Mono Lake

Arrived in CA later in the afternoon after a relatively reasonable ride of 67 miles. Dave had carted us on from schurs to Hawthorne (saving us 30 miles of crappy highway and sort of unsafe riding (in my opinion for a thirteen year old).

Ate breakfast at a place called Maggies, pretty good. Packed up our gear in the parking lot and set out.

Hawthorne is a munitions depot, so if it looks a little strange, that is because it is. The road away was much better, but pretty much climbed for 30 miles until we reached the summit (7300?). As we started down, the Sierras were in view and it was a downhill festival! The straitest road ever for the next 25 miles, downhill for at least 20.

We rode along side of Mono Lake, past the mtns where the cold air was channeling down (really cold, like snow cold). Made it to the town of Lee Vinning and got directed to a great place to eat; Whoa Nellie Deli, next to the Mobil station. Super food (lamb for K and steak ceasar for me). We didn't finish dinner until after dark, so we put on the flashers and rode the mile or so back to town and our camping site for the night.

Set up in the dark (we are good at this). Good sleep, Karina is still sleeping now. Today we will hang pretty near to here (maybe eventually put in 25 miles of sightseeing). The plan for later is to position ourselves as far up the Tioga Pass road as we can in preparation for tomorrow. We'll definitely dine at the deli again tonight.

Tomorrows target is Toulomne Meadows, but it is first come first serve for sites, so it'll be early departure up our steepest climb of the trip. Only about 10 miles, but parts are 12 percent grade. Also by leaving early we hope to miss traffic heading up or down the hill.

So we are ahead of schedule. Is this because we are fast? No. It has to do with circumstances related to Ken's schedule and needing to alter his route and timing. Having well passed the 3000 mile mark, and given that there is a distinct difference between the Nevada landscape and Yosemite, we traded less time on the "lonliest road in America" for more time in the Sierras.

I'll let you know how we manage the undeserved time in Yosemite. Mono Lake is beautiful. It is a sunny day, Karina is up now, and so it begins again!