Very cool. I am going to check all of this out. Thanks!
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Very cool. I am going to check all of this out. Thanks!
I made this trip last year in the other direction.
Go into Alabama Hills just West of Lone Pine. It leads up to the access to Mt Whitney. Mt Whitney is the highest point in lower 48 states. On the way up stop and read the plaque dedicated to all the gteat "B" cowboy stars that made countless movies here,aslo movie "Gunga Din". I think Roy Rogers made the presentation. Back in Lone Pine there is an old motel with cowboy actors carved their in the walls, including the greatone - John Wayne.
I have not visited Bodie Ca just North of MonoLake. Represented to be the largest.
So much to see.I envy you.
J Graham
Bodie is a ghost town. I'm a terrible typist
J Graham
Bodie, may not be the "largest" ghost town -- but it is one of the best preserved. It also has the absolute worst washboard you will ever find on the drive in. I am a firm believer in the notion that no speed is too fast when it comes to driving on washboard (anthing to get over that axle-pounding) -- Bodie is CERTAINLY worth a stop. It is also very cool in the winter when the washboard is covered in ice...
One of our road trip friends is now doing tours to Bodie, for more infomation check out <a href = "http://www.terrishistorictours.com/">Terri Geissinger's<a/> site.
Excellent catch on the Alabama Hills drive -- it really looks like just about every Western movie you have ever seen was shot there!
Mark
The road to bodie isn't that bad. Any passenger car can do it. They must've graded it recently, because I didn't even think much about it. I was there about this time last year, very nice weather, but i heard it can get really bad when it snows (4wd w/chains required). Mono lake is also worth a visit, and not that far off the 395.
True, they grade it at least once every season. Glad to know that it was smooth for you. Passenger cars are fine -- but in my experience, it has been remarkably washboard rough every time I have been there. I would actually choose the 4-WD road in to avoid that graded washboard.
I cannot tell you how helpful this forum was. I left Reno bright and early Sunday morning. . went over to Lake Tahoe and had breakfast and then headed to 395S into Bodie. Bodie was absolutely the favorite part of my trip. I spent 2 hours there and could have spent the whole day. It was incredible. I got back on 395 and headed to Mono Lake. . Very cool place. On my way to Bishop I passed 120 and Tioga Pass. . . I couldn't pass it up. This completely took me off my planned route but I had to drive it. I've not seen a lot but Yosemite was absolutely the prettiest thing I've ever seen. The drive was gorgeous the problem was it dumped me out in the middle of the state. Cotton fields and Olive trees for 3 hours. I decided to head to the coast and spent the night in King City. Early Monday morning I headed to Monterey, had breakfast in Big Sur and then drove PCH all the way to Santa Barbara.
1000 miles and 26 hours later I had seen a ton of California. It was gorgeous. I will be back and will stay with the desert drive next time.
Thanks for all the help.
Bill,
1000 miles in 26 hours -- very impressive! Sounds like another perfect road trip experience. Thanks for touching base with us.
The next time you visit the western slope of the Sierras -- you really need to drive the <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/drives/ca49.htm">Gold Rush Trail<a/> (you can still see those cotton fields -- but from afar and there is still plenty of gold in them fer hills.
When you get home... we would love to have road trip field trip from the Tennessee hill country. Also, one of our favorite hunting areas for <a href = "http://www.roadtripamerica.com/signs/signs.htm">Funny Road Signs!<a/> Although, we haven't published one yet from Nashville -- maybe you can find us one!
Thanks again,
Mark
How was the road into Bodie this time of year? I was talking to my friend about it, he also mentioned how bad of a washboard road it was. I must've gotten really lucky last time and come right after they graded it, it was pretty smooth the whole way in. It was also relatively busy too, with the parking lots almost full.
Did you walk around Mono lake? And see the carpet of flies on the shore?