I said I wasn't going to write a travelogue on this trip home but there are some interesting things to tell you about.
We have been driving 3 days and every day are challenged with terrible strong winds. Thank goodness we have a coach that handles well in the wind. I know Joe was happy to soak in the mineral waters last night. We spent the night at Keoghs Hot Springs just 6 miles south of Bishop, California on Hwy 395. Originally built for a wealthy rancher in the area In 1920, it is now a lovely big pool enjoyed by locals and we passers-by.
Locals were talking about the unusual numbers of the dragonfly moths this year. We had commented on the huge bugs smacking into our windshield! Joe had even mentioned they were as big as hummingbirds! Google them....
North of Bishop we start a long climb up and up along the Eastern Sierra's. We question what all the people do for a living along this highway! At 8032 ft there is a rest stop. The snow is piled 20+ feet at the sides of the parking lot. The wind is howling through the pines and we experienced cold temperatures that we haven't known in years! The highway is dry and clear so that is good.
It is nice to see creeks, rivers and lakes full this year. California finally got their much needed rains and snow! North of Lee Vining - a high-altitude town, we drive out of altitude and into a vast landscape of wild sage and scrub. This is the Mono Basin National reserve. Peaks are still covered in snow and the wind is still smack in our face. It is so rugged and yet so beautiful!
Just passed a sign that warned us of strong crosswinds when light flashing....the light was flashing!! Mountain passes and winds. There are even windsocks on the side of the highway to warn drivers of the direction of these wind gusts!
Climbing again! Looking down into the valley provides a stunning view ! We are at Conway summit 8138 ft. Whew! Thought we might be in the clouds if we had continued climbing!! I hate long downhill descents but this one seems to be steady and no sudden drops... so won't get the Adavan out quite yet!
Leaving California the Eastern Sierra area and the windy and windy mountain passes behind, we find ourselves travelling through wide open valleys framed by very rugged and craggy hills. Every time I drive to and fro Arizona I say how cool it would be to have a geologist along for the ride to explain all this terrain to us. Fresh green leaves are showing on the trees along this valley...a sure sign of spring. The occasional lake we pass has plenty of water.
Entering Nevada, we see the Topaz Lodge and Casino! The gambling state is still offering us plenty of wind to drive in. We've also hit a glitch. Traffic is being diverted due to a serious accident ahead. So we are now headed back east towards Winnemucca in Nevada. Climbing yet another very long hill. A chain up area at the diversion indicated we would have this climb! Not many curves...just straight up and further up to another high and rugged plateau. Then down and further down into a beautiful fertile Nevada valley. Lots of agriculture on the horizon.
In the valley we pass the Wellington school of 1898. A beautifully preserved wooden structure in this sleepy little valley town. Like every little town we drive through, there is the proverbial football field for the local school team. Friday night football is always the weekly event in these small centres.
Farmers are busy at work in the fields and everything is spring green! Approaching another town Yarrington in this green valley, in the blink of an eye it is behind us. But it did have a Pilates studio!! Next to the hardware and farm supply store.. so you could get a tractor tuned up while the attending a Pilates class if you really wanted to !
After a good rainstorm and severe winds, we finally are pulling into Winnemucca for the night. There was a fatality on hwy 395 so we had to change our route due to the highway closure. All is well. This just means we take a different route home .. and tomorrow night is a stop at another favorite hot spring that we have been at a couple of times before. Crystal Crane Hot Springs in the very S.E. corner of Oregon. Short drive tomorrow and a good soak !
