We are finally semi-settled into our Mammoth condo. The early word is we miss living in a home. Not necessarily our old SD home, but a peaceful quiet home, in a neighborhood were you say hi to the same guy every morning. The transient vacation rental complex living is wearing a little thin on us, so the timing is perfect for a little getaway.
First stop, Sonora Bridge Campground: one mile off of the 395 on the 108. It’s a beautiful National Forest campground; 23 sites, 6 of them pull through. Why take the easy way out with a pull through site when you can stress test your marriage with a back in site? We passed the test and are still married! The backing in was actually easy; the stressor was doing it multiple times trying to get level. The only amenities are vaulted toilets (aka out houses or shit boxes) and usually water. I say usually because the water was recently turned off because of high levels of arsenic.
The campground is absolutely wonderful, spread out, peaceful, quiet and just plain old relaxing. And I swear the camp host is a relative of Harry at Boulder Creek in Lone Pine. Two thumbs up!
We arrived on Sunday, with the thought of on Monday going over the Sonora Pass down to Pinecrest for some mountain biking. Never having been on the road, we had no expectations. It was like the Tioga Pass on steroids. Our campground is at 6,800 ft. The pass is 9,628 ft. The road gets as steep as 26%! What an awe-inspiring drive. And twice as nice when you are not in a hurry. We pulled over countless times just to take it all in.
We will have to go back to Pinecrest for some more riding. Unfortunately, all we were able to squeeze in was a little doinky doink ride. That’s a small price to pay for the time spent on the Sonora Pass.
Another day, another learning lesson. Do not leave a 5 gallon pail half full of water at your campsite all day while you are gone. If you do, you may just come back to a chipmunk that has managed to drown himself. And it will probably put a little damper on your wife’s day.
I’m afraid the iPhone photos don’t quite capture the majesty of the Sonora Pass, but you can be the judge.
Pulling away from the hangar. I’ll never tire of the view of Mt Morrison.
$15 a night ain’t bad.
Greg & Amelia's Airstream Adventures 
Xcellent pull with your rig up the pass “Rook’s” even though the sign said “No trailers.” I pulled up the Tioga with 10K miles under my belt and was still scared. More scary coming down! You all seem to have issues with wildlife when you camp,i.e., last time your steak flew away with a seagull! Now you take it out on a chipmunk! What’s next? Looks like you are having fun!
Actually we scouted the pass, so we didn’t drive the Airstream on it. Originally that was going to be our route to Fairfield. I’m glad we didn’t, it was really steep and curvy. So instead we camped at Sonora Bridge. We ended up taking the 395, to the 88, to the 89, to the 50, to the 80 to get to Fairfield. We drove right through Sacramento, my birthplace.
Perfect photos and narrative. Poor Chippy…
Hope to see you soon.
Love,
Pauly
Amazing pictures!! I love your observations about the quiet of a home with neighbors…we need the reminders sometimes! Chipmunk drowns in a bucket of water? Darwin at work. The slow moving squirrel theory…ain’t nobody got time for that!
Hope those bugs added a bit of protein to your drinking diet. You know you COULD take the wine with you on the walk!
Enjoy the adventure and the winding road.
Love you guys,
Jean
The pictures are breathtaking and Amy, you look like you are taking it all in. The thought of being back at Farr and you not being there was making me a little sad, but after seeing these pictures I am happy that the two of you are living each day to the fullest. Irma