What I Did on My Summer Vacation, Chapter 3: Rode with Fresno Friends on the East Side

What's summer without lots of bike riding?...And with friends, no less.
Last year, Denise came over to ride for a few days with me. Apparently, she liked it, as she came back this year. On her first day, we rode from town up Conway Summit on Hwy 395, and then up to Virginia Lakes from there. That's about 11 miles of solid climbing, and roughly 3000 feet of elevation gain. (Of course, there's also 11 miles of descending on the way back -- at speeds as high as 47 miles per hour on days when I'm not a big chicken-shit.) This is the lowest of three lakes there, and it appears that not everyone arrives by bike. Go figure.

Luckily, they allow spandex in the store at the lake, as we really needed water.

Honestly, Denise can't go ANYWHERE without befriending some four-legged critter. This is Cooper, and thank goodness he already had an owner, or Denise would have strapped him to her bike to take him home. I'm always so embarrassed when she does that...

On Denise's second day, we met up with Mary, another friend from Fresno, and rode the June Lake Loop -- about 36 miles of sheer gorgeous. Mary was staying in Mammoth, so she met us halfway between Bridgeport and Mammoth at the Mobil Station at the foot of Tioga Pass. We rode from there, and this is Denise and Mary just after we turned off Hwy 395 onto the Loop. We were headed to those mountains in the distance.

Just one of the many spectacular views as we made our way around the Loop...and yes, the mountains in the background are nice, too.

Though it's late July, the water is still running high all over the Eastern Sierras. We passed right below Fern Falls...I think.

Finally made it to the town of June Lake -- and here's the proof.

This crazy rock is right at the beginning of the town of June Lake -- right by the Fire/Paramedic station. When I was little and we'd come in the school bus each week to go skiing at June Mountain, I always shut my eyes when we drove past it, as I thought it would surely fall on us.

Almost back to Hwy 395, there's a look-out tower at June Lake -- looking back at where we've ridden from is always cool. Well, and a bit freaky.

Back on Hwy 395, just a few miles south of Lee Vining, there's the Grave of the Unknown Prospector. The Bodie Chapter of E Clampus Vitus (you know...the Clampers...that historical society my dad and brothers belong to that is basically just an excuse to get drunk) dedicated this tombstone there awhile back, and it has the names of all the Bodie Chapter Clampers who've "Gone to the Golden Hills." Wonder if they're gonna put Dad's name on there...He was the Grand Humbug (or whatever the head-dude is called) at one point, so I'd think so. Seriously, the Clampers are cool, and have dedicated a lot of great historical sites around the Eastern Sierras.

After our ride, we ate at the "Whoa Nellie Deli" at the Mobil Station at the bottom of Tioga Pass -- the Carnitas Tacos ROCK! Then, with bikes packed on the cars, we headed to Bodie State Park, as Mary had never been there. Stole these first two pics from Denise -- she's more artsy than me. There are a lot of photography classes taught in Bodie because there are so many picture-worthy subjects...especially when we're visiting.


Really?!! Did you think I could see a bathtub out in the middle of the town, and NOT ask a ranger to take a picture of us in it?.... This is MY idea of artsy.

This is a shot I took through the sun porch of a house that belonged to the Cain family -- one of the wealthiest families in Bodie. I grew up with Jenny Cain whose dad, Walter, was born in Bodie. And her grandma, Ella Cain, wrote some of the most popular books on Bodie -- we have 'em at Ken's, of course. (This was a paid advertisement.)

Mary and me posing at what was the doorway to the bank...I think.

And of course, what's a trip to Bodie without posing at the cross-street of Virgin Alley and Maiden Lane -- the center of the "Red Light District"!

Good times!

What I Did on My Summer Vacation, Chapter 2: Got Despicable

Lacey goes to gymnastics two times a week, and, conveniently enough, there's a movie theater nearby...so I joined Missy and her this week to see "Despicable Me" before going to see Lacey get her Mary-Lou-Retton on at the gym.

First, though, we got our energy up by hitting Johnny Rockets for some burgers, fries, and shakes. The Chocolate and Peanut Butter shake is ALMOST as good as Lynda's at the Jolly Kone -- ALMOST.

It appears we've started a tradition...Missy and I took Lacey to her first movie last summer -- Up! -- and we took a photo outside by the poster. So...we're carrying on here. However, Lacey seemed to think I was the movie's namesake, as she wouldn't let me hold her...I had to lean in to even be near her!

Lacey didn't think her mom was so despicable, but I have to say...she does look a bit like a rag doll.

And of course, the MINIONS were my favorite part of the movie -- especially when one gets shaken-and-cracked so he can glow and light the way through a dark passageway -- like a glow stick!

What I Did on My Summer Vacation, Chapter 1 -- The Fishin' Mission

Now that's not at all what it sounds like...I didn't DO the Fishin' Mission... however, I did hang out with them on their 36th Annual in June, and, as always, there were adventures aplenty.

Steve -- "The Mayor" -- was in charge of t-shirts this year, and it doesn't take a Ph.D. to realize he'll probably never be invited to take on that responsibility again. This picture doesn't do them justice, but, well, they're NEON YELLOW. Yes...the Fishin' Mission were glowin' in the dark this year. A good way to keep from losing each other on those drunk nights at Rhino's and Sportsmen's, yes, but a fashion statement? Not so much.

