Tuesday, October 8 (continued)
Today the crew and I ride the most scenic section of Route 395 as we move southward through California on the east side of the Sierras. A few miles south of Carson City a right turn onto Route 50 would take us to Lake Tahoe. One of these years we’re going to go there, but not this year.
We pass through Minden and enter Gardnerville.
The speed limit is 45 mph with stop lights. Oh, is that what I think it is? Yes, my bank! See, I’ve been carrying around the $200 check that Casita Travel Trailers company sent me. A reader (dear Margaret) attributed her decision to purchase a Casita to me and my blog, so I get a check! It was sent to my mailing address in South Dakota and languished there for several weeks before I arranged to have my mail forwarded to me. I’ve been concerned that check would become invalid after so much time.
I never thought I’d go to the bank pulling the BLT!
I whip right in there, run inside, and make the deposit. The teller, a girl of about TWELVE, suggests I get an iPhone.
“Then all you have to do is take a picture of your check.” Yeah, well, it’s cheaper to get out of the van and walk in here, and I’m nothing if not cheap. Actually it’s not a bad idea since I go places where my bank isn’t located.
Shortly past Holbrook Junction is Topaz Lake.
What a jewel! Unfortunately I miss the only place to get off the road to take a photo.
There’s a stretch of road, I think between Bridgeport and Conway Summit (8138 ft.), that is a favorite of photographers and painters. People are painting or snapping photos when I stop the PTV to take my own photos.
You may recognize these scenes from professional photos.
As you can tell, I’m still learning this camera. I had to zoom in from far away on the road.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to make a totally bad photo with these colors!
Continuing southward on 395, Mono Lake makes a stunning debut viewed from an overlook.
From this viewpoint you can see Route 395 crossing the valley to the lake.
By the time we reach Mono Lake it’s almost five o’clock.
I drive up to the Visitors Center which has a closed sign on it. A few other people are there, walking around the building in order to enjoy the view. The crew and I join them, but the wind picks up and the sky darkens.
I don’t know yet where we will camp for the night.
I hurry us out of there. I always have avoided looking for a boondock in the late afternoon. It’s not good practice. Today we got a late start and it took some time making it this far, what with the uphill grades and sightseeing along the way.
I’m pretty sure you can boondock around Mono Lake.
However, it’s windy, it’s late, and I don’t feel like going on a prolonged search. I get us back on Route 395. Suddenly I’m very weary. I want to stop driving and soon!
The sign says “Entering Inyo National Forest.”
Great! First forest road with any promise . . . I’m taking it! I miss a few forest roads. From the elevated position of Route 395, I can see forest roads winding among the pines. There are campsites down there!
We pass the start of the loop road that goes around June Lake.
June Lake is high elevation and this road isn’t much lower. Oh, what the heck! So it’s cold tonight. I want to pull off this road!
I make a right turn onto Glass Creek Road.
It’s wide gravel with no washboard. I take the second left, purely on intuition, drive through pine forest, and come to a turn-around at the end. Here it opens up to a wide vista of the Sierras!
I giggle with delight as I jump out of the PTV.
Quickly I run around to the side door and let out Bridget and Spike.
“Can you believe this?” I exclaim. “This is gorgeous!” I walk around in awe, my jaw hanging. “Will you look at this! Look at those mountains! I love this!”
I repeat these exclamations several times, pausing only to laugh out loud at our good fortune. This is one of the prettiest campsites we’ve ever found! It’s perfect!
Wednesday, October 9
Upon awakening, I sit up and lift the blind. It’s SNOWING!
Well, that’s what happens at 7,600 feet in October.
It snows all day long.
The crew and I stay inside our cozy home, hibernating. At times the wet snow is flying horizontally in the wind. A deer walks by during the worst of it. Birds scratch the snow and chipmunks scurry this way and that.
Spike and Bridget run outside only when nature calls. We sleep most of the day.
“Glass Creek Camp — A Winter Wonderland”
Next post: Scenes of Glass Creek Camp and the Sierras at our doorstep!
rvsue
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On January 1st, 2013, the crew and I were camped on Sidewinder Road west of Yuma.
“Livin’ it up at the center of the earth”
Beautiful, cold no doubt but, wow, hope it’s melted so travel will be easy to resume for you RVSue and crew. Awesome colors and pictures of them.
