Miscellaneous and a visit

We’ve been here 2 ½ months now, but it seems like longer.  We’ve been busy settling in and exploring.  We’ve checked out so many places that they’re starting to blur together.

There are various Paiute Reservation areas around here, so of course there is a casino in Bishop.  We dropped in one day to check it out and maybe see what’s for lunch.  Not much as it turns out.  Surprising number of people sitting at slot machines while a beautiful day beckoned outside.   We didn’t stay.

Checked out Laws history museum ( http://www.lawsmuseum.org/index.htm ).  They have lots of exhibits we found interesting and give a flavor for the old west.  We became members so we could just go wander through a little bit at a time.  And a few miles south in Independence is the Eastern California Museum.  It’s small but packed with all types  of interesting stuff.  ( http://www.independence-ca.com/eastern-california-museum.shtml ).

In our explorations, we’ve been driving up and down 395, and up canyon roads and using many tanks of gas. So, we decided to trade in the Kia on a new Prius.  We are loving the gas mileage and slowly learning how to use the electronic gadgetry (It is a sign of the times that the car is smarter than we are.)  Today we fought hard to put the rear seat covers on to protect it from muddy dogs.  It was made to fit our car ‘exactly’, but didn’t quite.

Suze & Tim visited last weekend and we had a great time.   Even though it had snowed (up in the mountains) a few days before they arrived, we were able to hike a couple of our favorite places.  Our hike up the south fork of Big Pine Creek (above our town) was new terrain for us and a wonderful, mellow grade with gorgeous trees and views.  We stopped for lunch and turned back when we got to the snow line.

Suze & Tim (& Chuck & Buddy)

Now the weather is unseasonably warm for early spring.  It’s getting up to 85 today.  The guy came to prepare the evaporative cooler for the season yesterday.  While it is wonderful to get up and walk the dogs without a jacket and soak up some sun, I’m a little worried about summer!  We’ll be traveling to Cape Cod for much of July.  That will help.
Everything is starting to bloom and we plan to plant some tomatoes very soon.  Will have to give up climbing at Alabama Hills soon….maybe get up early to hike or go play golf.









I am trying to teach myself to paint with water colors.  It will take lots of practice, but it’s enjoyable practice and I see some progress. Will stop, Alan is arriving shortly for a visit!