Day 6 July 11, 2010 Free Day

Today is a free day, everyone off in different directions. Of course we had the fishermen, Dave, Len, Ed R., Pat and Steve. There were fish caught again today but I did not get the exact number. They seem to find some dangerous territory to conquer before fishing. Dave was so excited about fishing he jumped in Len's truck and away they went. When they got to the fishing spot, he could not find his equipment in the truck... ooopppps, forgot to throw it in. Pat to the rescue, he had another pole with him.


Butch and Betty headed home today. We really tried to convince them to stay but Butch wanted to get to the dentist and they have a full week ahead. We surely missed them tonight at cocktail/ appetizer night. Safe travels to Butch and Betty.


Dorothy, April, Jane and Phyllis went back to Mammoth Outlets today and again found some pretty fine bargains. They had lunch at the bakery where we all stopped a few mornings back and said lunch was very good. I did go to Mammoth for just a short time to exchange a shirt for Betty, and pick up a razor for Ed.


Ed and I went to visit Mono Lake, which Ed was interested in since the lake is in such bad shape due to water that should go to the lake is diverted to Los Angeles. A situation that has been in the courts for years. The lake itself covers about 60 square miles, it is an ancient lake, one of the oldest in North America. Throughout it's existence salts and minerals have washed into the lake from Eastern Sierra streams. Fresh water evaporating from the lake each year has left the salts behind so the lake is now about two and a half times as salty and eighty times as alkaline as seawater. In 1941 the city of Los Angeles began diverting four of the five major streams to L.A. causing the lake to drop more than 40 feet. This exposed 17,000 acres of land that was previously under water. Concerns about the effects of Mono Lake Basin, air quality, shrinking lake led citizens to take the issue to court. In 1994 after 16 years of court battles, water resources board issued an order to protect Mono Lake. While the lake may be saved on paper, much remains to be done. It is sad to see the devastation.


After Mono Lake, Ed and I decided to take a drive up to Tioga Pass and the East entrance to Yosemite. The area is just so gorgeous, Yosemite is one of my favorite places and I have never been to this area of the park. I am so glad we took the time to take that drive.


We returned to camp for Happy Hour and Appetizers and again a feast to be had. As I have said in previous posts, we have eaten very well on this trip. We missed Butch and Betty and toasted them along with all that helped on this trip. Tommorrow Garry and Marilyn will be heading home a day early. Tomorrow is another free day, there are still some of the fishermen going out, some of us are going to Mammoth Lake for breakfast and will then make plans for the rest of the day. I forgot to ask Danny and Lynn what they did today but sure they enjoyed the day as well...


So until next time....

Pictures of Mono Lake and Tufas

Pictures of Yosemite