Escape from Orange County

Like a rabbit out of the chute with the hounds in hot pursuit we loaded up the rig and headed east, then north, toward the back side of the Sierras.

'Seems like we've spent more time in Southern California this year than at home or on the road, and we are anxious to get back in the traveling mode. We spent a week helping Steve's mother and visiting family, so now the traveling begins.

If it seems we've been "away" for awhile - from the blog that is, we have. First with the commitments in California, and then my computer decided to go toes-up and Steve's spent the last week trying to get it back in working order. 'My own stupid fault that I lost some data, nothing too critical thank heavens, but it was a major inconvenience. The fact that we travel with three computers may seem a little odd to some, but they all have their purpose, and keeping them up and running is a major part of the Trailmaster's job. Things always seem to break when you are out in the boonies too. It's a law! At any rate, we'll try to get caught up on our travels, so the posts will be a bit longer than usual.  

From Southern California we headed for Gardnerville, Nevada, which necessitates a long stretch through the desert, so where to stop that's both comfortable and picturesque? Our first thought was the Alabama Hills, near Lone Pine, as it's right on the way and one of our favorite places. The area was the filming location for many of the old cowboy movies, and is very picturesque. The temp was 104 when we arrived there however, and so we kept on going, up, as altitude usually equals degrees cooler.

We landed at Gray's Meadow campground, on Independence Creek, just outside Independence on Hwy.395. On the map below you can trace the creek as it flows from the mountains down into Independence.


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The campground has two sections, upper and lower, and the lower one looks a bit cramped for our equipment, so we took an outside space in the upper campground. Though the campground description says a 22 ft. maximum we unhitched so fit quite nicely.

The campground wasn't at all crowded, and what a gorgeous view! What looks on the satellite map (above) like a soft sandy surface around the creek is actually the steep gravel and boulder strewn foothills of the Sierras.

The steep, craggy Sierras tower at the back, while the valley stretches wide and slopes up on the far side to the White and Inyo Mountain ranges.

Toss in a few billowy thunderheads, A few pine and cottonwoods around the creek, and you have a vista to remember! The creek bubbling along the side of the campground made a lovely cooling sound too. We liked it so well we stayed two nights, enough to recharge our mental batteries a bit.

Shiner enjoyed her first real taste of sagebrush country, and appreciated the opportunity to dig around the bushes and sniff around the creek. She's done very little camping so far, so has no idea of what awaits her on down the road. This trip will be a real education for her!