Bodie!

Since I make the 1.5 hour drive to the Bodie Hills at least once a week for work, it's hard to be motivated to visit on my days off. Fortunately, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew decided to visit Yosemite Valley (did you know that Yosemite Falls is completely DRY this time of year?!), so once we were back on 395 we were closer to Bodie than to Bishop, and we decided to make a visit. We spent the night beneath Mt. Biedeman at a dispersed site along a 4WD road. The stars were absolutely amazing! In the morning, we enjoyed views of Mono Lake while we watched the sun rise, drank warm tea, and mewed back at the Green-tailed Towhees.

not a bad campsite

rabbitbrush and Mono Lake

On our way into Bodie State Historic Park itself, we came across one of the pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) herds. Since the truck chased them behind a ridge, we decided to drive ahead and walk out to see how close we could get. We almost walked right into them, and they ran by us at about 100 feet away!

Bodie was even better than I expected. Many of the buildings are filled with artifacts, and the museum has a good collection along with labels and explanations. I particularly liked the pharmaceutical products, like A Scientific Powder for Men and a Diphtheria Remedy that also cures syphilitic sore throat!

In 1859, Waterman S. Bodey discovered gold at the site. By 1879, the town had a population of about 10,000 and was known for wickedness, badmen, and "the worst climate out of doors". Fires reduced the size and the gold rush waned; eventually the town fell into decay. It was dedicated as a state historic park in 1962. Well worth a visit if you're on the east side! And do pay the extra $2 for the guide.

Methodist church

Boone Store window

opium bottles

anti-venom (yikes)

historic hops! (Humulus lupulus)

historic booze

Standard stamp mill

this looks like a fun place!

Mountain Bluebird

in the cemetery

I wanted to show Brent some more of my "office", so we took the long way out, up Geiger Grade and out Aurora Canyon. Most of the drive was uneventful (aside from the road itself), until we ran into a herd of cattle being driven out along the road. Nothing like a little cattle driving from the truck to end our day in the Bodie Hills!