Kimberley K.
Yelp
Stepping aboard the Arrowhead Queen, excitement filled me as I prepared for the ride across Lake Arrowhead. I knew that I was stepping into an experience that would be VERY touristy in every sense of the word and I was right about that. Listening to stories about the extravagant history of famous celebrities, rock stars, and robber barons. The houses lining the lake's edge are as overwrought/overdone/elaborate/extreme as Hearst Castle with a lot more technological add ons here and there. Standard features in these homes are Elevators from the bottom floor (garage) all the way to the top balcony, Escalators, Escape Rooms, boat ramps and oversized boats.
Lake Arrowhead is of course, an exclusive enclave, strictly controlled by the Arrowhead Lake Association, limiting access to only registered boats and individuals. For ordinary people like me, the shoreline view or a water ski lesson is about as close as you are going to get.... other than this boat ride on the Arrowhead Queen. (ps: it's funny that the owners here even allow this since everything is so controlled.)
The tour's speaker regaled us with tales of the lavish lives led by wealthy residents. Names mentioned: Gene Hackman, Michelle Branch, Michael J. Fox, Ashley Tisdale, Terry Bradshaw, and Phil Mickelson... every house, of course had someone "interesting" living there and and plenty of stories of crime, grandeur and excess.
Among the intriguing anecdotes, I learned about Charlie Chaplin's former house, purchased by Doris Day and she had to bulletproof the walls, windows, and doors for her own safety. The persons name (or corporation) that owns this house now... I forget the name...sorry. Such grand mansions surely hide numerous secrets, escape rooms for the privileged, elevators from the belly of the earth to the top parapet of the castle. I'm really not surprised. . .
As I disembarked, I couldn't help but feel a mix of awe and reflection. The vast contrast between this world of abundance and my own life left me questioning my sense of self. Witnessing the splendor of the wealthy has stirred a complex contemplation of life's true worth and fulfillment...