Stellar Brew revisited

Perhaps the most likable coffeehouse in Mammoth Lakes. The outside gets sun and air which can be nice, but it can also alternate between being too warm and too cold. The inside for me was cozy but also prickly warm and dry. I think due to the transition of seasons it was difficult to find the "Goldilocks zone".

side view Sierra

the road to Mammoth

Sierra scenery

The way it looked north of Lone Pine...

another Best Western view

Also with a moon thrown in for effect. 

Alabama Hills Café & Bakery

A nice new addition to our Lone Pine repertoire, especially for breakfast. Food and service were excellent; loved the quirky mural outside and the handy Alabama Hills map on the inside.

morning views

Also from our hotel, but with completely different light and the moon and some birds thrown in for effect. As I recall it was as chilly in the morning as it was blazing hot in the afternoon.

Best Western views

More stunning views, this time from our hotel on the south edge of Lone Pine.

 

view of Mt. Whitney

On a quiet edge of town in Lone Pine someone took the trouble to set up this simple "viewing station". What a great use of the local resources with grassy meadows and hills in the foreground and the High Sierras raging in the background.

Lone Pine apple pie

Seems to be our tendency, upon arriving in Lone Pine, to partake of sweet homemade pie and plain coffee at The Grill. Across the street the High Sierras scream at full blast, but inside the café it's all pie and coffee.

classic California drive

A classic California drive through the Mojave Desert, Eastern Sierra and Owens Valley. Not a cloud in the sky. Photos taken by a certain lovely wife and trusted copilot.

gas in the desert

Three reasons why these gas prices are high: 1) it's California 2) it's a remote location (California City in the middle of the Mojave Desert) and 3) the new war with Iran. Compared to Europe our prices are still low, so I'm not complaining - just observing.

Mojave Thai parking lot

Mojave Thai 2026

Probably the best Penang curry and broccoli you'll find in the Mojave Desert. I'm not aware of any competition. This was a memorable meal, and I'm thankful to Mojave Thai for existing.

Rasoi revisited

Their paneer tikka burrito is a good choice when a big hunger hits. "Rasoi" is the Hindi word for kitchen. We love expanding our Hindi vocabulary with the help of delicious Indian food.

Honey Cup interlude

maritime museum moments, part 2

maritime museum moments

Give me a camera and a visually interesting venue and this is what you get. My specialties are color and light, although composition also plays a role.

C.I. Maritime Museum, part 2

I liked learning that Bodega Bay - the northern California village - was named after Spanish explorer Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra (bottom photo). In the course of over six decades, no one ever bothered to tell me that.