Thursday, October 21, 2010

From the Eastern Sierras to the Old West!

Momma here: seeing so much beauty in a few packed-full days should be criminal, but we indulged! This is Mount Williamson, the second highest peak in the Lower 48. As we drove out of the town of Independence toward the valley below Mt. Williamson, the scenery grew even more breathtaking (and that's no joke!). We were headed for the Kearsage Pass trailhead in Onion Valley (9200 feet) and hike up to Gilbert Lake (at almost 10,000 feet), so the thinner air really did take our breath away. The dogs did really super - it was as if they'd lived here all their lives. Okay Sammie... take it away.

So the above picture is where the trail started and this is Onion Valley. See that ridge up there? That is where we were headed - to a lake. The slideshow at the bottom of this post has lots more pictures of the trail and lake.

On another day, we roadtripped up to Bishop and headed for Rock Creek. No hiking today but a ton of swimming and leaf-peeping for Mom and Dad. Lake Sabrina is a pretty alpine lake that we drove to.

After we left the Bishop area, we headed back to Lone Pine, our HQ, and decided to check out the film museum there, cause on the way to Mount Whitney on the Portal Road, there are a bunch of rocks, collectively called the Alabama Hills. 100s... maybe 1000s of movies and TV shows have been shot there and the museum has a lot of media memorabilia in it. Afterwards, we actually went and explored in and about the rocks and had a great time chasing all manner of furry creatures heheh!

There was a spectacular sunset, and even though it wasn't all pink and orange and rosy, it was very dramatic, just like those spaghetti westerns. You'll see some pictures of that in the slideshow too. The next morning we had to pack up and leave...

This is the cool highway we've been following almost ever since Mohave.

Here we are, traveling north and climbing a pass as we leave Mono Lake, which sits in a valley just east of Yosemite National Park.

That evening, we reached Virginia City - our final destination before driving home the following day. This guy doggehsat us for a while. Look at that gun!

He wasn't a very good doggeh nanny, cause we escaped for a while and got Mom in trouble. Uh oh.
In addition to what we barked below, we suggest you might like to view the show enlarged by clicking on the double squares, lower right. Enjoy!




We know this is a huge post and don't expect you to look at all these pictures, but for those of you who might like to see more of the Eastern Sierra... well, we wanted to share our adventures.




A moment around the campfire... above... and...

...in the spirit of Halloween - the "Bucket of Blooooooooood"!


25 comments:

Elizabeth Bergesen said...

All of your photos are wonderful! What an amazing trip!

Elizabeth & Luna

houndstooth said...

You two visit the coolest places! I envy you!

Bunny

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Wow, what memories you are making!!! you never seem to find a place that isn't beautiful AND fun!!! You sure do have some awesome photos, love the slideshow and the video.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Molly the Airedale said...

Your pictures are just stunning! You sure do visit the most spectacular places!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Oskar said...

Wow the photo's are amazing, so I can't imagine how beautiful it was when you were actually there!

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I felt like I was looking at a magazine reading this post!! What stunning photos, I am really WOW'D by them!! Thanks for sharing!!

Emma Rose said...

We watched the whole slide show and LOVED it!!! The scenery was amazing. The pictures were just wonderful. BRAVO!!!

Kisses,
Emma Rose

KT and Easton said...

Hey 395 was a familiar ribbon of road in the 70s as we traveled from Victorville to Bryant field and back many times. Great pictures, wonderful post. Love those Golden faces.

Stella said...

Thanks for the taking us along on your trip! Some of the prettiest leaf shots I have EVER seen! Those two happy swimmers were fun to watch.

Just a great post and thank you!

Kisses,
Stella

Wyatt said...

You know with a name like Wyatt, that I really like all the cowboy stuff! Thanks fur sharing your Western Holiday!

Wyatt

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

GReat GReat pikhs!

Those are furry scenikh places!

Thanks fur sharing!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

KB said...

Hey Sammie,

Fabulous photos. I love the one of Mt. Williamson and also Lake Sabrina. You're bringing back memories for us - we spent 9 yrs living in the Bay Area and playing out in those Sierra Mountains! My husband was glancing over my shoulder and immediately recognized Mt. Williamson.

I want to watch your slide show but my internet is just too slow right now. I'll be back tomorrow!

What a wonderful whirlwind!

Pat Wahler said...

Wow! Those pictures are picture postcard perfect! They make me want to book a trip out West!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

YD, sometimes with ♥June and ♥Angel Samantha said...

My oh my!!! It is truly breath-taking!


Sam & June

p/s: We do not know Wyatt but we are going ofur to sniff it out. :)

Sierra Rose said...

Loved every photo! So amazing to see the fall colors, and cool looking alpine lakes! We camped years ago with golden Honey near the Alabama Hills. Beautiful area! I remember riding bikes from the base up to Whitney Portal. Grind, but amazing :)
Looked like a most wonderful trip!!

Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose

How Sam Sees It said...

Wow... You guys always go to the neatest places!

Sam

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

That place is just beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Teddy Westlife said...

Wow, what amazing scenery!

Hi Ozzie!

Mic said...

Sammie,
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am totally impressed with how well you did at your dog show today!!!! Wow...OPEN?! Cool!!!!

Kari in Alaska said...

Those are beautiful views!


Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/

Lorenza said...

Yes!
All those places you are visiting are awesome!
Thanks for sharing them!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Augie and Ti's mom said...

Amazing! Spectacular! (insert other adjectives here)

Thor and Jack said...

What wonderful scenery! Gorgeous pictures!

Martha said...

We cannot believe we missed Part 1 of your fantastic adventure.
The pics are truly amazing - you know how humans rely on their eyes and not their noses - well our mum's eyes nearly popped right out of her head.
That is soooooooo her kind of scenery.
We wish we could have hiked along with you.
It is especially nice at this time of year with the beautiful colours.
Thanks for sharing those awesome pics.
love
Martha and Bailey xxx

The Army of Four said...

We are trying to get caught up reading blogs. Mom is looking over my shoulder and kept saying "holy smokes! Those are the most gorgeous pix EVER!" They really are. What amazing scenery! Enhanced by you two girls, of course!
Luv,
Dave