Road Trip

“Maybe we could just skip the ghost town today?” “I assure you Henry, there are no ghosts in the ghost town.” I love highway 395. It is probably one of the most scenic, and diverse roads in the U.S. Fall was underway, and 395 has one of its most splendid displays, so I grabbed the scaredy cat, told Mom to take the weekend off, and headed south out of Tahoe. It wasn’t long before the aspens started to light up the hills, and we made camp in Rock Creek Canyon north of Bishop. Don’t think for a minute that roof top tents are efficient. But the look on a 7 year old’s face when he climbs up into it is priceless. “Do you know what the oldest living thing on earth is?” “Great Grandma?” “Nice guess but no. It’s a Bristle Cone Pine tree.” “How old are they?” “Some are about 5,000 years old and see that mountain range over there? they live on top of it, and we are going to drive the Jeep up there tomorrow.” “Awesome, can I have some more Sour Patch Kids?”

“Dad, this place looks like Star Wars.” High above Bishop, you can drive to 11,000 eleven thousand feet, and the only things you will see are Bristle Cone Pine Trees and Mountain Bluebirds. The Pines resemble modern sculpture and make excellent subjects for photography. It also provides a certain rockhound endless subjects for his collection.

“Dad, are we going home tomorrow?” “Yes, but we are going to stop at Bodie, the Ghost town, first to check it out.” …Silence. “Henry, there are no ghosts in the ghost town.” “Then why do they call it a ghost town?” “Because there are no people there.” “So only ghosts live there now?” “Go to sleep.”

“Dad, that old mining cart is straight out of Scooby Doo!” “It sure is, and look at that old Church!” “Stand in the street so I can take your picture… Now, that looks like an old Alfred Hitchcock movie poster.” “Who’s Alfred Hitchcock?” “He made scary movies in the past.” “Dad, would you come here at night?” “No @#$%&*! way.” “Dad! Bad word!” “Henry, this place is spooky lets get the hell outta’ here!”