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!

Hot Off the Easel at the Lodge

Joe Mancuso has been up at Rock Creek this week, painting en plein air in spite of the cold weather.  I thought I'd share the paintings he posted on his blog, Painting Every Day.

A Chance of Snow 8x6 Oil

October 4:  "While this image is being posted, it is snowing outside my cabin. This was painted yesterday in the high sierras of California. There have been very few times that it has been as cold while I've painted on location. The wind was blowing and the weather forecast was calling for a chance of snow. I loved it. This morning I awoke to snow on the ground. A treat for this southern Californian. This piece is available at Rock Creek Lodge."

October Snow 6x8 Oil

October 7:  "Last Monday morning, I awoke to a temperature of 8 degrees. It had warmed up to a balmy 17 by the time I began painting this piece. Although there have been times when it can be too much to deal with, I enjoy painting in extreme weather conditions because it is part of the excitement of working on location. I love to see if I can capture the moment. This piece is available at Rock Creek Lodge."

Rock Creek in the Gilroy Dispatch

Just ran across this article on the Gilroy Dispatch Web site...

Getting out: The eastern Sierra Nevada

Aug 20, 2009
By Ron Erskine

There are countless places to take in breathtaking views when visiting the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range. Photo by: Ron Erskine

If you travel the world in search of grand mountain scenery - the Alps, the Andes, the Himalayas - you will see nothing more spectacular than the views available from your car window in the eastern Sierra Nevada.

This is not chamber of commerce hyperbole. Between Bridgeport in the north and Lone Pine in the south, U.S. Highway 395 traces the eastern escarpment of the Sierra. The mountain range has risen abruptly along faults in the east resulting in a profile that tilts gently to the west and drops dramatically to the east. So, as you drive Highway 395, peaks rising 10,000 feet above you appear nearly within reach.

The first time I drove this road, it was a revelation. Until that time, my adventures in the Sierra had been on the gentle western slope. When I finally saw such monumental topography in the mountain range I thought I knew, I was astounded. How could I have lived nearly my entire life in this state and not know this was here?

There is a catch however - it's a bit of a drive. Tioga Pass through Yosemite and the next pass north, Sonora Pass, are beautiful roads, but twisting and slow, and they are closed in winter. So, as you face the six-hour drive to the Lee Vining and Mono Lake, remember what's in store, then go to your "happy place" knowing that several RV's will be modulating your pace along the way.

There are many guidebooks and natural history books about the east side, but the one essential item you need is AAA's "Guide to the Eastern Sierra." In its folds are four large maps detailing sections of Highway 395 and the various spur roads that turn off the highway to Sierra trailheads. It also lists campgrounds, fishing information, and points of information. There are countless places to visit and a lifetime of exploring to do, so let's get started.

After five hours, you will finally reach Tioga Pass and the 9,941-foot Sierra crest. Here will be your introduction to the steep eastern escarpment. In the next 10 minutes and six miles, you will descend very steeply to the town of Lee Vining, losing much of the elevation it has taken so long to gain.

In Lee Vining, visit the Mono Lake Committee bookstore and information center, and a couple miles north of town, the Mono Lake Visitor Center. The Mono Lake Committee led the fight to save Mono Lake, and from its great selection of books, you can find the right one to guide your explorations. The Mono Lake Visitor Center commands a wonderful view of the lake and also has a great selection of local guidebooks.

Each spur road off of Highway 395 into the mountains is a doorway to true wonders, but one stands above all for easy access to stunning scenery. Fifteen miles south of Mammoth Lakes is Tom's Place. Leave Highway 395 here and drive 11 miles up lovely Rock Creek to the 10,255-foot Mosquito Flat trailhead at the end of the road. This is the entrance to Little Lakes Valley and one of the most spectacularly scenic areas anywhere. After walking up a short rise, breathtaking views appear up the valley to Bear Creek Spire and Mount Abbot (both are roughly 13,700 -feet tall).

Take the easy walk along this chain of lakes as far as your stamina permits. Looking up at the magnificent peaks or down at the changing lakes and the cascades that link them, every step is truly magical.

Your exploration of the east side has begun. There's a lot left to do, and that's good news.


Ron Erskine writes an outdoors column every Friday for the Dispatch. He can be reached at ronfoxtail@msn.com.

http://www.gilroydispatch.com/sports/258653-getting-out-the-eastern-sierra-nevada

Robys in Mammoth/Rock Creek

As mentioned in my last post, my parents and I went to Mammoth for a brief visit at the beginning of August. Our first morning we canoed around Lake Mary in the old blue and white canoe from the lodge. Yes, it still gets occasional use, but it's getting heavier and heavier the older we get, so I'm not sure we'll be using it much longer. This is Rusty, keeping a close watch on the paddles; he was determined to catch one of those darn things.

A few years ago my parents switched to kayaking. So much lighter and easier to transport! I got to test-drive my dad's at Twin Lakes while he stayed on shore. As you can see, Mom is an old pro in hers.

Saturday night the Von Rohr family (3 generations) joined us for dinner at Slocums. Naturally, there was nonstop reminiscing about "the good old days." And it sounds as if Eric and Mark are doing a great job introducing Eric's kids to all the things we used to do together, even rebuilding our forts.

We finally got our dose of Rock Creek on Sunday. With two aging and unpredictable dogs in tow, we decided that a quick jaunt to Serene would be enough (I have carried 30-lb. Rusty down the McGee Creek trail—not fun). Serene is still one of the most vivid places in my memories, but none of us had been there in ages. As expected, nothing has changed; it still lives up to its name...

We circled the lake and then simply enjoyed the tranquility for a while.

Afterward we did a brief cruise of Mosquito Flats and around the lake, then headed to the Lake Store for pie. YUM. We also drove through the lodge grounds and stopped briefly to say hello again to the Von Rohrs. We checked out the changes in Cabin 11. Different, but nice. I was pleased to see a painting by Joe Mancuso on the wall.

Every time I go back it does get easier, but it still wrenches emotions. Every square inch of the grounds and beyond holds so many memories and they all suddenly come rushing back. It's amazing how minute details from 30+ years ago can remain burned so clearly in one's mind.

As we were driving out, I remarked how much the meadow has returned to forest. Remember when it was just open grass, filled with shooting stars?

Long time no see...

Any of you who spent a good deal of time at the lodge over the years likely remembers Leonard Hunsicker. He was officially an employee in 1972, 1975, and 1978, but he spent much more time than that helping us out through the years. When he met his bride-to-be, Ginny Bruce, she also worked at the lodge in 1985. Seems to me the wedding occurred (in Mammoth) around 1988.

They lived in Mammoth for many years, but also spent some time in Colorado. Now they're back in the Eastern Sierra, in Independence. My parents discovered that they were working at a restaurant there called Hooligans, so on our caravan to Mammoth last week, we stopped for lunch to say hello. None of us can even remember the last time I'd seen them. Let's just say it's been way too long. Of course, none of us has changed a bit!

So... if you are headed through Independence any time soon, you now know where to stop for an excellent meal. Hooligans is across the street from the court house. With Leonard as chef and Ginny as server, you can't go wrong. Our lunch on the shaded patio was delicious and a nice respite from the road. And it's always fun to see familiar faces from the past...