Lone Pine to Bishop, CA
J Diamond Mobile Ranch
Site #6
Distance: A mere 63 miles
Duration: 1 night
Cost: $40
Weather: Cold mornings!
We spent most of Monday doing laundry, cleaning and prepping for our next travel day. Rod was suffering from a cold, so we were both a bit tired after a restless night. When we woke up, it was really cold, but it didn't take long for the furnace to take off the chill. We continued to monitor the weather at June Lake, but decided the lows would be too cold for an overnight, so we made plans to head up to Bishop, which would also be cold but hopefully no snow.
It was a beautiful day and I was able to get a few more shots of the mountains before we headed north on Hwy. 395.
Mount Whitney
We stayed at a small RV park in Bishop, located behind Erick Schat's Bakkery. Thankfully, we were only there for one night as the sites were extremely tight. I don't remember ever being so close to our neighbors in any other campground. I could even hear someone's TV or radio while sitting inside our rig with the windows closed. The neighbor on the other side was quiet, but we could barely walk between our picnic table and his slideout, so we moved the table out of the way for the day. It wasn't the nicest park, but it was clean and very convenient to town.
After a decent lunch at El Pollo Loco (it'd been at least 25 years since we last had one of their meals!), we decided to wander around town, stopping in at a bookstore and grabbing a coffee at the Black Sheep Espresso Bar. We enjoyed our drinks on their back patio, while basking in the warmth of the sun.
The following morning was just as cold as the previous day, so I bundled up before walking around the corner to the bakery to get a few pastries for our breakfast. It's probably a good thing we don't live near Erick Schat's. I'm not a huge fan of ice cream, but when it comes to baked goods, I'm like a kid in a candy store. So many choices and everything I chose was delicious!
One of each, please!
Decisions, decisions.
Oh, my goodness!
On the plus side, J Diamond Mobile Ranch has a few trees and grassy areas, but the pads are packed dirt, and as mentioned, extremely tight. We had full hookups, a picnic table on a concrete pad, free WiFi, and great cell service with Sprint and Verizon. However, other than the proximity to downtown and the bakery, this is the least desirable park we have encountered. It's probably fine for an overnight, but I would look elsewhere if we're ever in the area again.
Brrrr!
Glad we decided against June Lake.
Brrr! Those mountains are majestic!
ReplyDeleteThey were the highlight of this portion of our trip, Kathy. So pretty!
DeleteWe've traveled Highway 395 a couple of times in the fall, and it's always SO cold. But so beautiful, as your photos show! Should you ever return to Bishop, check out Brown's Town Campground. We enjoyed it, for 'civilized' camping. And the Little Lakes Valley Trail nearby is one of the most magnificent hikes we've ever experienced. (https://ravenandchickadee.com/2015/11/the-quintessential-sierra-nevada-hike/)
ReplyDeleteLaurel, I don't mind the cold too much, but we were having issues with our furnace. I'm just glad we didn't have to deal with any snow or ice. After 25 years in Lincoln, Nebraska, I am over that kind of weather!
DeleteI'll keep Brown's Town CG in mind for another trip thru Bishop. Actually all of the Brown CGs look like winners! Thanks, also, for the link to the trail. What beautiful views and gorgeous lakes!
I'm with you, I love baked goods and will choose those over ice cream any time. That looked like a delicious bakery. What beautiful mountains. As always so fun to read about your adventures on the road.
ReplyDeleteIliana, the bakery is very well-known and was super busy when we dropped in on the afternoon we arrived in Bishop. It's probably a good thing we don't live in Bishop or I'd be there at least once a week! Glad you're enjoying my travel posts. Thanks so much!
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