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Please click here for Part Three
Changing Plans
The southern half of the Buttermilk Road loop was tedious and tiresome; just something to get through. We slowly made our way south on 395 until we reached Independence where we turned onto Onion Valley Road. We had the time, as storm continued to build, to look for dispersed campsites.
The area is impacted by its proximity to the southern California urban centers. It was busier than we expected. We found a spot along the water ditch that diverts every drop of water from Pinyon Creek to Los Angeles. We cleaned up the remains – broken tent, cooking stuff, trash – from a previous camper, and set up. After bundling up, we walked to the end of the road into Pinyon Canyon and then continued down the flood plain out of the canyon. We envied the sun to the south.
We were amazed a van, during our absence, had pulled in on the opposite side of the ditch and parked for the night within 30 feet of our truck. It was something we would have never done to a fellow traveler in a dispersed campsite.
We decided, since we were only here overnight, we’d go on with our normal activities as if the van was not right next to us. Besides, as the Lady said, “It’s rare van people ever get out of their van.” We warmed up our shower water on the stove, set up our mat outside, a step from our camper door, and took turns pouring water over each other for our quick primitive showers. We showed him.
It was clear at dawn, a beautiful morning with only a wisp of clouds on the Sierra crest. We knew that would not last long.
We spent the morning up Mazourka Canyon Road across Owens Valley into the Inyo Mountains. It was a scouting expedition for future trips. Soon clouds shrouded both the Inyos and Sierra.
Continuing the theme of the Carson & Colorado Railroad, we stopped at the site of Kearsarge Station.
Rain pounded on the windshield as we pulled into the park on the north side of Lone Pine before noon. We had headed south, enticed by the view from the previous evening, to avoid storm. It was not working out. Seeing there was a laundromat across the street, we picked plan B and scored the last available room in the historic section of the Dow Villa. We were not aware this was a Saturday – on top of that, the last Saturday in April and the traditional opening day of trout fishing, a huge deal in the Owens Valley. It was raining so the bars, cafes, motels were packed. But not the laundromat so we blissfully took care of domestic chores.
The text messages started coming to the Lady’s phone shortly after sending our “camped here for the night” InReach message that indicated we were back at the Dow Villa. Would we hear more noises in the night – loud lovemaking in a nearby room – as happened on our last stay? “We hope not,” we replied. “But if we do, we’ll give you a call and put it on speaker phone.” It was a delightfully quiet night at the Dow.
Our plans were to go north and into western Nevada, but forecasts indicated continued storm that direction. We’d stay in the Owens Valley area for another day and watch for improving weather. Mid-morning we returned to Bishop and visited Laws Railroad Museum north of town.
Laws was a depot stop on the Carson & Colorado Railroad.
The station depot.
Inside the depot is a model train display. The switch did not work to turn it on. The Lady was disappointed.
The engine house for repair and maintenance.
The railroad area.
Our reason for visiting was to see the Armstrong turntable that Sagebrush Reconnoiterer described in Part Two.
The central pivot.
An outward wheel
It would be fun to have a yearly event here with a turntable competition. Put an engine and tender on the turntable and have four person teams vie for the fastest time rotating the locomotive 180°.
Many historic buildings have been moved to Laws.
The buildings are placed as a historic downtown and has been used as a movie set, including the 1966 film, Nevada Smith.
The Carson & Colorado transported the ceramic minerals from the famous Champion Spark Plug Mine north of Bishop.
The replica 20 mule team borax wagon is stored at Laws and is on display.
Along with an impressive display devoted to mules.
Laws Museum is a great stop and we highly recommend it when in the Bishop area. The Lady checked her phone as we pulled out of the parking lot. “A notice says they just opened Emigrant Canyon Road in Death Valley,” the Lady announced. “So, we can get to the Wildrose Charcoal Kilns.” I added. An idea was rolling around in my brain. “Check the weather forecast for Panamint Valley for this afternoon and tonight,” I asked. These cell phones can be handy to have. “72° today, 48° overnight, clear.”
“So, we can sleep with all the windows open for a change. You’ve wanted to hike to the top of Wildrose Peak. Change of plans, we can make it to Panamint Valley to overnight, and then on into the National Park.”
You can imagine the Lady’s smile. A change of plans.
Our adventure continues. Please click here for Part Five.
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