T~
Hi, Tawanda…
The snow is gone already. It melted away the same day as the picture above. It warmed up by noon. I sat outside with the crew and soaked up the sunshine!
Love the snow, well all 4 seasons actually, glad you were able to enjoy it, as well as a wonderful walk in all the beauty you are surrounded in, the quiet of the forest, then to top it off with a nice soak in the warm sunshine, does it get any better than that 😉
So glad too you are taking time to rest! Look forward to the pictures to follow.
T~
Hi Sue and crew, Dominick here from Rochester, NY. I read your posts everyday, But when I first saw the BLT covered with that snow. .I had to comment. The first thing to pop out of my mouth was OMG ! My heart sank for you guys. I’d probably would have had a panic attack. Living here in upstate NY we sure get our share of snow. And one would think after 63 years I should be used to it by now. But I hate it with a passion. Hopefully things will clear up and you’ll be able to meander south to warmer sunnier areas. Drive safely and stay warm.. Cheers Dominick
Hi, Dominick,
Great to hear from you again and to know you’re still reading my blog.
You know, I’ve been trying to dodge the cold and snow, hurrying south. I fell in love with this place at first sight and the snow didn’t bother me at all. The heater worked really well. We stayed warm and I needed a day of rest anyway.
The next morning (when that photo was taken) we went for a long walk in the quiet, snow-laden forest. The air so fresh and crisp and the temperature just right for a short hike. I’m going to stay a few days, cold or not!
Well, as for NY, that’s a whole ‘nuther type of cold!
Hi Sue…Glad to hear the snow all melted and the sun came out. Yes it sounds like you do need a rest for a couple of days, enjoy your stay, and keep warm Dominick
You keep warm, too. 🙂
OMG……..wait I’m on the floor laughing!
Snow!!! My mom hears me laughing and she says what are you laughing about….sue and her crew woke up to snow!
I could just picture you waking up and peering thru the blinds! But when I scrolled down and saw the PTV and BLT in the winter wonderland……I lost it!
Thanks for the chuckles!
After all my running to keep away from snow… okay, go ahead and laugh!
It is one heckuva great boondock though. I’ll show you the photos in the next post. You know me, I love being alone in the woods.
I can’t wait to see them! Your photos are gorgeous!
I laughed because Jules is back in NY freezing her toosh off! Temps were low it was raining…which is a recipe for lake effect snow!
Stay warm!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!! 🙂
Thanks!
The snow is great, if it is going to be cold it might as well snow at least it is photogenic.
My first trip to Yosemite was in early November, I made camp and went to sleep. In the middle of the night a storm came through, rocks were falling down the cliffs everywhere. I woke up to the first snowfall of the year, It was pure magic. I went crazy running around trying to capture it before it all melted by the afternoon.
Hi, Alan,
You described the scene here better than I could have! “It was pure magic.” After a day of naps, our walk before the snow melted was magical.
beautiful!
Nature’s beauty never ceases to amaze me.
Snow Howdy, Sue, hope and pray you’ll be able to get out of the snow be for it gets deep. Your doing fine on your photos that I see, they’re great ,,,,,:~)
Hi Rusty . . . The snow’s gone. It left as quickly as it came! Thanks for the compliment on the photos.
Oh beautiful! My next trip is in February..bound for Alaska in winter. I’ve never been to Alaska in winter…going to visit my granddaughter. Hope I get to ride a sled 🙂 I love walking in a snowy forest…sometimes a tree dumps a clump of snow on my head LOL. My sister and I walked three miles to visit a cousin one snowy winter…our cousin thought we were crazy and offered to drive us home but we refused. The snow flakes were as big as saucers…well almost. Enjoy your camp and rest up…traveling can be exhausting.
Hi, Rita,
You are quite a traveler. And when you go places, you know how to truly experience what is there.
The crew and I got plenty of rest the day of the snow “storm.” We feel great!
The Snow-PTV/BLT-Sierras is awesome and would make a nice blog header for when it gets real HOT.
Great idea Mick… I’m thinking July!!
Except no SSG … Supreme Signal Grabber.
I like that… SSG.
The BLT isn’t complete without the SSG in the header photo. I haven’t put up the antenna at this camp because the signal is very strong here without it.
