Weekend in Big Bear

A few weeks ago, the weekend of April 21-22, Gerry and I visited Big Bear.  The main reason for our getaway was to attend the memorial service of our dear friend, Herb Drury.  Herb died on Christmas day, 2011 at the age of 82 years.  The Memorial Service was held Saturday April 21st.  It was a lovely service.


June 2005 with Herb & Sherry in Big Bear, (Herb's back yard)

I have known Herb for 26 years.  Gerry knew him for even longer.  Herb was a person who lived life to the fullest.  He graduated with honors from Dartmouth College, with a degree in Biology.  He was also on the ski-jump team at Dartmouth.  Herb enjoyed skiing and was an avid skiier up until the year he died.  In the 1950s, as a young man, Herb was part of a crew that captured musk ox in the Arctic. Their adventure was featured in an article in Life Magazine. 

Herb loved life and certainly lived his life to its fullest.  He was a true nature lover, he fly-fished way back when, before it became the yuppie thing to do.  He also was a hiker and hunter.  Herb never missed the opportunity of an outdoor adventure. 

I have many fond memories of Herb.   Over the years we hiked and camped together on several occasions.  We shared many exciting adventures together.  Herb was with us on a memorable river raft trip on the Gunnison Gorge, in western Colorado, near Olathe.  Olathe is the town know for its sweet corn.  We stocked up on groceries in Olathe before we got on the river. The 8 of us on the raft trip tried to decide how much corn to purchase.  Most of us said we would be good for 2 ears of corn; realizing you can work up quite an appetite on a rafting trip!  Herb asked to be allotted 6 ears of corn.  I'll never forget our campside dinner.  Everyone else was long done eating and Herb was contentedly  munching away on his half a dozen ears of corn!  He certainly had a hearty appetite - both for food and for an exciting life.   He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  R.I.P. dear friend.

April 22, 2012-  In Big Bear, thinking of Herb

A beautiful day for a Hike!

Gerry and I went on a lovely hike the day after the Memorial Service.  We don't visit Big Bear very often; and I know whenever I am in Big Bear I will think of Herb.