4/13: April in Lee Vining

Hi everybody! 

Well, a planned weekend at the Buttermilks didn't quite follow the plan, and due to some unfortunate car troubles the trip was relocated to Lee Vining. Which is totally fine with me, because (a) it's one of my favorite places of all time (and is WAY better than camping around Bishop); (b) the weather was amazing. In April. In fact, we were lucky to have some clouds and a few raindrops, because otherwise it was hot. In April; (c) MONOBARS, (d) Hi Elin!, (e) I'm always fine camping and climbing at lesser-visited places to avoid crowds. Or people altogether. 

Greg and I met (with puppies in tow) on Thursday afternoon and set up camp at the usual home along Lee Vining Creek, got Monorritos for dinner and a Mono Bar for dessert, drank a couple of beers and wandered around in the sagebrush for a while before bed and sleep to the sound of rushing water. 

We were up early Friday to do more spacing out all around the Benton Crossing Road, with burgers at Base Camp in Mammoth for lunch, followed by some really fun climbing near the north shore of June Lake. We stopped by the Mono Lake Committee to say hello to the newly engaged (hooray!) Elin, and to fill up our water bottles. Then more spacing out. Beers under a bright bright moon. More Mono Bar desserts. Perfect.

This view from the Benton Crossing Road doesn't get old. Ever.

Saturday was more of the same (it can never get boring). Up early to wander and explore while storm clouds formed all around the Owens Valley, and we could see rain pouring on the White Mountains. Pizza at Nik & Willy's in Mammoth Lakes for lunch. Climbing at the Bachar Boulders in the afternoon (where Greg sent an awesome, tall, scary problem and I was really fired up about it) until our hands couldn't handle it any more. An easy no-cook dinner with crackers, cheese, cold meat, Mono Bars, cookies, sparkling wine, not-sparkling wine, and beers in plastics wine glasses. 

Mattie and Milo looking for Greg, just after the rain started. 

This morning I was sad because I had to leave the mountains and Greg, and it gets harder every time. There's no getting used to it. Still, a good morning of wandering and adventuring, and Monorritos for lunch before Mattie and I got back in the truck for a long, hot drive out of the mountains and back to the coast. 

Hanging out at the Lee Vining Creek home on a
perfect April evening with this guy.

Now, we're back at the cabin finishing up tomorrow's lecture and drinking hot chocolate. Things are just beautiful.

Love,

Allison & Mattie