Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Travel day

I finished the video I'd been working on and got the DVD shipped out. I was free to head wherever. I chose south.

Oh, sure, it would have been quicker to take I-80 to Reno and pick up US395 there, but I took the slower scenic route past Lake Tahoe.

And it would have been quicker to take US50 out of Tahoe, but I took NV207 instead. Not the best choice, what with construction delays and a 25mph speed limit all through Minden. But I had time and patience.

I had never been on the stretch of 395 between Carson City and Mammoth Lakes. It was quite nice, a change from the dense pine forests of Truckee.

At the Mono Lake overlook. Gee, I would've brought some stickers if I'd known.

I have a guide to boondocking along the east side of the Sierras. It pointed me to some spots by Mono Lake. Cool. It took some wandering and backtracking (the "abandoned buildings" aren't abandoned anymore) but I found a sweet spot near a creek and with a bit of a view of the lake.

It was early in the evening by the time I got to the site, so sightseeing will need to wait until tomorrow. The drawback of being on the east side of the mountains is the sun sets earlier.

From the parking lot of the South Tufa. I didn't have time to walk down.

7 comments:

  1. loisAugust 19, 2014 at 8:06 PM

    I hope you enjoy the Eastern Sierra! I'm thinking of heading that way soon - do you think the boondocking book would be a good resource for me, towing my little trailer? I'm always paranoid about getting down a road I can't turn around in. Many times I've been wishing I didn't have that little ting behind me...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Al ChristensenAugust 19, 2014 at 8:23 PM

      http://www.frugal-rv-travel.com/RV-Travel-Guide.html

      These guides are written by a lady who travels in a class-A. So none of the recommendations are too rugged. She notes when there are exceptions. The site I'm at right now was down a couple of miles of wide, fairly smooth dirt road.

      They're digital books. If you decide to get one, there are two CA versions -- Western Sierras and the Coast, and Eastern Sierras and the desert.

      Oh, and she answers email, like the nice, polite Canadian she is.

      Delete
    2. LoisAugust 20, 2014 at 11:12 AM

      Thanks, Al! Sounds like something that'll be worthwhile to get.

      Delete
    3. AnonymousAugust 20, 2014 at 11:56 AM

      I believe that she still travels in a class-B, but she makes note of how big the sites are for those who drive bigger vehicles. And yes, she does answer emails.

      Ming

      Delete
  2. AnonymousAugust 20, 2014 at 11:57 AM

    do you find her guides useful? I'm thinking of getting a bundle of them.

    Ming

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    Replies
    1. Al ChristensenAugust 20, 2014 at 12:00 PM

      Actually, yesterday was the first time I'd used one to find a specific campsite. But I've referred to them before for some general information about routes and locales.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 20, 2014 at 3:52 PM

      thanks. I've learned to love using guides and maps to plan my trips. I'm lost without them. I am looking to get a bunch for the western US and start being a snowbird.

      Ming

      Delete

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