We planned an earley departure to drive across the northern Yosemite road to Tioga Pass and the NE entrance to the park. The traffic can get thick on weekends. We were out at 6:45 and on our way. The drive is spectacular. The views back across the valley are beautiful as are the constant granite outcroppings, domes and monoliths. At one point you can see back across the valley to the rear of Half Dome. It's about a two hour ride from our RV park to the Tioga Pass. We were by ourselves for about half the time and then hourdes of hikers started showing up.
We exited the park and drove to the intersection with Rt. 395 at Mono Lake. It's a large lake that was piped for some time for western California water and the levels fell and fell. Finally removing water was stopped, but the lake has not regained full level. It takes awhile at these elevations.
We had heard from Rosalyn Lynch that she and Brian had visited a ghost mining town named Bodie. It was about 30 miles outside of Lee Vining, a town on 395. We headed north for 18 miles and turned east on Rt. 270 to Bodie. It's in a state park off 3 miles of unpaved road at the end of 270. Bodie housed 10,000 people at one time and operated into the 1930's, so that steam powered equipment had been replaced with electric. In earley days it was a rough and tumble town known for gun fights and brawls. Much of it is preserved and some is being rebuilt. It's quite expansive with 25 or 30 buildings and out in the middle of nowhere at 8,000 of elevation. We enjoyed the walk around there.
Heading back on Rt. 270, we had a view of the Sierra stretching as far as the eye could see north and south and sprinkled with white patches of snow field and glaciers struggling to hold on a few more weeks until snows start.
We returned through the park and began looking for fuel. The first place west of Yosemite had gas over $4 and diesal at 3.98. Fortunately, near Groveland things were more reasonable. We filled up and then just missed the finale of a local chilli cook off. It was all gone when we got there.
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We loved Bodie! Did you see the 2 seater out house so you can stay close to your loved ones I guess???
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