(Late May, 2019) From Lone Pine, California, we made our way north along scenic highway US-395. Our route took us north through the Owens Valley where we enjoyed the stunning scenery of the Eastern Sierras and White Mountains – jagged peaks and rocky slopes mantled with fresh snow.

Weather was nice for the drive – sunny and not too windy, but became increasingly unsettled as we climbed the grades past Bishop and Mammoth. By the time we neared Lee Vining, skies were overcast with some lovely laminar-flow and lenticular clouds and we hit some rain showers as we approached Bridgeport.

At Bridgeport we stayed four-nights at the Paradise Shores RV Park, a campground we had visited several years ago. We were impressed by the improvements made in the park since our last visit. The campground appeared much neater, with fresh gravel, nice landscaping, flagstone paved lounge and fire-pit areas, more rental trailers, and a vintage trailer converted into the park office. Nice!

Highlights of our stay include day-trips to the historic Chemung Mine, Mono Lake, and Lee Vining. At Lee Vining we visited a favorite eatery – the Whoa Nelly Deli. Yum! We were also shocked by the high gas prices at both Lee Vining and Bridgeport well over $5 per gallon. Yikes!

I visited the Chemung Mine in the late afternoon for sunset shots and maybe some night photography. I was saddened and angered to see how much vandalism had occurred at the site since our last visit. Large sections of the buildings had collapsed – apparently largely due to support beams and posts having be shot to pieces by rifle and shotgun fire. Planks and beams had also been stripped and burned in bonfires. I really wonder how many more years these buildings will stand.

Night photography was a bust due to moonless overcast skies, freezing temperatures and gusty winds. Here are more photos from around the Bridgeport area.

Late Season Snowfall & Onward to Truckee…

As alluded to above, weather conditions deteriorated during our stay in Bridgeport, with some sunny days alternating with cold temperatures, strong winds, and occasional rain and snow showers.

Indeed, on the last night of our stay a late season snowstorm swept through the area, dumping maybe six-inches of show on us. We awoke to a crisp winter wonderland – lovely, but we were concerned about travel conditions.

Fortunately, the snow melted off the park lanes and area roads by the time we packed up and pulled out. The drive to Truckee went well, although we did hit patches of heavy rain and snow showers along the way.

Onward to Petaluma…

Arriving in Truckee, we stayed four-nights at the Truckee River RV Park, a nicely landscaped campground set in the scenic Truckee River canyon. The park is right next to the rushing whitewater Truckee River and is surrounded by the jagged peaks and forested slopes of the Sierra Mountains.

Unsettled weather conditions continued through our stay with daily rain showers and some sleet or snow at night. We stayed close to camp, except for a few trips into Truckee for dinner or groceries.

We also met up with some of Kim’s family – aunt Paula, cousin Bob and his wife Dana, as well as one of their daughters, Lindsay. Kim’s aunt & cousins live not too far from Truckee, but we last saw them at a graduation party in southern California – just before we left for this travel season. It was great to have another opportunity to visit so soon after the last time. We had a nice lunch together in Truckee and a longer visit back at camp. (Paula, Bob, Dana, & Lindsay – it was great to see you, again! We look forward to another visit next time we are in the area.)

Poor weather continued through the morning we were to leave. That morning we learned that the Donner Pass had received heavy snowfall during the night and the I-80 was under chain control travel restrictions. We do not carry chains and would not be able to travel through the pass.

We waited a few hours, occasionally checking the California DOT site for road conditions, until chain controls were lifted. The snow plows, salt/sand, and warmer temperatures had cleared the interstate sufficiently to allow traffic through without chains. Road surfaces were wet and slippery in places, but we made it through without problems. Whew!

The rest of our drive went well – past Sacramento, through the central valley of California, then on winding roads through coastal range – arriving at last in Petaluma. More to follow in the next post…

That’s all for now. Safe travels and enjoy the journey.

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