Bridget and Spike are asleep in the PTV.
We’re parked behind a motel in Lone Pine for the internet connection. Maybe I’ll be able to finish what I started yesterday, that is, our arrival at the Alabama Hills . .
I drive up Whitney Portal Road and take the righthand turn onto Movie Road.
This is all public land (BLM and free for camping). It’s a Sunday so people are driving around looking for the locations of famous movie scenes. I continue driving until the road turns to dirt. I can see a few campers tucked alongside huge piles of boulders. I continue on. I don’t want neighbors.
I’m about to give up when I come upon what looks like a good spot.
The ground is level, there’s clear roaming room for the crew, no one’s around, and the view of the mountains is spectacular. Up drives the BLM Ranger in his white truck. Where the heck did he come from? He must’ve followed me.
I walk over to his truck with my best smile.
“Hi! Is this place okay for camping?”
He tells me it’s “just fine” and hands me some literature on the movie history of the Alabama Hills and a map.
A car drives up, parks, and four people get out. Then another car drives up.
Hoo-boy.
“Well, maybe this isn’t such a great spot,” I remark to the ranger, “if a lot of people are going to be stopping here.”
“Oh, they’re here because I’m here.”
One of the people comes over and asks the ranger some questions while I take stock of the situation. The other car turns around and leaves. The four people walk around the BLT and start hiking up toward the boulders behind “our campsite.” Uh-oh. People like to turn around here. People like to hike here.
This will not do.
The ranger wishes me well and drives off. I get back in the PTV and return the way we came. The day begins to seem long. I’m ready to stop somewhere and relax, walk the crew, eat an early supper. I find a side road that has a turn-out. This will be fine.
I walk up the road with Bridget and Spike. The road is coarse sand which must be pleasant underneath their paws. Spike is excited and trots way ahead of us. Bridget stays by my side. She’s walking on all fours with only a slight limp. This sand is good exercise for her without being tiring, the way fine sand is.
At bedtime I pull up the blinds on the BLT’s three big windows.
Our campsite is elevated enough that, lying in bed with the crew, I can see stars to my left, stars at my feet, and stars above my bed to the right. I look up at the half-moon and soak up the silence.
Yes, it’s good to be back in the desert again.
rvsue
P.S. It looks like a storm is blowing in! We’re going back to camp!
It’s beautiful Sue! Wish I were there!
This place is ugly and beautiful at the same time!
Wow! You certainly get around – I can barely keep up with you 😉
I know what you mean, Neita. Seems like yesterday I was standing in awe of the Rogue.
Cool rock formations. Yes silence can be golden! Do you find the sound of rain drops hitting the roof of the BLT soothing?
Ya know ya never did post a pic of that cutie pie looking ranger back in South Dakota I think it was. 🙂
Raindrops on the roof are soft on the BLT. I don’t expect to hear them any time soon here in the desert.
Hey Sue,
Do you ever get scared out in the middle of nowhere? Just curious.
Glad to hear Bridget is walking a bit better!
That is exactly what I was going to ask Sue. Have you ever been scared being in an isolated place? BTW, you are very inspiring to me. 🙂
No, I never get scared in the middle of nowhere. Strangely, alone with no one in sight or hearing for miles around makes me feel secure.
I love the open spaces of the desert – Like you, I always feel a lightness and sense of peace that it’s difficult to find anywhere else.
So true, Anne. The desert casts a spell.
Looks like stunning scenery. I want to see those stars too!
I love looking in all directions and the only lights I see are the stars and the moon.
Awesome rock formations. Never seen anything like that in Oregon or AZ.
We’re definitely not in Oregon or Arizona any more! This is unique.
I’m a mountain girl myself, but with winter coming on I guess the desert is a better place. Enjoy those stars!!!
I’m discovering that every place has a it’s own appeal. The desert holds many treasures, warmth just being one of them.
Your photos bring back pleasant memories of the Alabama Hills for me. Your arrival there yesterday prompted me to look back today, so I posted some links in the blog tonight. We stayed in a quiet little campground probably just south of you a wee bit probably less than a mile. Can’t remember the name but we almost had the whole place to ourselves. Enjoy the area. There is magic to be found there………:))
I think I know what campground you were at. It has a silly name… “something Joe’s”…
BTW, those are royalty-free photos I skimmed off the web.
Sue
I am lucky ,Rice is just 100 miles from me.
Ron
I hope you’ll let us know your reaction to seeing the Casitas “in person.”
I don’t know maybe it’s just my weird imagination, but those rock formations look like after dark when everyone is asleep they come alive. I see faces and forms in them, like people huddling together. Or maybe I’ve just seen one too many Si-Fi movie. You are one brave lady. The scenery is stunning, none the less.
Harrietann, There are alot of faces and animals in those rocks!!LOL
There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve never been hurt by a rock. Once when I was a kid I was hurt by a person who threw a rock, but never by a rock!
I liked hearing about your stealth internet connection. Can you always get on the internet in motel parking lots? I just love the idea of the stars and the silence.
A lot of motels have WiFi. Actually I was parked behind the motel on a street with easy parking. My internet connection was through my own air card. Usually I have to go into Lone Pine to get a signal. For some reason I don’t question, I’m getting internet up here in the rocks where we’re camped.
beautiful! BEAUTIFUL!! BEE-UUUU-TEEE- FULLLL!
Hi Sue, I did the same stops in June going north. I drove to the end of Mt. Whitney Road, it was great. Got to the end and as I was getting out of my motorhome some guy asked me if I drove it up there…..duh………I got out on the driver’s side. Hope you enjoy the trip south and if you can stop at Joshua Tree National Park, Jumbo Rocks campground was unbelievable. Thank you for bringing back great memories of my start on this great lifestyle. Hope we all enjoy many years of great experiences……….
It’s my pleasure to bring back those memories, Pat. I’m happy that you are enjoying life on the road. Nothing can compare!