Ever on the hunt for more supporters for the Fishin' Mission Foundation, Gary -- "The Commish" -- managed to woo yet another organized group of fishermen this year. I don't recall their official name, but they're the "Fish-for-the-Stick" guys: Whoever wins their fishing contest each year gets his name on a little bronze plaque on a walking stick that's kept in the group. The Mission posed with some of them here at Rhino's. Where else?

And, as has become tradition, the hardcore Mission-aries hung around through Tuesday for their Annual Golf Tournament. This year, they surprised us by renaming the tournament after Dad. Here, all the guys posed with the memorial for Dad that is on the first hole at the course in Hawthorne. Note the inscription on the memorial: "Two Ball Billy." I explained how he got his golf nickname in the eulogy I gave at his service in October: "You know how sometimes when you try to hit the golf ball, it just rolls a tiny way?....Dad did that a lot. When he did it, he would calmly stick his hand in his pocket, pull out a fresh ball, and tee up again – as though this were his right. Typically, his second swing would be a good one. He’d then point at the second ball, matter-of-factly look back at his buddies, and say, 'I’ll take that one.' That’s how he got the nickname, 'Two-Ball Billy.'"

After the tourney, all the guys joined us at Mom's house for yet another tradition, my RATPOD fundraising dinner. Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day is the 135-mile ride I do up in Montana at the end of June to help raise money for Camp-Mak-A-Dream, a kids' cancer camp there. Missy and Kim help me cook, and the guys donate money to dine on Hot and Sour Shrimp, Cashew Chicken, Ginger Beef, and homemade Egg Rolls. They donated a whopping $400 this year! I'm so damn lucky to know such great guys!!!

Of course, the cooking isn't all serious business.

While we cook, the guys hang out on the deck, enjoying the view of the Sierras, a few beers, and each other. Gary and Mark are feelin' the love here.

Of course, Lacey provides a little entertainment before dinner, too. Here, Chuck -- "The Professor" -- gets schooled on how to REALLY fish.

Mark and Toni -- "Sparky" -- tellin' lies.

Carm is likely telling OD what a great dancer he is, and how all the girls in Bridgeport can't get enough of him.

Back in the kitchen, Lacey entertained the cooks with a little gymnastics between Grandma Lyn's counters.

And finally, the food was ready! Chuck and Smilin' Jim didn't need to be told twice.

Poor Gary is still bummed he can't have the shrimp. Well, unless he wants his throat to swell up to the size of a blowfish.
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Larry -- "Here for the Beer" -- gettin' his food on.

And a bunch of the boys finally settled down to eat. It got really quiet.

Another successful Mission. And it appears Gary finally believes it's a tradition that will stick.

Can't wait 'til the 37th!

To Make Chamroeun Smile

It's Star Wars Day. Really. It has to be true because the guy at Steven's Bike Shop told me. So, I thought I'd throw this little video clip up here to mark the occasion...and to hopefully bring a smile to Chamroeun's face.

A Little Health Care to Laugh About

Well, I've let forever go by again without any posts. Summer's coming, though, so there'll be more regular posts soon, hopefully.

In the meantime, I've just discovered these Trigon commercials on YouTube...say what you will about the health care debate. These make health care FUN.

"You say spinach...I say Spanish"

"Karate"

"Kids say the Darndest Things"

"Snotty Doctor"

Women Who Snowshoe

Wow. It's been a long time since I've done an entry, aye? Here's a little attempt at catch-up...some pics from a Women's Snowshoe Adventure up Sonora Pass in early January before I returned to work. If you're one of my Facebook friends (and you know you wanna be!), you've seen most of these, but I've added a few that some of the other gals took.

Having just piled out of the trucks at the bottom of Sonora, we're all ready to go. Left to Right: Debbie, Kim, Aimee, Malinda, and Arleen. I'm behind the camera.

But jumped into this one while Kim took the camera reins. I wanted proof that I 'shoed with these wild women!

Finally heading up the pass. The snow was icy, icy, icy, so there was no sneaking up on unsuspecting mountain lions and bears. Shucks.

Leave it to Arleen to get a snap of me blowing my nose. Yah...like people really want to see that.

We left 108, the main road, and wandered about a bit near Cloudburst. Here, we did a little winter Rockettes pose.

It's true that I might have had a few drinks the night before, but this is not what it looks like. Arleen (again) actually caught Kim and me in an odd-looking pose one second before this was taken, as Kim was having me, well, stare at her boobs so she could see them in the reflection of my sunglasses. I know...but she was intrigued by her sports-bra uni-boob. Really....who designed those?!!! At this point, we were hysterical with laughter.

Once we'd channeled Jeremiah Johnson and gotten serious again, we headed into the aspen. Gotta love the aspen.

With Kim as our fearless leader, we came to this RAGING RIVER that we had to cross...here, Arleen takes her turn. And I must say, those are some STYLIN' snowpants, Arleen! They make you look, oh, 15.

And to think...my students don't believe me when I tell them I can walk on water!

We took a little break at this conveniently located picnic table along the way. We hoped the winter equivalent of some "cabana boys" would show up with coffee and Baileys, but no such luck.

And when we looked up from the picnic table, this is what we saw. Kinda makes you want to live in a nest.

Kim might be fearless, but she forgot here that we needed snow...

...so we just smiled and waited for Kim to find a trail with some of the white stuff.

Malinda made like a mountain goat and headed up into the rocky cliffs to see if it was worthwhile to go straight or whether we should turn around.

We made a loop to get back out of Cloudburst, and headed further up 108. On the way, of course, we had to stop for lunch. Well, and some MGD 64. (Thanks, Kim!)

Cheers!