In the summer, guests sometimes struggle to find a nicer home, like ours, that also provides a pool. Because of the climate and short summer season, pools are not very common at private, smaller, upscale complexes or homes.

But the good news is that if you want more than the hot tubs provided with our rentals, there are plenty of places  in and around Mammoth Lakes to dip your toes in water -- and even put your booty in the sand.

The fishing wasn't great, but the views were fine.

I know, I know. You've finally exited the 395 and the last thing you want to do before you start your vacation is to stop the car and have to collect the kids, the dogs, and the 

So, Big Pine is a small town with some Big Problems. I've shared that in an article on our companion blog, Glam on the Lam. You can (and if you plan to spend much time in Big Pine you should) read that here. 

But there's some good, easily accessible, high-yield fishing if you know where to go.

So, I can't say this hike is necessarily easy. In fact, it isn't. But at least it is short-- and it is totally, completely worthwhile. In fact, it may be the best pain to pleasure ratio in all the hikes we've done.

​Families who are Mammoth regulars know how that the Adventure Center is a mecca of fun activities for kids with its rock wall, bungee tramp and pint-sized zipline.

Not only that, but its the portal to the Gondola Scenic tours, and vast hiking areas of the San Joaquin river areas, Devil's Postpile and Red's Meadow. Starting this summer, there are lots of new reasons to haul the littles up to the Center for easy-to-access activities. ​

Ok, call me a tacky tourist, Ugly American, whatever. But its safe to say that my kids are counting the days until the uber-tacky Mammoth Mega Zip zipline opens.

​And its not just my kids. I CAN NOT WAIT to try this myself with The Husband riding right next to me.