Shaun and I have been in Bishop for about two weeks now at a gorgeous BLM campground called Horton Creek. Our friends Nan and Taylor have been here with us. They left today, and I was melancholy this afternoon. It has been great having them around. We have been on hikes together, watched a baby raven in his nest, drove to the Bristle Cone forest near Big Pine, and enjoyed the mule days in Bishop together. The two weeks flew by as I knew it would. Fortunately, we will meet up with them again soon probably this summer.
Today, Shaun and I spent the day together exploring the area of North Lake and South Lake west of town on highway 168. As we drove up to this wild and beautiful area the elevation changed from 4000 feet to 9000 feet. At the top we both felt dizzy and tired. The views were extraordinary. This rugged landscape was coaxing us to explore it's many nooks and crannies, but the lack of oxygen at 9000 feet did not allow our legs and lungs to pursue what our mind wanted to do.
The temperature at 5pm today at our camp was 93 degrees. It is getting quite hot here. There is still a little snow on Mt. Tom, but it is melting rapidly. I think tomorrow we shall head to Crowley Lake where the elevation is about 7000 feet. It will definitely be cooler and more comfortable for us.