That would be the perfect place to use the panoramic feature of your new camera. It is easy to use but takes a couple tries to get it right.
I tried the panorama feature on the mountains. It worked. However it doesn’t let one zoom in so the mountains look too far away. They’re just a strip of white above the pine trees in mid-field. I guess it’s meant for closer subjects.
I remember that the zoom was limited in the panoramic mode. Maybe if you work with the high resolution picture you can crop and and this will reduce the picture size which you do anyway before you post?
Hmm . . . Not sure if that will work. I’ll give it a try.
Sue,
Your photos, which are exquisite by the way, remind me of a lovely silent retreat I went on quite a few years ago. I went to sleep that night and woke up to snow, somewhat more than what it appears you had. Given that I was in silence, when I went out to greet the snow there was a majesty about it that I doubt I would have experienced in a noisier environment. Sheer magic! Your words tell me that you experienced something quite similar! Can’t wait to see your next post and the rest of the photos!
Deborah
Hi, Deborah,
You expressed very well the snowy scene we discovered that morning. “Majestic” describes the snow-covered peaks. And, yes, the silence is part of the magic. I enjoyed your comment.
Wow Sue ! I must have passed you on the road !!!! I left the night before it snowed. Only I didnt leave till 7 p.m . I was sleeping in a tent so packed up at about 5:00 when the clouds and wind blew in. Darn, It would have been fun to run into you !!!
Sure is a pretty area isnt it?? Maybe next year I will be there in a camper or RV., I think I am getting tired of the tent camping. Cant wait to see your boondock spot ! How long do you plan to stay in the area? I am thinking of going that way again next week if the colors hold on. I just Love the fall !
Hi, Sue,
You left where? Here means what? Glass Creek Road?
Gee, you’re a hardy soul. I couldn’t tent in the best of conditions and you tent in October at 7,000 feet plus!
I don’t know how long I’ll stay. I’m taking each day as it comes now that we’re close to our winter habitat.
Hey, I know exactly where you are ! I went for a hike right near glass creek rd . earlier on the 8th !! !Ha ha !!! So close to meeting you and the crew.
You answered my question above. This is a great area for hiking.
I was actually camping at Lundy canyon. Did you see the turn off for it? on the way to Lee vining. But, on the 8th I went up near June lake loop explorring. So, yes I was near your camp before you got there. Yes, I camp in a tent. The cold doesnt bother me when sleeping cause I have warm stuff but I wasnt into getting up in the morning with fresh snow all over my tent. My rain fly isnt working to good cause the pole broke. So, went on home. Sure looks pretty with the fresh snow.
No, I didn’t see the turn for Lundy Canyon. I don’t know how you can tent camp in bear country. I wouldn’t be able to go to sleep. I’d keep imagining a bear tearing through the side of the tent. I’ll be happy to hear you got yourself a hard-sided camp home!
We are headed up 395 tomorrow and will be boondocking off Whitney Portal Road near Lone Pine which is farther south from you and at a lower elevation. There’s a cowboy film festival this weekend in Lone Pine. We were up towards Lake Sabrina at 7400 feet last week and it was a very chilly, in the 20’s, but no snow. That was until we got kicked out of an almost empty campground due to the government shut down. 🙁
I’m surprised that your latest campsite is one of the best you have had. Yay California! We do have some pretty nice scenery here if you can get through the traffic and crazy drivers.
Chris
Diego says “hi” to the crew.
Hi, Chris,
The crew and I camped at Lone Pine/Alabama Hills last year. We arrived just as the film festival was concluding.
You wrote “I’m surprised that your latest campsite is one of the best you have had.” I’m not sure what you meant by that, but I may explain what I mean by “best” in my next post.
I don’t know if you’ll see this or not, but here goes anyway. What size tires do you have on your Casita? I have a Bal leveler that I’d like to give away. It’s yours if you want it. It doesn’t work well with the BLT’s big tires.
Thanks, Diego. Without your name I wouldn’t be sure what Chris this is!
I was surprised about the CA campsite being best because I’ve seen so many photos of the beautiful areas where you have been! I love many of the of the camping areas in my home state even though the traffic can make the drive to it miserable.
