held the two wings in place and performed “the operation” with baited breath. By this time so much had been invested in this precious creature that we couldn’t imagine sending it out into the cold, windy, cruel world. It’s mid-October. What will she find to eat this late in the year? What if she freezes? That is when BJ and Lyle volunteered to drive her down to Palm Desert where it’s warm and there are lots of flowers blooming. So we made our goodbyes and off they went. Once there, BJ took her out of the box, set her gingerly on a flower, and watched her fly away. Success. Bittersweet, but a success nonetheless. Get Ready for Winter As the leaves change color and the days become cooler and shorter, we all know winter is on its way. Now is a great time to get ready for winter by checking on emergency supplies in your vehicle while also making sure your home is prepared for the season as well. With forecasters calling for an El Nino weather pattern, the San Bernardino <strong>Mountain</strong>s could see significant snowfall if the forecast holds true. It’s also time to get ready for the ski and snowboard winter season. The local ski areas normally open by Thanksgiving. Our local area saw its first snowfall on October 13. While the populated areas of the San Bernardino National Forest saw moderate to heavy rainfall at times, the higher peaks received a dusting of snow. Whether you’re an avid skier or snowboarder or a newbie, one of the best ways to prepare for the snow season is to visit one of the lo- Jamie & Lisa Houck 909-384-2612 (c) BRE: 01296732 & 02005271 A dusting of snow on the San Bernardino Peak area taken October 14 from the top of Snow Valley <strong>Mountain</strong> Resort. Photo by Kevin Somes by Kevin Somes, Vice President & General Manager, Snow Valley Mtn. Resort cal ski shows. The SnowJam show in Del Mar is being held November 9-11 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Ski Dazzle is scheduled for November 16-18 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Both of these ski shows offer many exhibitors including ski areas, winter products plus adventure activities such as rock-climbing walls. Additionally, the shows are also a great place to save on hardgoods such as ski and snowboard equipment plus clothing as well as essentials such as gloves and socks. Snow Valley is getting ready for winter and plans to open for its 81st season in November. Be sure to watch for pre-season specials on lift tickets and be sure to check out the all new Anytime Snow Pass offers access to not just Snow Valley, but several other ski resorts around the country. Think Snow! Why RENT when you can BUY? Our Team Working Hard For You! www.topproducersrealty.com Deals Across the <strong>Mountain</strong>! Running Springs $239,999 - This mountain cabin is tucked away on a secluded street in the heart of Running Springs. Enter into the first level with two bedrooms. The second floor features a living room with vaulted ceilings and fireplace, full bathroom, open kitchen area with eat in dining. A deck is off of the living room with great mountain views. The 3rd floor has the master bed and full bathroom. Access to a sun room from the 3rd floor. New carpet through out the home. Lots of potential to make this your mountain retreat getaway Arrowbear $144,999 This cute rustic cabin is located close to HWY 18 and Snow Valley Ski Resort. Enter into a small fenced court yard. Main door entry into the living room with wood burning stove. Small sunny deck off of living room. Cozy kitchen, eat in dining and back door access to court yard area. Main level bedroom, full bath and laundry off of kitchen area. Downstairs has the 2nd bedroom and build up area access. Storage unit is located front side of the house. <strong>Crestline</strong> $299,900 Beautiful 3 bedroom home with amazing views of the trees below and a peek of <strong>Lake</strong> Gregory. Watch 4th of July fireworks off of your deck! Level entry. Recently remodeled kitchen, laminate floors and interior paint. Nice open floor plan with vaulted ceilings on main level plus 1/2 bath. 3 bedroom, two bath on second floor. Laundry and bonus room on third floor, currently a work out room. Jaime Stiansen 909-261-5205 (c) BRE: 02040272 Page 4 <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Lifestyle</strong> (C) November 2018 November 2018 <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Lifestyle</strong> (C) Page 5