Settling in/Memorial Day Weekend...

Opening day this year came the Thursday before Memorial Day and a major cold front came right along in time to blanket everyone with 2 inches of snow!

Luckily it only stuck around for 2 days and now we're back to sunny skies and temps in the 70's.

Sadie was sad to see the snow go as her favorite activity is playing fetch!

Our internet connection at the lodge is sketchy, at best, so here is our newest hang-out in the village.  We'll be visiting once a week to update the blog and check our e-mail.   It's really nice since we have the entire place to ourselves!  Ski season is over, but camping/fishing/biking/hiking season hasn't quite started yet.  I'm not sure we'll have the same choice of seating as the season wears on.

and finally, here we are in our neighborhood, just up from Lake Mary, overlooking Twin Lakes!

Until next week!  Happy Hiking!

Wildlife...

OK, so after a few days of letting it all soak in -- this is truly heaven on earth!  We drive home from work each day, after working our fingers to the bone, with a big smile on our faces.  It's a lot of work, but it's also a beautiful place!  The day we arrived, a coyote was roaming through the RV park in town.  Since then, we have seen lots of wildlife -- (you'll have to excuse us, but these pics were taken on the spur of the moment on our cell phone cameras)

Here's one of our favorites -- the thousands of chipmunks!  This one eats right out of our hands each day at lunch.  I have a feeling this guy is going to be FAT by the end of summer.

Believe it, or not, here is our first bear sighting of the season, all ready.  This bear, we're naming Cinnabear due to his cinnamon color has been causing all kinds of early season havoc around the lakes.  Luckily, he was just passing by our cabins looking for food handouts!  

Here's how close he actually was to us:

We're at the lodge and the bear was on the deck of the very next cabin! I know it's hard to see,but he's there, on the steps!

 And finally, the coyote on the hill.  I was standing at one of our water supply valves up the hill waitng to see if we have yet another leak in the main supply line and I look up to find a local coyote, looking for dinner

Hope you can see him just to the right of center.  He was initially about 20-30 feet away from me, but by the tine I found my cell phone and snapped the pic, he was trotting away.

Well, that's it for now. Isabel had one on the line today, but it snapped her line and she lost it!  I'm sure that wont be the norm this summer once she learns how to "play" the trout.  Trout are different from bass and she's still learning the difference!  I don't expect it will be long before she has trout in the creel!

Mammoth Lakes, First Week

Arrived May 10th in Mammoth Lakes, California to begin our 2012 summer season at Crystal Crag Lodge on Lake Mary.  First impression -- One of the most beautiful and wonderful places on earth!  Love the town, love the lodge, love the lakes, love it all!

Here's the lodge.  Plenty of snow still on the ground, even in mid May, but this is actually one of the mildest years they've had in a while.  There are 23 cabins of varying sizes and shapes, a main lodge and three RV spots right next to a stream for the crew.

Here's a view from about a mile up the road.  We're standing atop a series of waterfalls that drop into these two lakes... beautiful view from here!

Here's a view of Lake Mary from our dock, right across the road from the lodge.  The water is still and clear.

Another view of the main lodge with a few cabins in the distance.

Back in town at "The Village" here's Isabel, dreaming of the trout she plans to catch this summer!

So much for staying home this summer...

Well,

Somehow we knew deep down that we couldn't sit still for long! And our call to wander abroad came in from California again this year, so we're off on another work camping adventure and we're very excited!

We'll be traveling to Lake Mary at Mammoth Lakes, California this month to begin work at the Crystal Crag Lodge (http://www.crystalcrag.com/) to work with two other couples.  As the web site says:


Crystal Crag Lodge was originally built in 1927 by Barney Johnson who was captivated with the beauty and serenity of Lake Mary, and it has remained one of the jewels of the Eastern Sierra ever since, growing and improving over these many years with the five families that have owned it.Crystal Crag Lodge was originally built in 1927 by Barney Johnson who was captivated with the beauty and serenity of Lake Mary, and it has remained one of the jewels of the Eastern Sierra ever since, growing and improving over these many years with the five families that have owned it.  Nestled among the trees right alongside beautiful Lake Mary at an elevation of 9000 feet are the 23 cabins of Crystal Crag Lodge, a most exceptional place. But be careful. This can can be habit-forming. Since the 1920’s our guests have been coming back year after year to enjoy our breathtaking beauty, crystal clear air and water, amazing wilderness scenery, countless hiking and biking trails, some of the best trout fishing in the Eastern Sierra, and the relaxing and friendly atmosphere of Crystal Crag Lodge. Our rustic cabins are fully-equipped, including fireplaces with firewood, decks with barbecues, kitchens with utensils and dishes, and bedrooms and bathrooms stocked with towels and linens. Many cabins have incredible views of the lake and the mountains, and of course our staff of friendly hosts will meet all your needs.


So, rather than working at a compground, we'll be working at a resort with cabins, though we will be staying on site in our fifth-wheel.

Here's a picture of Lake Mary:



and here's one from the dock of the lodge:

Looks and sounds like we will have a great time!  We'll post updates along the way!