Wednesday, October 17, 2007I
t’s been an interesting couple of days. Yesterday, we drove ten miles south to Convict Lake. I found a guide to local fall color along Highway 395 (thank you internet), and there are many places listed that we’ve never been to. Our focus in the area has always been Mono Lake, but now we’re exploring some of the canyons that go west into the Sierras. Convict Lake (no, we don’t know why it’s named that) is a pretty lake with some aspens a little past their prime. We decided to walk around part of the lake, and our peaceful walk was disturbed by a couple behind us on the narrow trail, who talked continuously. They told us they had been staying at the lake for four days and loved it. I couldn’t understand how they could still be talking continuously after four days. They were fishing when we passed them further up the trail, and were still talking away. After they scared away all the fish near that area, they moved on to another one. I know some people think I talk a lot, but I’m a virtual mute compared to this couple. We took our lunch out by the lake, but the wind was strong and chilly, so we repaired to the car to eat our homemade chocolate chip cookies.

We went to Mammoth Lakes to take the scenic loop, but there were no deciduous trees there and sleety rain turned into light sugar snow. We decided to go home. It was a chilly night and then it got very windy indeed; strong enough to shake the RV good. But we were cozy and slept well.

Today we drove north on Highway 395 to Lundy Lake, another canyon with a chilly lake at the west end and a beautiful, aspen-lined stream heading for Mono Lake. The wind is still blowing but the sun adds a note of warmth. We visited another area, Virginia Lakes, but the aspens were finished there and the stones that edged the lake were covered with ice. We finally drove the 15-mile June Lake loop that encompasses three lakes. The aspens were quite beautiful. We were tootling along past Silver Lake, when there in front of us, standing in the middle of the road, was a small black, cinnamon-colored bear. He stood there for about 30 seconds, deciding where to go next, I guess. We sat there, hypnotized by the unexpected sight. It’s not exactly nature in the wild, but a bear is amazing to see under any circumstances. I sure hope he wasn’t headed for one of the nearby houses. If he is, he probably is destined for a short lifespan.

We moved the RV to Lee Vining, so we can watch something besides Ken Burns “The War”. It’s very well done, but is depressing. Our satellite dish doesn’t seem to be working, so some cable TV will be nice.

Monday, October 15, 2007
We got off to a relatively early start on Sunday, and made it across Yosemite and Tioga Pass to the east side of the Sierras. We we surprised at the cost of an annual national park pass this year: $80. Of course, the entrance fee into Yosemite is $20, so I’m sure we’ll get our money’s worth. It was a pleasant drive and we set up camp by Lee Vining Creek, deep at the bottom of Tioga Pass. This morning we walked along Lee Vining Creek and photographed aspens in all their glory. The golden leaves were shimmering on the branches, dancing in the air, artfully strewed on the ground and surfing on the water’s surface. It was breathtaking. The air was redolent with the wonderful, dusty pine scent that occurs late in summer. The only other people around are a few fisherman. Lee Vining Creek now has enough water to support fish because Los Angeles lost the right to suck the water down south before it reached the canyon floor and Mono Lake. What a difference between the beautiful stream here today and the almost non-existent rivulet that was here 13 years ago.

Although we didn’t do much, we were tired today, probably because we’re adjusting to the 7,000 foot altitude here. We did move the RV ten miles south to June Lake. We’re now perched on a hill gazing at a chilly-looking lake.

Sunday, October 21, 2007
Life is good at Calaveras Big Trees State Park. After a windy 25 miles, we ascended into the mountains, topping out at 8,700 at Ebbett’s Pass. Signs warn that trailers over 25 feet long are not recommended to take Highway 4, but Dave sailed our 26.5 foot Lazy Daze with our Rav4 in tow over the mountain. We actually drove 32 miles before anyone showed up behind us. The aspens were all leafless in the upper altitudes, so we probably won’t be going uphill very far from now on.

We got a nice campsite at Big Trees and went for our initial walk in the North Grove of very large Sequoias. Biggest of all is a Sequoia stump, about 24 feet in diameter. Someone cut down the tree, I guess, so people could walk on the stump. But there’s a better story on one of the largest dead trees in the grove. Apparently, in 1854, many people didn’t believe that trees so large actually existed. So some smarty stripped the bark off of one of the largest Sequoias (which killed it, of course), and sent the bark on a tour of the U.S., reassembling the bark into the shape and height of the tree so people could see how big it was. Along with the Sequoias, there are loads of reddish-gold dogwoods, golden big-leaf maples and some scrawny oaks. It is gorgeous, and very different from the Eastern Sierras. We saw a couple “walking” their cat on a leash; as someone said “A cat among the dogwoods”.

We went on a five-mile hike today and saw the largest living Sequoia in the park, which is pretty darn big, but loses meaning when you can’t see the top of them. As usual, we got a little bit lost, but managed to find the correct trail back by accident.