Welcome to Idyllwild Stories!
Every mountain town has its tales—some heartwarming, some hilarious, some just plain Idyllweird. This is where we collect them.
Got a memory, a run-in with wildlife, a near-disaster on the mountain, or a random moment that captures the spirit of this strange and wonderful place? Send it in! True stories only… or not. We’re not checking.
All submissions will be reviewed and may be lightly edited for clarity, length, or language. Stories that target or single out others won’t be published.
The Fox at Window Rock
June 21,2025
I hike Southridge early. Real early. Before most people are up. I like it that way. I go for the quiet, not the exercise. There’s something about being alone in the woods that steadies me.
About halfway up, there’s a spot where the trail splits a little. You veer right, just a bit, and you hit Window Rock. The canyon drops off behind it, and if you get there early enough, the light hits the ridge across the way like it’s waking up on purpose.
That’s where the fox was. Sitting inside the rock’s hollow like it belonged there. Just staring at me. Didn’t move.
Next day, same thing. Same fox. Same spot.
Third day, again. This time, it looked away first.
I haven’t seen it since.
Not saying it meant anything. Just that I felt... seen. In a good way. Or maybe in a way I needed.
That part of the trail feels different now. Like it remembers.
—J.
Rebecca with the Familiar Voice: That Time Barbara Hershey Almost Bought a House
I’d been speaking to this woman named Rebecca on the phone for a few weeks. She didn’t say much about herself, but she called often—always warm, always personable. The thing is, I recognized her voice. I just couldn’t place it.
Then one day, I was driving through Sage—a rural community in the hills below Idyllwild. There was a fire burning nearby, so we were all on alert. She called again while I was on the road. I finally said, “Your voice sounds so familiar to me!”
That’s when she told me who she was: Barbara Hershey.
I’m not the starstruck type, so I just said, “I knew I recognized your voice!”
Eventually, she came up the hill to see some properties. She was down to earth—genuinely curious and engaged. I drove her around in my old Ford Escape (not exactly luxury), and she asked so many questions. She wanted to know all about me, about my daughter… everything. My daughter was at summer camp that day at Town Hall, and Barbara insisted we stop by. She really wanted to see what a small-town kids’ day camp looked like.
So we walked in. I didn’t introduce her to anyone, but the staff definitely recognized her—everyone sort of froze.
What I remember most? She was absolutely appalled that I hadn’t seen her boyfriend’s movie, The English Patient. She kept digging, trying to understand why.
Finally, I said, “Look, I’m a single parent trying to run a business. I just don’t have time to go to the movies.”
She wasn’t satisfied with that answer.
She didn’t end up buying a home. Said the drive from L.A. wasn’t pretty enough—even though Idyllwild is stunning. When she called to let me know, she also said I’d been a gracious host that day, which I appreciated.
She was lovely, truly—and it was fun to spend the day with such a big movie star.
—T.R.
June 21, 2025