Thanks for the leveler offer but I’ll pass. We use the orange blocks and wheel chocks and are happy with them but do appreciate the offer!
Sue, that is a wonderful photo. Winter wonderland just a tad bit early. We are following you but about 10 days behind. Love the area. Lots of boon docking places.
If weather warms up, drive up rock creek canyon at Tom’s Place just before the downhill to bishop.
Hi, Kent,
I know where Tom’s Place is. There are a lot of campgrounds up that canyon, probably closed due to the shut-down. I’m thinking of looking on the other side of 395 in that area.
Thanks for the compliment on the photo.
Oh RV SUE! I was eating some shredded wheat when I encountered your SNOWY comment, I lost it! Then quickly thought, hope it’s gone by noon and RVSue and Crew are back on the road!
LOVELY photos… Thank you for the photo’s and the laughter you created tonight.
I love being able to deposit checks from anywhere using my android phone or tablet. Most banks limit the check amount (I think Chase limits it to checks under $3500) and a limit of 3-5 checks per day (can’t recall the specifics) . So easy!
Yes, but first you have to buy the expensive phone… and then you have that big hit every month to use it. I have two prepaid phones and my total cost per month for the two is between $15-18 plus unlimited North American calling on Skype for less than $3 a month. For those of us who don’t text (and never will) smart phones aren’t that useful and are way too expensive. Of course another detail is that I only get 2 or 3 checks a year anymore… everything is direct deposit.
Great idea, thanks Mugsy.
Phyllis in Oklahoma
My situation is similar to yours, Connie. I rarely receive a paper check and I’m happy with my cheapo phone arrangement.
Hey Sue,
I’m with you, I would rather just walk into the bank with the rare paper check. Just FYI, though, you don’t have to have a smart phone to make a photo deposit. (The teller should have told you this.) Just take the picture with your regular digital camera and load it to your computer. Get on your bank’s web site and you will be able to upload it. They should have instructions on their site, but it’s just like you do when you upload photos for the blog. It’s good to know this option is available in a pinch.
Hey, David! Nice to see you here.
I didn’t know you could upload a photo of a check to the bank. Good info. Thanks!
An when I do get that rare check, I pop it into an envelope with a deposit slip and mail it to the bank… never had one disappear on the way…
I’ve done that, too. This time I wanted to walk the check in because it was getting old. If I had to, I’d give them a sob story.
You are in one of my favorite parts of California. I loved driving the 395 when we would go to Mammoth to ski. I am in Iowa and was sitting on my porch with my crew at 5:30 and it was warm! Imagine snow in CA and warm in October in Iowa!
There is something very peaceful about a first snow and being the only one out in it. Enjoy!
That was 5:30am – usually starting to get pretty cold about now so I am enjoying it as much as I can!
Hi, Kellee,
This has been a crazy year for weather. I read the news today how the SD ranchers lost so many cattle in the blizzard. Devastating.
Enjoy the warmth while you can!
Ah, now you are in our favorite area~the eastern Sierras! My husband, who was born in Pennsylvania, and I stayed at a lodge in Mammoth one Thanksgiving. Needless to say, it snowed. He had NEVER seen snow swirling and coming in sideways, like the blizzard that weekend! Needless to say, yes, Sierra storms come in suddenly. Hope you and the “kids” stay warm!
~~We spend a week up in the June Lake Loop every summer~~LOVE IT~
Question: May I use your photo of your van and trailer and snow? I’d like to post it on one of my blogs so that folks can see that area with snow, since we don’t get up there when there is snow. I’ll stop by and check your response…no hurry…
Hi, Cheryl Ann,
You are very fortunate to spend a week each summer at June Lake. One would have a hard time finding a better location for a vacation.
Sure, you can use the photo! Thank you for asking first.
I hope you are still at Mono Lake. Make sure you go to the Mono Lake South Tufa. Another blog I follow is there and the pictures of the tufa sticking up all over with the drought conditions are spectacular.
While I am sure the snow is extremely cold for you and the crew, that photo of the snow with you sitting in the middle all covered is a great postcard:)
Hi, John and Pam,
I did see some of the tofu, tufa, whatever. I took some photos but it had turned dark and they didn’t come out well.
The snow was very pleasant, once it was on the ground, not falling or being blown sideways. It was a wonderful change, especially since it didn’t last long.
