Tarp Reform
Daily Summary
Day 26
Start Big Trees Campground (Inyo National Forest) near Bishop, CA
Finish Big Trees Campground (Inyo National Forest) near Bishop, CA
Today’s Miles 0
Highlights
Robin drove 13 miles to Bishop to complete her morning run on flatland and at a reasonable elevation. Ross rode his bicycle down the mountain to meet her. A highlight for Robin was running on the high school dirt track with a view of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the west and the White Mountains to her east.
We called our mothers to wish them a happy Mother’s Day. It was good to catch up.
We picked up some croissants and coffee for breakfast and restocked our groceries, then we headed back to the offline serenity of the mountains.
Lowlights
After a sunny start to the day, the afternoon clouds brought cold rain and wind to our camping adventure. It’s how you know you’re on an adventure. Ross pitched a tarp and poured two fingers of High West Rendezvous Rye. We kept dry and warm.
Observations
Robin says Ross is a “tarp and knot” sensei. Ross says, “Thanks, YouTube.”
The Reverent
Daily Summary
Day 25
Start Boulder Creek Campground in Lone Pine, CA
Finish Big Trees Campground (Inyo National Forest) near Bishop, CA
Today’s Miles 132.6
Trip Time 05:47:37
Moving Average 36.8 mph
Speed Max 61.2 mph
Time Moving 03:43:10
Odometer 1692.7
Highlights
We stopped Manzana Internment Camp where 10,000 Japanese-Americans were interned during World War II. The experience was very somber and solemn. Throughout the entire United States there were some 110 to 120,000 Japanese-Americans held in these camps. We watched a video with interviews of some of these Americans, and it was heart wrenching. We would hope that this level of intolerance and racism would be gone for good, but clearly it has not.
We visited the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest up in the White Mountains. Contained within the Inyo National Forest, some of these trees are up to 4,800 years old, the oldest living trees on earth. Using these trees, scientists (dendrochronologist and dendroclimatologists) who study the effect of long term weather patterns on tree rings have literally rewritten history.
Arriving in Bishop, California, our first stop was at Erik Schat’s Bakkery known for its massive bakery production of 25,000 loaves of bread every day. Using a Basque recipe, they are known for their sheepherders bread. We bought a peach pie.
We found a sweet campsite (space #5) at the Big Trees NFS campground, up a canyon outside of town. The site is next to a happy creek nestled among Small Cactuses (haha). The site is Pet-Approved, affording high quality sniffing and faux-hunting opportunities.
Lowlights
The Peach Pie. Four thumbs down to all peach pies made with canned peaches. We should have known better; it’s not even peach season. The crust was not special either. We will give the Bakkery another chance, and try their sheepherders bread.
Supported Camping
Daily Summary
Day 24
Start Lone Pine Campground (Inyo National Forest) near Lone Pine, CA
Finish Boulder Creek Campground in Lone Pine, CA
Today’s Miles 12.1
Trip Time 01:55:33
Moving Average 34.1 mph
Speed Max 60.4 mph
Time Moving 00:27:26
Odometer 1560.1
Highlights
We drove up to the Whitney Portal campground and trailhead for a look-see. The campground sits at 8,000 feet and it began to hail when we arrived. The campground sits in a magical pine forest with the Lone Pine Creek running through it. There’s a beautiful waterfall on the western end. We liked sites 14 and 44 if we come back to camp.
We stopped in at the very nice Eastern Sierra Interagency Visitor Center where many agencies are representing, including the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Inyo County, Mono County, California Department of Transportation, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
After 3 days of dry camping in the national forest campground, we opt to head back to Boulder Creek Campground in Lone Pine for what we are now calling “supported camping” that is like a three-legged stool: showers, laundry, and Internet. While Ross considers himself clean when a strong wind blows the dust out of his hair, Robin prefers to luxuriate and wash her hair in a campground shower. It’s a bonus if the shower is free and hot.
