California road trip - updated w/ pics

Naio wrote:
I am still following along eagerly :)

Thanks - started a random project today, bought my daughter new bed room furniture and started painting the room Gray. I'll post in a bit.

I am still following along eagerly :)

Hap Hazard wrote:
The Mono County Tourism Commission would like to offer you a position as a spokesperson for the county.

To bad you've done everything and seen everything to do in the Eastern Sierra's and now have no reason to come back. Maybe you'll just like to comeback and relax. Or you might visit the second week of October to taken in the fall colors.

Glad you had a good time.
Hap

Hap - we had a great time Thanks - there's still lots to do and more lakes we want to see. :)

If you paddle or boat Gull lake - on the other side there is a tree with a rope, kids can swing off into the water. Bring a chair and hangout there's enough room to relax.

Paddling gull lake - don't forgot to grab some free Popcorn :) they also offer free boat launch.




Gull lake is the smallest of the 4 lakes in the June lake loop.






About 4 miles from Golden pines on HWY 158 right next to silver lake CG you will find Frontier Pack train Horse back riding. We did a 1 hour ride - staff was great and the kids loved it.








During the ride a deer jumped out of the shrubs and scared the **** out of the horse nicole was riding - horse jumped then mine jumped was a lil shook - thought the horse was going to bolt!

The Mono County Tourism Commission would like to offer you a position as a spokesperson for the county.

To bad you've done everything and seen everything to do in the Eastern Sierra's and now have no reason to come back. Maybe you'll just like to comeback and relax. Or you might visit the second week of October to taken in the fall colors.

Glad you had a good time.
Hap

After a bite to eat and a shower we headed back out to Lee Vining to see the upside down house and Museum. Small museum and small park but fun lil Spot to spend an hour or two. Right around the corner (walking distance) is Mono Cone - old fashion burgers and ice cream cones, we are suckers for ice cream so we had to stop by.

Inside the Museum

We stayed one week at Golden Pines RV park in the June lake loop - full hookups has laundry showers some games and books you can borrow, cool lil RV park nice and clean. It is located in between Gull lake and June lake, more closer to gull lake maybe like 100yards to marina - June lake marina is Also walking distance just a bit further. In the June lake loop there is June lake / gull lake / silver lake and grant lake. It's about 15mins to Lee Vining and about 30 minutes to Mammoth and about 1hr 30 mins to Yosemite. June lake loop is a Small town with cool shops And lots to Do in the area. The RV park office has 1/2 off Coupons for boat rentals at gull lake which is pretty cool. Theres a sink for fish cleaning and a freezer to store your catch. All sites are back In and any site is a good site, nice small and clean CG.

While at Golden pines we signed up at the Library down by the marina as Visitors and checked out DVDs. We love threft Stores and there was one next door but it's only open like one day a week and we missed it.



just hanging out at gull lake




We drove down to Mono Lake Visitor center before we checked out the Mono Lake State Natural Reserve. From the rv park the south tufa towers is closer (east on hwy120) leaving the visitors center you have to drive back on 395 south to the towers, but the visitor center is worth the extra drive.

Pic from the back of the visitor center

Warning! Lots of Salt.



Pic from Navy beach, as you enter the south tufa area on the dirt road on the right, you will see a small sign that says Navy beach 4x4 only. This is the place to launch your kayaks, paddle boards etc. it's about 1/4 mile walk to the tufas. Although the sign says 4x4 only - the dirt is compact enough for cars. Otherwise you will have to pay a day use fee in the parking lot and have a further walk with your kayaks.



Walking the trail.







Went for a swim and came out super crusty, lots of Salt! My whole body looked Iike that, went back to camp to shower.


Headed out



The wind can kicks up in the afternoons so we didn't launch the kayaks - would have been a tough paddle for the kids to paddle upwind. Mornings would be ideal to launch.

Heading out we seen a sign that said Panum crater - we turned to scope it out, all dirt road but car accessible too.





Unfortunately we didn't walk the trail - by this time the girls were Hungry and a bit tired.

dedmiston wrote:
Great trip pics.

I've only gone parasailing in Mexico where the equipment and operators are super sketchy. Yours looks a lot more fun.

Going to Mexico alone is Super sketchy :) - we have family in Mazatlan, they insist we go visit.

Great trip pics.

I've only gone parasailing in Mexico where the equipment and operators are super sketchy. Yours looks a lot more fun.

Naio wrote:
Bummed that the trip is done, or did something bad happen? I hope all is fine!

bummed it ended, all went well. We don't want to be home! Lol