Adventure Week, Part 4: Halloween Carnival

Tonight was the Halloween Carnival in Lee Vining; here's a photo of my handsome little train conductor running amok in the crowd. Of course, he's saying probably about a hundred words now, but still refuses to say "train." (He says "truck" for train, and hilariously finished off tonight's dinner prayer with a "BIIIIIG truck" instead of the normal "Amen.")

Brian hasn't given up his music teaching gig. He had the first through sixth graders singing some spooky songs for the crowd.

Adventure Week, Part 3: Downtown Lee Vining

Needing to swing by the post office today anyway, Jack and I decided to explore the heart of Lee Vining for our adventure. We went to the Mono Lake Committee bookstore/art gallery/tourist trap because I figured we could pick up some of the "Long Live MONO LAKE" bumper stickers that I've seen on bumpers and railings everywhere. They have a really great selection of books as well, which is always fun for me. And, of course, we had to stop by Mono Market to grab a triple berry crumble bar and sit on the bench outside to watch the trucks fly by.

Adventure Week, Part 2: Lundy Lake

Having skipped an adventure yesterday (on account of my itchy eyes), Jack and I decided to take a fun little nature walk today at Lundy Lake, which is about six miles west of here, up in Lundy Canyon.

The lake itself was a little disappointing: lots of mud. (Okay, it was a disappointment for me. Jack absolutely loved those few fleeting moments in which I actually allowed him to stomp in the mud.) There are supposedly beavers at Lundy Lake; they must have hidden when they saw us. But Jack had fun searching for rocks, the bigger the better ("BIIIIG rock!"), and sticks. Here he is, performing some sort of instinctual caveman ritual with two choice twigs:

Adventure Week, Part 1: Mono Lake Park

This week, Jack and I decided to finally explore some of the sights around here. We started today at Mono Lake Park, just a five-minute drive, to see some of the famed "tufa towers." Jack enjoyed the quarter-mile or so boardwalk that led down to the water. Along the way, signs were posted to show the past elevations of the lake.

These are a couple of the most spectacular tufa towers just off the shoreline. There were a few on dry land as well.

Too close for comfort

It's been fun living here, being so close to nature. Every morning, I walk Casey a few houses down, and then straight into this deserty wilderness. The other morning, she actually chased a deer! It was too far away for her to catch up to, but it was still amazing to watch. Afterward, I swear she began leaping like a deer, over the scrub and mesquite and other desert plants that fill the landscape. We see rabbits almost every morning, hurrying into and out of neighbors' bushes. The bugs are bigger and the spiders are plentiful. And although we no longer live in Mammoth, where "Don't Feed Our Bears" stickers are on dumpsters everywhere, I've heard that once in awhile, bears are known to venture into Mono City from the nearby mountains.

Of course, being so close to nature can have its consequences as well. We learned this the hard way on Tuesday night. Brian called after work because the Bug wouldn't start, and we went to pick him up. It was about 7:00 and quite dark, and as we left Lee Vining, Brian shouted, "Deer!" There were two of them, standing in the middle of the highway. I slammed on the brakes, and the poor thing began moving out of my path, but I still hit it. The only way I can describe the experience is surreal, hearing the thud of a large living creature at the front of my 50-mph vehicle. There was someone behind us, so I couldn't stop right away, but as soon as I could, I pulled the van over so we could regroup and inspect the damage. We switched seats and I bawled the rest of the way home. Not sure if I cried more for our van or the poor deer!

Snow day!

Mono City mama

We have Internet again--hooray!!! I feel like I've been seriously incommunicado (sp?) these past couple weeks while we moved. And all I hear all day from my fascinating little conversationalist is: "Truck. BIG truck. Big truck. [Everything is a big truck.] Moorgee [more please]! All done. Moorgee! All done... BIG truck." You can safely bet that I am looking forward to some adult conversation at the little shindig that one of Brian's teachers is putting on this Friday.