sueandstevestravels: 3-4 OCTOBER 2012: MAMMOTH LAKES

Days 16 & 17:

Getting there:
There was still no electricity in the morning when we set off. Can't say we were sorry to leave Nevada. Not the most advanced of states as evidenced by the sign we passed on the highway just before crossing the state line.

Brothels are legal, and openly advertised, in Nevada. The 'Ranch' isn't the trailer on the left (it's a much larger building just out of the picture), but presumably the car was a customer's.

After a scary drive through the White Mountains in our trusted Ford compact. We had a choice and picked up the lime green one because we could not possibly lose it in a parking lot!!!

The car also had an interesting number plate that caught the attention of some American tourists...

We drove through Bristle Cone Pine Forest (7,000 feet above sea level with sheer drops!) and we were relieved to be able to stop for lunch at the small town of Big Pine.
We ate at a real diner which had been on Sue's wish-list.

Then we had a quick look around town and found Dick's an interesting shop that sold smoked meat. There appear to be smoke shops everywhere - unusual to a Brit...

MAMMOTH LAKES
We wondered whether this would be a 'pass-through' place to get to Yosemine BUT we loved it here. It's the perfect place for a holiday, but too far away from Knowle unfortunately.
People 'come for the winter but stay for summer'.
Silver was found in Mammoth Lakes in 1858 and over the next 20 years thousands flocked to Mammoth City. But by 1880, when no gold bonanza had materialised, the mines shut down. It wasn't till the 1930s that the new breed of pioneers arrived, setting up the skiing industry. Snow starts to fall in November and the ski season doesn't close in this town till 4th July!

Cinnamon Bear Inn
We stayed in this B and B and took some photos. We'd recommend it to anyone coming to stay.

This was gas fired and came on automatically at night. Needed, as temperature dropped to 35.

Slocum's:
When we checked in Slocum's was recommended as a place to eat. The food was good , but the really interesting thing was that we were there as the 1st live Presidential TV debate was showing on TV.
The man sitting next to Steve at the bar was an obvious Romney supporter (cheering and nods), but the guy on Sue's left said nothing, so we thought he would be a better bet to engage in conversation. and so it turned out to be. He was a commercial photographer from Los Angeles, and although we were no nearer to knowing his voting intentions at the end (though he did think Obama would win but would make a poor president), his views on the American economy and America's place in the world today were very interesting. To watch American TV you would think the rest of the world didn't exist but he at least saw beyond that.

Starkweather Lake
Having checked into the B and B, had a bit of a rest and then gone for the 'complementary hors d'oeuvres' provided (cheese and crackers and a chance to chat with other guests), it was well after 5p.m. when we set off for the Devil's Postpile.
On our way we passed the stunning Starkweather Lake.

Devil's Postpile
This rock formation of near-perfect straight-sided hexagonal posts was created by volcanic heat and pressure, and it was well worth the rush to get here before it got dark.

It was almost dark by the time we were leaving and Sue saw what she is sure was a bear run across the road!

Mammoth Lakes Loop
The next morning it was coolish but whose spirits wouldn't be lifted by a sight like Lake Mary?

Mammoth City
At the height of the boom there were 20 different small mines operating and a sizeable town grew calling itself 'Mammoth City'. Very little remains.

There was, though, a grave marked of a miner's wife.

Inyo Craters
Just north of Mammoth Lakes is the site of one of the last notable volcanic events in the mammoth area, 550 to 650 years ago.
We parked and set off, as we thought, to walk to the crater but there was no sign of it about a mile later, though we did see some magnificent deer. We traipsed back to the car park only the find the right path. But if we'd taken the right way at first we'd have missed our conversation with a charming couple from Los Angeles who told us that the American seismic authorities were currently worried about the readings coming from the area around the crater, fearing something nasty could be on the way soon!

June Lake Loop
This 15 mile scenic drive gave us a fully-fledged 'alpine experience'. There are 4 fabulous lakes on the route, starting with the beautiful June Lake which, unfortunately we weren't able to photograph as it came upon us suddenly and we couldn't stop with cars up our tail.