Gee… a short while ago we were at Rialto Beach, before that riding a ferry across Puget Sound, before that the rainforest at Hamma Hamma, oh, the places we’ve been!
Your photos are so beautiful, I feel as though I’m right there with you. And the snow – all I can say is, wow! I’m glad your BLT was a snug hideaway for you. Your story reminds me of the first time my mother and I went to Colorado in early October about 10 years ago. We got up the first morning and there was about an inch of snow everywhere. Not as much as you got, but we were still surprised by it – Texas never gets snow until after Thanksgiving, if then.
Isn’t serendipity grand? You had no place to sleep when you started, yet you end up at a spot you said was one of the prettiest you’ve ever found. I’m looking forward to seeing more pictures!
Hi, Cari,
It seems the longer the crew and I live this vagabond life, the more serendipitous it becomes! Yes, finding this camp was a delight. I was tired and ready to settle for any level, private place. Instead I roll down a road to a beautiful camp.
The BLT is a “snug hideaway,” especially with the heater on high. We were very comfortable.
Wonderful, Crazy, and Amazing the way you find beautiful places to land! But SNOW? HaHaHa! The kind of snow that blankets you for a few hours of blessed silence and beauty and then slowly melts away the same day is my favorite kind of snow. Short, Sweet and Beautiful! I like snow to look at and sometimes walk through… I just don’t wanna see it knee deep or deeper for months on end or have to drive through it! I’d rather look at your photos of snow! I agree with Mick, that snow photograph would make a great header photo… AND a Christmas Card to send to Casita Company! Keep on keeping on! Love the post today!
Geri, you gave me a great idea to suggest to RVSue. We all love! love! love! her photos; so, how nice it would be if she would select ONE photo for her Christmas card that captures the heart and soul and memories of HER year with us. Wouldn’t it be interesting to find out just which beautiful photo that would be? Then maybe she could select, say, 3 photos for US to vote on so that we readers would see just which photo best captures the experiences WE shared with her in this amazing blog in 2013. Shall I suggest it? Do you think RV Sue reads this?!! 😉 Maybe Bridget & Spike will read this and drop a few … hints! 😉 Hmmmmmm!
Hi, Gayle,
Your enthusiasm for my photos makes me smile. Could I choose ONE photo for the year? Never! I tried to make a slide show for the year 2012 (when I could make slideshows) and it took me FOREVER and I still wasn’t happy with it because so much was left out.
You do have me thinking about your suggestions though!
I’m very proud of you describing rvsue and her canine crew as “this amazing blog.” That’s quite a compliment. Thank you!
Hi, Geri,
Here today, gone tomorrow — the best kind of snow! It was lovely as you can tell from the photo. I wish I’d put up the antenna so that snow photo would be complete.
I’m pleased you “loved” today’s post. You write such encouraging, positive comments!
That is absolutley stunning, I’ve always wanted to go right where your at, I’m jealous.
Hi, Suerte,
I’m happy to share it with you!
Oh my goodness the snow!!! We were watching those dense clouds from here the other day and wondering weather you got caught in them. Look at that!! Amazing pics!
Nina
Thanks, Nina! I made camp here because I was too tired to go further. Then I didn’t want to leave here, even though the weather report said snow for June Lake, which is our neighbor. I hoped it wouldn’t last so we could enjoy this camp. It worked out very well!
Hi Sue, I was raised in Bishop and went many times to the Mono Lakes area (including skiing at Mammoth Mountain). I have lived in Central Texas for 45 years and sure miss the mountains and beautiful lakes. We were in Bishop last year at this time and I think you went thru there about this time. They have a choo choo swap meet and car show every year. Love your blog and read it every day. Thanks for the beautiful pictures along the way! Pat, Texas
Hi, Pat,
You’re welcome. Thank you for reading (and loving) my blog!
Yes, the crew and I were in this area this time last year. We camped for 14 days, I think, at Lone Pine (Alabama Hills).
I’m happy to bring you photos of this area!
I think snow makes quiet places even more quiet. Glad you got to experience it and glad it went away. Perfect kind of snow, the kind that melts by noon.
Hi, Dawn,
Yes, snow does make the quiet quieter! I agree, a brief time in winter wonderland is great. A long time is not so wonderful.
