Welcome to Barstow
Cheery folks early in the morning
Dining car
Water tower
Two redheads
After a short jog south on I-15, we followed Sherm's white Accord west on California 58 to Kramer Junction where we turned north on US 395. Eventually, the Sierra Nevada Mountains grew gradually out of the desert to our left. We followed the edge of the range to Lone Pine, where we stopped at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center of the Inyo National Forest. By now, the higher mountains were showing some snow on top.
Desert along California 58
Kramer Junction
US 395 North
FAA Radar - former air force station and federal prison camp
The best I can determine is that these signs mark a buried utility
Mountains just spring out of the desert
Heavy rescue at work
No idea how he tipped the semi over
I think they lynched the bike
They really seem to like jerky here
No idea what this is
Give me land, lots of land.......
Boondocking
This was a different formation
Lava wall
Lava beds but no visible volcano
This looked like a huge pule of dirt
.....Don't fence me in
Not going this way today
We now see trees on the mountains
Mountains to the east of us
Snow appears on the Sierras
Again to the east across the valley
The Visitor Center at Lone Pine was interesting. There was a big picture window featuring Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the lower 48 United States. I have seen several reported heights above sea level varying from 14,494 feet to 14,505. They also had some exhibits related to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, including a topographical model, and a piece of the Los Angeles aqueduct pipe that delivered clear mountain waters to the big city.
Welcome to Lone Pine
Eastern Sierra Visitor Center
Model of the Sierra Nevadas
Where we are headed today
The tiny Topaz Lake in the centre will be rally central
They had a piece of huge pipe that had been part of the aqueduct transporting clean mountain water to Los Angeles. Around the turn of the 20th Century, this had been delivered to the site by mule team and positioned by hand.
Story about the aqueduct pipe
It was not small
Photographing Mount Whitney
Mount Whitney is in the back middle
Close up in the centre of the photo
The path points right at it
We left Lone Pine at about 11:15 AM. The temperature was 92 F and the locals were commenting on how unusually cool it was.
Sagebrush and snow
CHP escort for a little tracked vehicle
We get closer to and farther from the big mountains
Dust devil
Courthouse - Independence California
More lava - no volcano visible
Single lane while they tar and chip the highway
Putting down the oil
Rolling the gravel
Bishop California - another nice little town
In Bishop, we decided to stop for lunch. They had a nice looking bakery/cafe but it was very crowded. Not surprising, because it was lunch time. We settled for Denny's and probably shouldn't have. This Denny's was slow at the counter and the bathrooms were not anywhere near up to standard.
Daily driver
No room for a future dad
Just migrating deer?
This was a nice service after a long climb to Sherman Pass (7,000 feet)
Living off the grid right next to a US Highway
We stopped for some photos of a lake. The water from the mountains ran under the highway and was still feeding it. Down by the lake shore, there was a herd of black cows.
Runoff water was still bubbling (babbling)?
The black specks are cows
Mammoth Yosemite Airport
Many hangars
Mammoth Lakes is a few miles off US 395
We arrived at the Travelodge in Mammoth Lakes about 2:00 PM. The vistas and the 7,900 foot elevation took our breath away. I had called ahead and asked about an early check in, so they allowed us to get our key right away. The hotel was older, but the room was clean and the staff was friendly. The fellow on the desk had no problem splitting our bill between two credit cards. They also had a cavernous underground parking garage.
Good warning for another season
We went for a drive looking for supper and found the Good Life Cafe. They had an interesting menu. Sherm stuck to his regimen with a large Cobb salad while Sandy coerced me into splitting a Monte Cristo sandwich. That was wrong in several ways. Bread and white icing sugar. But it was good.
Back at the room, I sorted the photos from the day and transcribed my notes, but went to bed without writing the story to go with it. That's what tomorrow is for.
Today's Route (255 Equinox miles):
1 comment:
Interesting McDonalds and beautiful scenery.
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