Lake Arrowhead, Again

Samuel views the vista at Lake Arrowhead

Another year, another MSTP conference at Lake Arrowhead!  Samuel and I tagged along with Steven to the conference on Halloween weekend.  Steven is an advisor and we're guests. Lodging, and a complimentary UC Irvine Medical Scientists Training Program beach blanket, were all included.
Last time we came, the lake was completely socked in and it was cold enough to see your breath. This year, it was practically balmy, so we took the East Lake loop trail along the lake and admired all the mansions and elaborate docks.  The receptionist at the UCLA Lake Arrowhead Conference Center, where we are staying, informed us that most of the homes in the area are vacation homes.  All that square footage remains sadly unoccupied throughout much of the year.

The North Shore Tavern, circa 1932, before it became UCLA's Lake Arrowhead Conference Center

Lake Arrowhead, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains, was a getaway for L.A. celebrities in the 1920s through the 1950s.  You took a boat across the water from Lake Arrowhead Village to the North Shore Tavern (pictured above) for some R&R.  In a fit of philanthropy, the tavern and surrounding acreage was offered gratis to the University of California in 1957.  UC accepted.  The tavern is now the main lodge where conference goers can listen to lectures on topics like "accurate diagnosis of sepsis" while catching a glimpse of the lake.  At night, you can snuggle up in one of the 42 "condolets" which come with sleeping lofts and a fireplace.  Cut wood is conveniently provided just outside your door.  WiFi (photo below) and electric vehicle charging stations round out the amenities.

Steven ignores nature and tends to his smartphone.