"The Mountains are calling and I must go" John Muir

Winter is not the same in Santa Barbara! It's been varying from 40 to 70 and raining. I was ready for some snow! I decided to take my long weekend and head to the Sierras. I totally understand what John Muir was saying! I love it up here! The drive across the Mojave was great! I really know how to take a 7 hr drive and turn it into a 10 hour drive! I had glanced at the directions last week but when I really read the map as I was leaving town I saw that I was going by Edwards Airforce Base and decided I had to stop to see where the space shuttle has been landing.

How to turn a 7 hr drive into a 10 hour drive in 6 easy steps.
Drive down the coast along the Pacific coast highway and somehow not pull over to stare for hours. ( I have done this drive a bazillion times and I live here so not taking the time now)

1. Stop at the second citrus stand you see because you drive by the first and think..hmmm it would be good to have oranges for a road trip. Pick up at least 3 varieties of oranges. Tangelos. Yum!

Drive through the Mojave desert and stop at all the brown historical points of interest and anything else that looks interesting.

2. Stop at Antelope Valley to take pictures where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and where the space shuttle lands.

Decide to see if they have any museums or displays at Edwards Airforce Base. Hey when the sign says NASA 16 miles I will follow.

3. Get out at the gate of Edwards AFB and take pics of the planes on display.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2100236&id=1520514194&l=02eca4278d

Drive up to gate to find out that you need a visitors pass and someone to take you on base...Darn! Next time!! Scott???

4. Stop at a sign that says Jawbone station to find out it has nothing to do with dinosaurs and every thing to do with ATVs and off roading.

5. Stop for lunch at Red Rocks State Park and do a little off roading!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2100232&id=1520514194&l=fcd60cdce6

6. Stop again when you see a suspiciously placed huge pile of dirt that looks like a cinder cone from a volcano. Discover that there are fossil falls right there! Do a little off roading and get out and play on the natural playground! (This place was neat!) A MUST on your drive to Mammoth!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2100230&id=1520514194&l=92461845d8

Stop again for gas and to watch the sunset!

Pass on the pastry shop in Bishop and wait to stop there for Breakfast tomorrow!

End the day at and Irish pub eating Guinness Stew off an old HUGE bellows set up as a table! Cool place! Decent stew. (it wasn't Doolin)

Wow! I can't believe I haven't updated this since August! Been busy I guess!