On the road with Cactus Kate and Bajada Bill–Gardnerville NV to the High Sierra

Greetings, friends and family–I’m typing by the light of a Luci lantern, an inflatable solar light. We’ve been camping since Sept. 27 at Keough’s Hot Springs south of Bishop CA. Yup–I’ve written about the place before. Each time we’re here it’s a peak experience. Photos will tell the story.

Visit with Carolyn and Pat Lewis, Pat’s 99-year-young mom Alice Garcia in Gardnerville NV. After dinner we watched a John Ford movie with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara: The Quiet Man. Great classic! When we said goodbye to Carolyn and Pat, Pat mentioned how he hopes for a world where there is less hate. Amen, Brother! We love this couple and their family.

Virginia Lakes and Convict Lake–the aspens have begun showing their neon colors and we are seduced by the High Sierra

Bishop CA September 21. Produce at Apple Hill Ranch, picnic in the aspen along Bishop Creek, South Lake.Picnic lunch every day from Mahogany Smoked Meats.

Bill’s reward for time spent in the high country:

High holy ground at 10,000+ Feet: Rock Creek Lake Mono Pass Trail. Big steps stretch our hips.

On various nights we were sandwiched between a big family reunion  and a 9-year-old birthday party for Aurora given by her papa and his partying friends. Sunday night a trio of Germans rode in on their bicycles after flying into San Francisco. They plan to ride through Death Valley to Las Vegas. We were most grateful for our camp neighbors next door, Lisa and Jeff Richmond from Pollack Pines CA. We’ve visited with them each night.

Monday, Sept. 30 we did laundry $2 for wash and $2 for dry at Browns Town Campground, which also owns Keough’s Hot Springs. While laundry was going we walked around Bishop’s back streets and came across a community art building. Love the big mural, as well as the interpretations of High Sierra wildflowers on the wall around the corner.

On our last day in the high country, we drove up to the wilderness of Big Pine Creek out of Big Pine. We experienced satori in this beautiful rugged landscape. After this we bought delicious barbecued tri-tip from Copper Top BBQ in Big Pine, which we savored with farm tomatoes and romaine. So grateful for this good fare and having a nice visit with Lisa and Jeff, who have raised our awareness about the joy of E-bikes.