Wednesday, October 16 (continued)
In the early evening the crew and I walk over to meet Rick and JoAnne in person. They’re long-time readers of this blog and are heading south, like we are, via Route 395 through California. They commented under the previous post of this blog that they were going to camp at Tinnemaha Campground and could be recognized by their Winnebago Adventurer Class A rig.
That’s their rig with toad on the far right in the photo above. We sit at their picnic table and chat like old pals. They camp-hosted in Glacier National Park until recently when the government closed the campground. It was their second stint there.
They have a blog called “Rick and JoAnne’s RV Travels.” Take a look. The photography puts mine to shame. Anyway . . . I enjoy our little visit, and Bridget and Spike lap up all the attention offered by Rick and JoAnne.
Later, shortly before dark, I wash off the propane tanks cover in case the mysterious night visitor returns. Not likely. (And no, he didn’t return.)
Thursday, October 17
Hmm . . . We’re down to the last one-gallon jug of drinking water. I’d better find a water supply in Big Pine today when we go to the laundromat.
(The darker photos in today’s post were taken in the early morning or evening.)
We’re covered up in dirty laundry!
Two large laundry baskets heaped high, plus two quilts and shams, go into the Perfect Tow Vehicle. One thing I always do when passing through a town on our way to a new camp is make a mental note of any services I see . . . grocery store, laundromat, water vending machine, water spigot, post office, auto repair shop, RV park with dump station, veterinarian, etc.
I know there’s a laundromat in Big Pine.
We drive six miles north on Route 395.
On the way, I pull over at a turn-out to take this photo.
Here’s a closer view of that mountain, taken from our campsite. I think some of the snow that fell recently has melted.
Big Pine isn’t big.
This is Paiute country and the reservation is here. The town seems to have more restaurants than towns comparable in size. The frequent RVs rolling down Main Street explain why.
As is my usual practice, I walk the crew before expecting them to wait inside the PTV. Of course, I look for photos while we walk.
Past the fire department we come upon a tree loaded with tiny red fruit. I did not do any photo editing. The berries are this red and and sky is this blue.
The crew goes back into the PTV in spite of Bridget’s protests. After the laundry is finished, I drive over to the Shell station to find the water spigot that I spied on our first drive through town.
Conveniently the Shell station clerk is standing by the spigot having a smoke.
“Excuse me,” I begin while climbing out of the PTV. “Is that spigot good for drinking water?”
“I don’t know,” she replies. “I’m pretty sure it is.”
“Pretty sure?” I smile. “Gee, I don’t want to kick the bucket from drinking it. I’m camping and I’m almost out of drinking water,” I explain.
“Let me go check,” she says without hesitation.
“Gee, I hate to interrupt your break.”
“That’s okay. It’s not my break. I haven’t started my shift yet.”
A little later she comes out and says the water is good and adds that I won’t kick the bucket. I thank her, fill up ten jugs, and head back to camp.
Bridget, Spike and I walk the desert.
After an especially long walk, we come upon a small pool.
Our presence flushes out two herons! In an instant they’re way across the desert. Oh, the shots that I’ve missed . . .
Autumn is subtle in Owens Valley.
The sagebrush, rabbitbush, and grasses look like gentle strokes of a painter’s brush.
Friday, October 18
The crew and I drive north to the UPS “hub” in Bishop to pick up my Amazon orders. More about that in the next post!
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AMAZON FROM MY BLOG!
I also appreciate your participation in the comments section.
You make blogging fun!
“REAR VIEW MIRROR”
Some folks enjoy the aesthetics of a landscape. Others enjoy the geology aspect. It’s clear which “camp” I’m in when we briefly make our home at Fossil Falls, a short distance south of where we are now, on October 24, 2012.
“Fossil Falls: Lava, lava, lava”
NOTE: For those who indicated in comments an interest in identifying the tree with the red berries . . .
I opened Picasa, found the photo, and enlarged a small section to show the shape of the leaves.
