I was born and raised in Orange County. Some of my best childhood memories were visiting my grandparents in the Eastern Sierras — in Walker, California, 70 miles north of Mammoth. I’m blessed with the love and support of my wife and our four children, who are independently making headway into their adult lives.

After a lifetime living in Southern California, my wife, our youngest son, and I came to Mammoth for a weekend getaway...