Speaking of 1969...

Check out this snow bunny! Ha! Just ran across this in a box of old photos.

Yes, this is me on June 9, 1969, according to the handwriting on the back, which looks like my Grandpa Clarence's (Mom's dad).  He was obviously there helping to open as usual (and this particular year, rebuild buildings). So when did I make my first appearance at Rock Creek? 

Two years earlier, in 1967, when I was just months old. Looks like a proud Papa, huh? And I look as if I'm still trying to figure out where I am. Mom will show me around...

By later that summer, I seem to have settled in...

And by the next year, 1968, I own the place! Look out, here I come...

"I like it here, Daddy!"

In 1971, I am Susie Homemaker, busy with one of my favorite activities, making mud pies.

"Coffee, anyone?"

But wait... now there's someone else hogging the sandbox! One-year-old Kib Jr. interrupts my peace...

and it seems he's decided he likes it here too. (Or is that a scream?)

And this is how it was for the next few years until we were allowed to roam on our own. We spent countless hours in this sandbox and on the slide that dumped into it. And throughout the summer, a stream of other children joined us there. I can almost still taste that wonderful dirt.

Winter Makes a Statement

Originally, the Lodge was open only during the summer months. My dad and a helper or two would head up in May to do all the preparation necessary to open the cabins, store, and dining room for our summer guests. Surprisingly, for all the years our family owned the place, little damage occurred while it sat unoccupied through the winter.

But 1969 was different. It was a year of record snowfall, and my dad arrived to find that the unusually deep, heavy snow had caved in the roofs of the kitchen/dining room and my parents' cabin. This would require a bit more work than expected! But with the help of Uncle Bob Clark, the buildings were quickly repaired and life went on as usual. (I should note that someone had the wisdom to use metal roofing that would better shed the snow in the future.) I recently ran across these photos of the damage:

the dining room side

the kitchen side

ripped the cabin apart!

P.S.  I thought this was amusing when I was talking to my dad about this recently... apparently someone from the Forest Service informed him that our buildings had been damaged. His response was that he was well aware of that fact because he had already repaired them! Were they seriously thinking they were being helpful? Or were they hoping to hear that we would not rebuild?

Historic Photos Restored!

Before the exciting visual part, a bit of history. When we sold the Lodge, my dad allowed us to take only a few things; we had sold the place "as is," which included furniture, linens, etc. This was difficult for me, because I knew that many of the furnishings had come from family members' homes over the years. How to leave behind all that personal history (even if my dad, and probably others, considered it junk)?

I carefully selected and negotiated so that I could have the most significant things to forever remind me of my home. Remember the old hand-tinted photos that hung in the Lobby? They were at the top of my list. The one most people probably recall was hanging over the fireplace, with the antlers. It was of Serene Lake. In fact, here it is with us Robys (early 1980s). The other two were of Box Lake and Mono Pass.

For all these years they were stored at my parents' house, but a few months ago they started nagging at me and I had my mom unearth them. Boy, were they in worse shape than we remembered! Over forty years of fireplace smoke and neglect had really taken a toll. Chris and I debated what to do about it and ultimately decided that since they probably couldn't get any worse, we would ask the guy who cleans paintings for us see what he could do with them. Well... we could not believe our eyes. Here are the results! (Click on the images to view them full-size.)

Serene Lake, "before"

Serene Lake, "after"

Box Lake, "before"

Box Lake, "after"

Mono Pass, "after"
(we didn't take a "before" of this one because it was not as damaged)

All three of these photos were taken by the renowned Burton Frasher, which helped me identify what year this one of Mono Pass was taken. We collect Frasher postcards, so I knew the Pomona Public Library has a collection online. Sure enough, look what I found there...

"On Mono Pass Overlooking Rock Creek Basin "

Courtesy, Frasher Foto Postcard Collection, Pomona Public Library

That's Burton Frasher with his camera. By closely comparing the patches of snow, we quickly concluded that our photo was taken during this very photography session, in 1927! I haven't run across the other two yet, so their origin remains a mystery. I guess we can assume they were taken during a similar time period. My dad is pretty sure all of them were already at the Lodge when my grandparents bought it in 1947.

Isn't this fun?!

If you're interested in photography, I highly recommend visiting the online Frasher Foto Postcard Collection. There are over 5,000 images, including many fantastic Sierra scenes. You can narrow the results by choosing decades or using search terms (like Rock Creek). This page provides a biography and description of his amazing career.

Needless to say, I am thrilled to have this part of my history back in my life and I hope you have enjoyed this "before" and "after" tale.

1900s Photos on eBay

Wow!  Someone is currently selling over 30 photos of "cowboys" or packers in the backcountry, like the one above, and other scenes around the Bishop/Mammoth area taken in the very early 1900s.  The information is not any more specific than that, but Devil's Postpile is certainly recognizable, as you can see below.  Some of you may be able to identify other locations.  Just thought I'd share in case anyone wants to take a peek before they sell (too pricy for me).  The auctions end in four days, so be quick!  Enjoy...

http://shop.ebay.com/amdatial/m.html?_nkw=1900%27s+sierra&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313&_sop=12&_odkw=1900%27s+sierra&_osacat=0

A Photo to Share

I am happy to say that this humble little blog is starting to fulfill its purpose (hurray!).  I was contacted this week by Jim Bull, Jr., whose family stayed in Cabin 7 at the Lodge in the 1950s and '60s.  He ran across the blog and sent this wonderful photo taken in front of the store in 1961 or '62.

Left to right: brother Ben Bull, mother Libby Bull, and Jim Bull, Jr.

The photo was taken by his dad, Jim Bull, Sr.

Jim, thank you so much for sharing.  I love hearing about people's experiences and comparing notes on who remembers what (or not!).

I also received a message from Tina (Ferrara) Trotta, who says she visits the blog regularly and enjoys the photos, new and vintage.  Like so many others, she grew up visiting Rock Creek and continues to; she even ran into my parents on the trail in Little Lakes Valley a couple years ago.  Thanks for contacting me, Tina; it was fun catching up.

I am so pleased that others are enjoying this virtual trip down memory lane.  Anyone else out there ready to share?...

Sierra Splendor

I realized I haven't posted anything in a while, so I thought I'd share a couple photos taken on December 28. I shot these from the car as we were heading south in the early morning after a trip to Mammoth. This kind of scenery is what makes it so difficult to leave!

Mount Tom

Sierra crest, west of Bishop

Ria Harboe Art in Washington

Those of you who spent time at the lodge in the early 80s may remember Ria Harboe. She is now living in Washington state and we reconnected recently via e-mail. She sent out this announcement about a showing of her art at a restaurant in Bellingham, WA, so I thought I'd share it here in case anyone lives in the area or might be traveling that way. (The restaurant itself sounds like a great place.)

You can also view some of her gorgeous paintings and sculpture on her Web site. It's really nice to see how some of our fellow Rock Creekers have gone on to pursue their passions. Ria, thanks for sharing your talent!