Grandma's Brag Book

This is our Avellar family: Tim, Anne Marie, Grayson (18), and Garrett (15). Garrett is our football star. Grayson is our college student. It's fun to be near them during the winter.

Happy New Year. Come to see us.

Have we mentioned that we are about seven miles from Highway 41 which is the gateway to Yosemite Park? Have we also mentioned that Yosemite is gorgeous this time of year? Have we mentioned that visiting Millerton Lake in the winter is a way to avoid the crowds? Come to see us.

Photos of Yosemite and Millerton sunset taken by Dan Miller, Irvine, CA.

Merry Christmas to all from us Bears.

Scenes of Christmas Day 2008

Around Millerton Lake

The Avellar boys bring their friends to Millerton for a campfire and hike.


Sunset in winter at Millerton Lake

The Weekend at Millerton

Big bass tournament here this weekend. Lots of boats, campers, families.


Junior rangers getting their badges from "Ranger Dan." They were collecting trash.

Millerton Lake 2008-2009 Season

We're back at Millerton Lake for our sixth season as winter camphosts. We even had friends here waiting for us that first weekend. There were friends from San Jose and friends from Madera.

I was back east (Virginia) for my mom's funeral. Karen went also from Washington State. It was a wonderful time with family. She died peacefully on October 28, 2008 in the evening. Her heart just gave out. Lots of friends and family came to honor her.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch (uh, lake) Bear was holding the fort. He told everyone I'd be back on Monday. So this weekend both couples showed up again. Fun! This is a beautiful place. No, it doesn't get really cold here in winter. Remember, we are where the oranges grow on trees. Really! So if the oranges don't freeze, we don't either.