Tuesday September 24, Indian Flat Campground, El Portal, CA

Concentration!

Took a drive down to the marina area of the lake this morning, it all felt quite weird with such brilliant facilities and the lake so empty and no one around. We stopped at the information centre for the lake to find out was this normal or what was going on. Spoke to a really pleasant guy with all the info. Since the lake was formed in the 70’s the levels have been going up and down depending on the snowfall and rain. At times it is almost 2 foot from the overflow, but there has been 2 dry years and consequently it is really low. Evidently in summer the campsites are all booked out, it is a very popular area.

Morning, New Malones

Thought we would have a look around the old gold mining areas around Sanora, and drove up to Twain Harte but were quite disappointed as very little left. We stopped in Jamestown for a late lunch, evidently where they shot a number of western movies, but it was a struggling town, not as inviting as Angel’s Camp yesterday.

We followed route 49 south toward Yosemite, deciding to come in from the Arch Rock entrance. It was a great road except that it climbed over some high passes and at times quite narrow, luckily not a lot of traffic. The campgrounds in the Yosemite Valley are booked out months ahead, and as we never know when we will get to places we had no bookings. Stopped at the Information Centre in Mariposa and found out that there should be places at a Campground nearer the park, so just headed on up.

Enjoyed the drive in the valley which followed the Merced River, it was after 5 and pleased to get a campite.

No Verizon coverage at all today so relied on Pam for updates on the cup by text…..can’t believe tonight that it is 8 all…what has happened!!!!

Loved the old truck in Jamestown