Our 60 watt solar panel is keeping up with our electricity needs. We have a Group 31 deep cycle marine battery on board the teardrop and we power the ARB refrigerator, two iPhone, one iPad, a Garmin watch, and a Delorme InReach Explorer.
Robin is a dirty girl. Scratch that. What we mean is that she’s getting used to being dirty (while camping). She has achieved the high distinction of being able to run two days in a row without bathing. Ross likes his women au naturale.
Lowlights
A lightning bolt came out of the sky and fried the campground’s Internet. We are down to only 2 legs on that aforementioned stool.
Observation
Robin’s hair stylist recommended trying dry shampoo for those remote camping days. Robin reports that it does not work, and it smells worse than the stinky hair it’s meant to fix.
Monsieur Spock seems to really enjoy camping as compared to life in the condo. He wakes up with a spring in his steps (all four of them) and much to say. Anyone who has made his acquaintance can attest to his rather sonorous vocalizations. Nearby campers seem to enjoy his musings at 6 AM, or so we hope.
T'Chat jumped out of the Jeep at the campground during a lapse in our attention. She managed to run away and elude capture for a while. We texted her that this was an “Active Bear Area” and she was not safe “out there”. When she saw a young female bear heading to Whole Foods wearing yoga pants and running shoes, she knew we weren’t kidding. She returned promptly.
In the Presence of Giants
| Daily Summary | May 5 |
|---|---|
| Day | 23 |
| Start | Lone Pine Campground (Inyo National Forest) near Lone Pine, CA |
| Finish | Lone Pine Campground (Inyo National Forest) near Lone Pine, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We woke to a beautiful sunrise over the Inyo Mountains in the east. The weather is cool and clear.
- Ross hiked up about 2,000 vertical feet from Lone Pine CG to the Whitney Port CG. From the trail, he could look east the Inyo Mountains and the Alabama Hills with their rock formations. He climbed along Lone Pine Creek and caught glimpses of Mt. Whitney and her neighboring 13,000+ peaks.
- Robin adjusts to the elevation (over 5,000 feet) at the campground. She runs for an hour with some intervals thrown in for fun.
- After this morning’s adventures/workouts, we celebrated by making another appearance at Alabama Hills Cafe for burgers made with ½ pounds of beef and topped with bacon and other goodies.
Lowlights
- The evening got cold and windy, chasing us into the teardrop early to spend most of the evening.
Purple Mountains' Majesty
| Daily Summary | May 4 |
|---|---|
| Day | 22 |
| Start | Boulder Creek Campground in Lone Pine, CA |
| Finish | Lone Pine Campground (Inyo National Forest) near Lone Pine, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 14.1 |
| Trip Time | 02:36:10 |
| Moving Average | 27.9 mph |
| Speed Max | 1.8 mph |
| Time Moving | 00:31:17 |
| Odometer | 1548.0 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- Robin ran 2.25 ALL uphill (750 ft climb) from the Boulder Creek campground in Lone Pine, CA…but the view was worth it.
- We had what could be described as a large breakfast at Alabama Hills Cafe in Lone Pine. Think of Lone Pine as the gateway to Mt. Whitney, the tallest mountain in the continental United States. Robin had the breakfast BLT which came highly recommended by our fellow wayfarer, Laurie. Good choice!
- From there we explored the Alabama Hills (where tons of movies have been filmed, including parts of Gladiator). Alabama Hills is managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and camping is free. It’s common for people to find camping spots within and around the magnificent rock formations with views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Sierras epitomize the “purple mountains’ majesty”.
- In the end, we settled at the Lone Pines National Forest campground heading up into the Mt. Whitney Portal where you would go to begin a summit of Mt. Whitney.
- Robin and Ross both had a chance to catch up with their dads.
- After setting up camp at the base of Mt. Whitney, we played Hearts for first time in our marriage, and Ross taught Robin to play Bourré — a card game similar to Hearts played down in Cajun country. Fun!
