Bodie Ghost Town

From Yosemite, Josh and I took the Tioga Pass Road (still open in early October) to Lee Vining, then a short trip north on Hwy. 395 to Bodie. Bodie is an original mining town from the late 1800’s. What’s left today stands in a state of “arrested decay” and is maintained by the California State Parks System, who took over the town in 1962 to make it a State Historic Park.

Typical Bodie interior. Most buildings look like they were abandoned without a backwards glance.

"Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom". (Ps. 90:12)

The Bodie Methodist Church, built in 1882

The Bodie Methodist church was one of two churches in town - the other being Roman Catholic. In addition to the churches, there were at least 65 saloons, numerous brothels and opium dens, and a number of gambling establishments. Plenty of diversions to separate the miners from their money!

The Standard Mine stamping mill in the windows of the Boone store and warehouse.

Winch used to raise and lower miners into the hard rock shafts, and to lift ore from the mines.

The Standard Mine stamping mill. In its heyday, the mill processed more than $14 million worth of gold and silver in 25 years. This remains the most in-tact stamping mill in California. It's open for guided tours only, and we missed the tour se… — The Standard Mine stamping mill. In its heyday, the mill processed more than $14 million worth of gold and silver in 25 years. This remains the most in-tact stamping mill in California. It's open for guided tours only, and we missed the tour season!

Mono Lake

We visited Mono Lake on our way back from Bodie. It's a fascinating area and I wish we would have had more time to enjoy the solitude and walk the shoreline. Our plans for some sunrise images didn't pan out, but we were able to catch some moonset pictures of an (almost) full moon. This is definitely a place I want to visit again. If you're in the area, Nicely's Restaurant in Lee Vining serves a great breakfast.

Lying at the edge of the arid Great Basin and the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains in California, Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake that covers over 70 square miles and supports a unique and productive ecosystem. The lake has no fish; instead it is home to trillions of brine shrimp and alkali flies. Freshwater streams feed Mono Lake, supporting lush riparian forests of cottonwood and willow along their banks. Along the lake shore, scenic limestone formations known as tufa towers rise from the water's surface. Millions of migratory birds visit the lake each year.

Tufa towers are formed when underwater springs pump calcium-saturated water through the lake bed. When the spring water meets the alkaline lake water, calcium and carbonate salts react to form insoluble calcium carbonate (limestone), which precipitates out, settling in mineral deposits around the spring. When the lake level drops, these tufa towers are exposed.

Yosemite

The park was beautiful. Crowds were bigger than we anticipated, but it's prime climbing season and people from all over the world come to challenge the big granite walls of Yosemite. The week before our arrival, rock falls from El Capitan injured several climbers/hikers; sadly, one died.

The weather was glorious! Sunny days and cool, clear nights. A few controlled burns were smoldering, creating some smoke. But it was generally clear as long as the wind was favorable. Most all of the water falls were still active, which I've been told is unusual for this late in the year.

These images aren't very original - many artists over the years have captured the beauty of Yosemite infinitely better. But the views are so breathtaking, it's hard not to try and capture it, even imperfectly.

Half Dome and Tenaya Canyon from Glacier Point

Above - El Capitan and the Merced River in Yosemite ValleyLeft - Half Dome and Mirror Lake — Above - El Capitan and the Merced River in Yosemite Valley
Left - Half Dome and Mirror Lake

We stayed at Big Trees Lodge, one of the oldest mountain resort hotels in California, and a classic of Victorian era resort design. Built in 1876, it is one of the few historical period hotels still standing within Yosemite National Park's boundaries. The rooms are furnished consistent with the Victorian period; antique furniture and no telephones or televisions.

The rooms were comfortable and kind of a nice change of pace from more modern hotels.

We waited for our dinner in the large lobby, drinking cocktails and listening to piano music. Definitely an early 20th century atmosphere - but very pleasant.