Every year, we spend one weekend in December in Big Bear, California to experience the joys of snow and cold in the mountains. Last year, we chose a typical hotel in the village center for our stay and while we had a fantastic weekend, we wanted something a little more rustic this year. I found the newly reopened Noon Lodge at Mallard Bay and it was the ideal blend of rustic charm with village access. It’s only a little over a mile to the village center yet it’s situated on a lake with fireplaces indoors and out. It was exactly what we needed.  Continue reading →