- Robin and Spock got spooked by a big bunny rabbit (somewhat rascally) with ears bigger than Spock’s. Shaming is not just for the Internet.
- We had Alabama Hills Cafe’s Dutch apple pie for dinner. With a thick crust and crunchy apples, the pie filling was composed of a sweet, thick cinnamon goo. The only thing that would have made it better was heat and a side order of a la mode.
Lowlights
- None
Eastern Sierras
| Daily Summary | May 3 |
|---|---|
| Day | 22 |
| Start | Pioneer Point Campground (Sequoia National Forest) near Lake Isabella, CA |
| Finish | Boulder Creek Campground in Lone Pine, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 111.7 |
| Trip Time | 02:37:02 |
| Moving Average | 54.8 mph |
| Speed Max | 71.4 mph |
| Time Moving | 02:04:23 |
| Odometer | 1533.9 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- Windshield replaced right at our campsite. Couldn’t have been more convenient
- Sunrise from our bedroom at our elevated campsite over Lake Isabella.
- Sunny warm day chased us over Walkers Pass to the desert side of the Sierras.
- Ross located the Pacific Crest Trail crossing – too early in the year to sight thruhikers
- Landed at a nice commercial campground, Boulder Creek in Lone Pine. Robin needs a night of ‘supported camping’ every now and then. (e.g., a nice clean, hot shower)
Lowlights
- None
Observation
- Travel in teardrop with the pets means limited temperature range. Optimal temps between 40 to 75.
- Must remember to carry checks in our checkless world for odd campground fees (state/national parks you just put check in envelopes), for insurance deductibles to repair broken windshields, etc.
- Spock is the dirtiest dog he’s ever been. He loves it.
It's Neither Here Nor There
| Daily Summary | May 2 |
|---|---|
| Day | 21 |
| Start | Lake Nacimiento near Paso Robles, CA |
| Finish | Pioneer Point Campground (Sequoia National Forest) near Lake Isabella, CA |
| Today’s Miles | 173.3 |
| Trip Time | 04:54:33 |
| Moving Average | 47.9 mph |
| Speed Max | 69.4 mph |
| Time Moving | 03:44:02 |
| Odometer | 422.1 |
| Location | https://share.delorme.com/Judice |
Highlights
- We rose to a lovely morning on the lake. Very quiet and serene. Robin went for a run while Ross paddled on his board.
- We drove through America’s nut belt where almonds, pistachios, cashews, and walnuts are grown. Lots of olives are grown here too. It’s amazing that so much grows in this arid climate. Meanwhile we’re shriveling up like California raisins unless we drink constantly. And they say drinking water helps too.
- Lake Isabella is a small one-Prius town on the shore of Lake…oh, we forget the name. Anyhoo, we asked the grocery store cashier if there was a laundromat in town and she pointed out the door and said, “It’s just up the street right next to the car wash.” We drove up and down the street looking for the laundromat or the car wash. No luck. We searched Google. No. We asked Siri. No. We stopped and asked pedestrians who said, “It’s just up the street right next to the car wash.” We snickered as we drove off for another pass. And then we gave up and drove to the campground. Robin would later pack 5 days of rations and set out to find the laundromat. She was successful and planted a flag at the site being the first native Virginian to ever set foot there. Robin really liked the laundromat because of the pride the owners took with cleanliness and the efficiency of the machines. You start noticing these things…
Lowlights
- A big rock hit our windshield and scared the crap out of us. Since there was no car in front of us, we came to the logical conclusion that we were shot. Upon further analysis it was probably just a rock. On the bright side, the insurance claims people and the windshield repair people were friendly and efficient. The repair is scheduled for tomorrow at our campsite.
- The campground is loaded with Bromus tectorum, or “cheat grass”, known to get in animals ears and become a problem. If you’ve ever seen the satellite-dishes-for-ears Mr. Spock sports, you know it’s a concern. He had a small Cessna accidentally land in his left ear once.
