High Sierra Corridor (Bishop and Mammoth Lakes, California)

Hello, High Sierras! Hello, California Cuisine! It was a welcome change to roll into the California mountains with their cooler temperatures, smells of pine and vanilla, and liberal sensibilities. We hadn’t seen so many people wearing masks in weeks.

We had quiet and beautiful campsite here in a spot called Old Shady Rest which we used a as our base to explore the area a little bit and prepare for our long, upcoming stay, in Yosemite.

On a friend’s suggestion, we sought a spot called Wild Willy’s Natural Hot Springs, a man made pool that pulls water from a nearby thermal spring. It was nearly empty and very beautiful, except for a naked man sitting in the tub when we arrived. I happily asked if we could join him and with only one “are you kidding me?” look from Norah, we all got in the pool.

After having a nice therapeutic soak, we drove to nearby Convict Lake for a picnic lunch and then rented kayaks and went out for an hour or so on another nearby mountain lake called Mary’s Lake.

The whole area is beautiful, with a relaxed California vibe. If we lived nearer, I think this place would be a sort of magnet for us. I’m glad we got to see this little corner of California. I’m not sure if - or when - we’ll be back.