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July 18, 2021

Road Trip 2021 - 395 is a great start


Under overcast July skies we are finally ready to begin our 2021 summer vacation travel.
We are again on US 395, the Gateway to the Sierra.

South of Kramer Junction is all 4-lane with stoplights, Adelanto has really grown.  HiWay 58 at Kramer Junction now has an overpass.  The stoplights there for the on/off traffic are very 395 friendly.  But the junction has permanently closed Astro Burger!

North of Kramer Junction the familiar 2-lane asphalt road is back.


Beyond Ridgecrest the familiar red Cinder Dome marks our stop for the day.  When we wake up in the morning at Fossil Falls we’ll be officially on our summer travels.


The entrance road is usually in good shape, and the Day Use Area has been graded!  But alas the campground roads are still in really poor shape.  Altho there are boondocking spots beyond the campground, we are again in site #4.  I keep hoping my $3 overnight fee will be put to grading the campground roads.

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We have travelled this route, our favorite, road so many times I forget I’ve really never blogged it.  My son and I did a trip every August for over a decade! every August! and with Fran for over 3 decades!  

When we first stopped at Manzanar, only the cemetery still stood.  Of course now the desperately needed attention it deserves is present.  However, the visitor center does not open till 11 am.  There's a gate across the road to the rear where the cemetery is located.

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We travelled on to Bishop to Erick Schat's, for my favorite turkey sandwich.  


Fran likes the #1, but I like to substitute the mustard
 with cranberry, and sometimes get the #2 also with cranberry vice mustard.

At Mammoth Lakes we found a great site at New Shady Rest (#89) and with my ‘Forever Young Pass’ for $12.50 a night.

A nice site, with room for Fran to practice her golf swing.


We drove up to Horseshoe Lake to see the progress of the carbon dioxide poisoning.  On  the way we made a brief stop at the Twin Lakes overlook.


Wow the trees have recovered and the danger seems to have passed.  But with the continued drought the ‘lake’ is not much more than a ‘puddle’ now.


the dying trees can still be seen where the shoreline was just a few years ago.


The simple wooden cross at gravesite of 'Mono Joe' has been replaced with that of the 'Unknown Prospector'.  I liked the simple friendly 'Joe', but progress continues.


If you’ve seen the ARCO commercials for ‘Too Much Good Stuff’, TMGS has never been to this Mobil Station.  Not long ago to attract business there was a high-wire and trapeze act. But now the Whoa-Nellie-Deli brings in traffic!  I've had the best Caesar Salmon Salad ever at this gas station!


Take your lunch up to the overlook for a quiet and good view of Mono Lake.

We had a quiet night along the Walker River in the No Zone.  DANG! Missed Jake hitting The Cycle for my PADRES!  But it was a nice spot.


We’re spending the night in Carson City where we enjoyed both the Mint and Railroad Museums.  Good day to be inside with all the smoke for the local wildfires.  

Tomorrow we’ll head up the hill to North Lake Tahoe to meet up with the family.






16 comments:

  1. Glad to read that you're on the move again and giving us ideas for future travels.
    Travel Safe and Enjoy time with the Family.

    It's about time.

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    1. Thanks Rick, it feels good to be back on the road for awhile.

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  2. I say you are off to a grand start…minus the smoke part. The #1 with cranberry sounds yummy. Turkey and cranberries are my favorite Thanksgiving food. I never thought to add cranberries to sandwiches…😋! It’s interesting how we become so familiar with places. They often change, sometimes for the better and sometimes not for the better, yet we still see them as they were!

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    1. So many fond memories along 395 - ski trips, father/son trips and lots of camping and exploring. It was fun completing a couple guide books. But you are right there are changes and so much is more crowded. Mammoth lakes has built a mammoth bike path from town to Horseshoe Lake. Bike rentals next time ;)

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  3. Our favorite route! But, I wanted a longer post! I know you've driven it many times and it probably has become "ho hum" to you, but I've missed two trips along 395 in the past two years so I'm craving more pictures to hold me over! We love those turkey/cranberry sandwiches on that phenominal bread - and those cookies!

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    1. I know … I so enjoy other posts on our favorite journeys
      South Tufa was closed for a Native American event. So missed the Sand Tufa at Navy Beach

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  4. I love 395 and didn't get there this year. Thanks for the memories!

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    1. Sure hope you and Sharon can make the trip next time. I never tire of it

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  5. Such a great place to travel! We loved the food at Schat's bakery (had that turkey sandwich and several delicious desserts), but have you also been to the Roadhouse? We had an amazing Reuben there too! That family sure knows a thing or two about food!

    Anyway, can't wait to read more about your trip and see more pics. We had hoped to visit the northern part of 395, but only got as far as Bodie in our travels. It'll be fun to learn about the other places we missed. Safe travels and enjoy time with your family!!

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    1. The ‘world famous’ Roadhouse in Olancha looks to be closed permanently :( It was a fun stop with posters from Tremors.
      Really appreciate your awesome coverage of Bodie.
      I’ll have to be better with my photos and descriptions

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  6. Perfect timing. We are traveling north to south. We will check out Schats for sure.

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    1. You can park your rig across the street at the park by the ball fields. Enjoy the park and your lunch
      I am looking forward to your trip blog.

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  7. We home bound folks are traveling along with you...

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    1. Thanks Jeff. Arrived at William Kent yesterday, did Donner Lake and Memorial today. I could have walked across the Truckee River on the number of rafts floating

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  8. Such change at Kramer's Corner but Fossil Falls might have to wait geologic time. I'm making notes from your journey north of Manzanar. Hope you are north of road closures. Be safe.

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    1. Just some smoke in Carson Valley. All the family arrived safely to North Lake Tahoe.

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