| Above: Delilah and Morris Lopez were
married at StarGazers Inn by Pastor John
Day. Below: Pastor Day, an
aerospace scientist, explained the
location of the planets and showed
the couple Ring Nebula at a Star
Party
a day before the wedding ceremony.
Los Angeles
Southern California Elopement - Big Bear Lake
Mountain Resort
WHERE THE STARS SHINE AT BIG BEAR LAKE
By Debbie Stock
One of the best kept secrets in Big Bear
Lake is where the stars hang out in the sky and on the
ground. (side bar story to
You Deserve a
Big Bear Break)
 StarGazers
Inn & Observatory is a romantic getaway secluded among
the tall pines, under the clear, star-lit skies. It’s
becoming a favorite for entertainers, elopers and star
enthusiasts, who appreciate the privacy and personalized
presentations by NASA and other scientists prior to an
evening of incredible stargazing through a telescope.
You never know who you’re going to run
into at the friendly, unique inn. Recently, an eloping
couple’s wedding was about to begin on the deck under
the stars. We decided to stick around and watch the
wedding and chatted with a stranger visiting the inn who
turned out to be Musician David Longoria (his current
hit, “Deeper Love” was climbing the Jazz Charts). We
asked if he would play in the wedding. “Absolutely,”
said the musician who has performed with Sting, Aretha
Franklin and BB King. He grabbed his trumpet and played
the wedding processional as the bride walked onto the
deck. It was a magic Big Bear moment. David is the kind
of friendly person you find at the inn.
Even Pastor John Day, who eloquently wed
the couple—Morris & Delilah—knew how to awe guests, as
we found out later. Day, a Caltech physics grad, not
only performed wedding ceremonies at the inn, he also
conducted provocative Star Parties hosted by Innkeeper
Doreen Wiggins. Propelled by a love of space, she
created the bed and breakfast inn with a unique
spin—it’s very own observatory.
With star-themed rooms that include
candlelit Jacuzzis and an indoor heated swimming pool,
guests enjoy yummy morning meals made from scratch,
evening wine receptions and free refreshments in the
help-yourself kitchen.
If your interest is in astronomy, the
Stargazers Inn is one fantastic stop in the Universe
where Doreen Wiggins makes everyone feel like a star!
Debbie Stock and Craig MacDonald are travel
journalists whose work has appeared in Sunset Magazine, Los
Angeles Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, Orange Country
Register and numerous other publications. Debbie Stock owns
California Travel News publications and is currently lending a hand to produce a book on
San Jose, California. Craig MacDonald writes a column
for Sierra Heritage magazine.
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