Hi Sue, Great pics and glad your snow melted soon. It really is devastating to see the cows. It broke my heart to see them along the road,and just not cows, but horses and sheep. Today we had a flood here in keystone,but not to serious. I hope the animals are safe. This weather is crazy wind gusts up to 60. Snowed in one day flooded in the next. I was suppose to be here to Nov. 4th, but asked if I could leave early and they said yes.. Yipeee!!!! It suppose to snow again this Monday. Lord help us! I’m definately going to do the 385 route it sounds nice.
Hi, Laurie,
I’ve thought of you several times over the past few days. I read about the huge losses to ranchers, about the carcasses all over in the fields and streams. And more snow is on the way?
Yeah, get outta there! You’ve certainly put up with enough. Be careful on the roads. I hope they’re clear for you.
Glass Creek is a favorite place of mine to boondock. I live on the other side of the Sierra’s just north of Yosemite and head to Glass Creek several times a year. With Mammoth just south of there you got city stuff if you want it or simply country if you choose that. The Water Company in Mammoth has a free sewer dump, at least it was free last time I was there.
A number of years ago over 4th of July weekend we had snow at Glass Creek. The Sierra’s and Foothills are a wonderful area, you never know what the weather will be.
Hi, Joy,
Gee, I didn’t realize I had readers who boondock at Glass Creek. I can see why it is one of your favorites.
It’s cold here in the early morning hours. By 10 o’clock it warms up for a comfortable walk in long sleeves with vest. By one o’clock I’m in short sleeves and the sunshine has the crew dozing on the warm ground. Hey, I can live with this. Add a spectacular mountain view from my doorstep, nobody around, just wildlife, and I’m in heaven!
SNOW!!
Looks COOL. Bet it was!
I like it just not that close. Hope you don’t get stuck up there.
Hi, Wayne,
The snow was kewl. 🙂 It left in a hurry.
No chance getting stuck, not with my sooper-dooper, brand new, all-terrain tires!
Hi Sue!
Do you know what happens every time I read your blog and I get to the end of it? I always want MORE!
Have I thanked you recently for writing it? I don’t believe I have, so
THANK YOU SUE AND CREW!
I just love reading your little excerpts of life!
hugs,
Lacy
Hi, Lucy,
You’re very welcome. It’s a pleasure writing for readers like you!
The very best kind of snow. Beautiful for a while, and gone very quickly. Snow silence is the best. Still very warm here in middle TN. Fall Break from school next week, but guess which Murphy has jury duty?
Oh, no! And fall break is so important to hard-working teachers!
Reminds me of a few years ago when we still had a pop-up (with no heater) instead of a nice warm Casita. We were camped at Sylvan Lake State Park In CO in mid-June and woke up to SNOW! Packed up and beat it out of there 16 miles on a gravel road and then some to where we had seen a Starbucks the previous day. Ahhhh – hot coffee never tasted so good, even at $3 a pop.
Oh that is soooooooooooooooo beautiful!! I can’t wait for the next post! Sunny and sparkling snow! Wow!
No thanks to the snow. I just left Flagstaff to get away from that.
“Majical ” and made more majical knowing you have the new All terrain tires and a new battery to keep the furnace going. Have you thought of adding a battery? Your panel probably puts out way more electricity than your battery can absorb. I ‘m sur your controller cuts off the panels when there is still sun. Adding another battery could help on the darker days of winter. I love that side of the Sierra’s and this is the first time in the 22 years we have been married that we didn ‘t make it up. Enjoy.
Hi, Stan,
I don’t need a “new battery to keep the furnace going” because the BLT doesn’t have a furnace. I didn’t choose that option. Instead I had a Wave3 heater installed that runs on propane. There are two batteries in the PTV and one inside the BLT.
Wow… You’ve enjoyed the Sierras for all those years!
The wave is the way to go. We have never used our forced air heater. All that battery sucking noise and erratic heating. So hot you throw the covers of then freeze,then throw off the covers,lather rinse repeat. You are the best judge about battery. I remember you posting about low battery in winter, but then again your old battery could have been the problem. We ached for the High Sierra this summer but our boys both took summer college courses. What is wrong with kids today? I took little local trips to help a little.