July 24 - Off to Mammoth Lakes

Up and out early to try to beat the heat and construction. Will take us at least 5.5 hours till we are up and around to the east side of the Sierras. 

We had a mishap with the hitch. A pin bent and/or broke. Had to drive the separately but we mad it to our campground Camp High Sierra. The campground is close to town, but in among trees. Temps are in high 70s, perfect. 

Just relaxed to get ready for a hike tomorrow. 

July 23 - Packing for Mammoth and Arlo

We all leave for Mammoth Lakes tomorrow for 2-1/2 weeks. Since we don’t need to worry about packing (all our stuff is in the RV), we went over to play with Arlo while Shan and Carl started to pack, a monumental job especially with a baby. 

Balen played with Banjo a little. He has to come behind him first to pet   Otherwise, Banjo tries to gum him. 

Then to end our time in Grass Valley and Nevada City, we went to the Grass Valley Brewery for a last hurrah!!  Good beer, cider and brats. 

Not sure Arlo’s in love with brewery hopping yet!  

Sunset for our last night here. 

July 22 - Off to the Lake 90 degrees

It’s really been hot here for the past week so we decided a little lake time would be good. 

Terry, Lark and Bruno on the paddle board 

Balen in the wagon

Charlotte’s mom, Joan with Arlo

Terry and Lark

Shannon and Charlotte. 

It was good to cool off for a couple hours. 

July 21 - Ida Gets an Oil Change

Ida needs her oil changed. We found a place that rearranged the schedule a little so that they could accommodate her BUT we have to drive to Roseville and we aren’t sure how long it will take. So we bundled up the dogs and iPads and off we went. 

Did a little shopping at JoAnn Fabrics for yarn and REI for clothes we probably didn’t need. 

Then We got a call that Ida was done with her oil change. So back up to Grass Valley to get set back up in the Fairgrounds for a few more days. 

Carl and Shan decided to have a cookout with ribs and chicken. Charlotte, Baylon, Lark and Charlotte’s parents came over. Good times. First a pic of the chef and his helper. 

Then the whole crew minus Lark and Baylon. 

July 20 - More Arlo Time

Bill and I did a few errands in the morning, then went over to Shan and Carl’s. They had a few things to do so we got to watch him. 

He wasn’t very happy taking a bottle but I got about an ounce or so in him. Then he went to sleep. 

July 19 - Arlo Time

We drove Route 395 a lot of the way. Nice country road. Once we got on 80 at Reno though the road was very rough and rutted from trucks. Wasn’t a very pleasant drive. 

But all was well as soon as we saw this little face

He’s giggling now and giving us coos. Then it was time for a bath and bed. 

He loves to have a book read to him. He studies it like he’s going to be asked questions. 

July 18 - Altrus, California

Driving Route 395, Alkali Lake was pretty but unfortunately it has a bad past. In 1969, Chemical Waste Storage and Disposition Inc., a Beaverton company, was granted a permit by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to begin dumping herbicidal chemicals at the facility. The chemicals included dioxins and phenols used for the toxic Agent Orange defoliant, which the military deployed during the Vietnam War. To read more … https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/alkali_lake_chemical_waste_disposal_site/

Stayed at Sully’s Campground in Altus, CA. Nothing much happening in this little town. It’s hot here but after checking temps all around, it’s hot everywhere. At least there’s a breeze.