What's cool about that stretch of road is that the highway still goes through these small towns. We get to see travel the way we did back in the route 66 era with hotels and dinners that call out to you to stop. A lot of places in cali have been bypassed for no good reason other than to keep state agencies busy with something to do or spend our money. And the little towns usually perish as a result. Often,...you save almost no time bypassing them and you miss out on so much as you show viewers here. I love this stuff. Another good one here. Thanks and happy Father's day to all. Tell the dads how much you care about them while they're still around. Cheers. 👍
First time I was in Bishop (1963) we stopped in Mac's Sporting goods for fishing items before headed to Rock Creek Lake for some fishing. It is good to see they are still there 61 years later. It is hard to drive through Bishop and not stop at Erick Schat's Bakkery for some Sheephearder bread.
We used to live in Gardnerville, NV and made many 3-4 day trips to Death Valley a couple times a year. Hwy 395 was always a favorite road trip of ours. Now we live on the other side of the state and take a different route to DV. Thanks so much for sharing this road trip with us!! I sure miss that route! Nothing beats the Eastern Sierra's IMO! Bodie was also one of our favorite places to visit. Thanks for the memories Russ!
I first visited Bodhi in 1984. It was Thanksgiving Day so few people were there and a snow storm expected in two days. I drove in on the main road with no one at the kiosk and drove out the road that is now 4 wheel drive that opens to Mono Lake. I met the Ranger living in residence (back then caretakers changed in and out every ten days or so to shop, rest, do laundry, etc. She shared her experience living in Bodhi and gave me a short tour. I've returned several times with friends in the 80's and 90's. The Bunker Hill Mine on the hill was not always open but the last time we were able to schedule a tour with a guide for a fee. It was fascinating with all the old original machines, wooden floors and different levels. (I think the mine was closed down in the 60's). The reason that area is not open to everyone is that it is treacherous and you must follow the guide and cannot wander off. It would be dangerous to allow tourists to wander around the mine due to its age, original flooring and heavy materials. We were told there is still mercury in the building and the soil. There was a French Co. looking into reopening the mine due to the price of gold at that time but it never happened. This would have ruined the historic nature of the area. I can understand why there might be negative reviews since movement is restricted to most buildings. To totally upgrade them to allow entry would ruin the historic towns appearance. Also, it was biting cold in November, tumbleweeds rolling down the roads, winds singing through the rafters and I got a sense of what it was like to live in Bodhi. Only 20% of the original buildings remained after the fire. It looks pretty much the same as it did in the eighties. Thanks for the return visit Russ, great video capture!
Russ, you're living the dream! The Owen's Valley and Eastern Sierra Nevada are beautiful this time of year. Peace Love and Many Blessings from Northern Arizona ✌️ ❤ 🙏 🙏
Russ, how do you fund your travels? If I'm meddling, you don't have to say. But absolutely love this channel. And me being a Christian, I thank you very much for keeping everything clean cut.👍
Thanks for the video. I have vacationed up 395 most all of my life. There are amazing places to camp, fish and visit all along the way. So much history is there. BTW Mono Lake has no fish in it. Bodie is one of the most historical places in the Eastern Sierras.
Thanks for the memories. It's been 15+ years since I took one of my get-out-of-the desert motorcycle trips up 395 to who knows where? I usually make a point to stay at Bridgeport.
Mono Lake is too salty for fish. Bodie is at around 8400'. The mountain Pass you crossed after you left Lee Vining is Conway Summit at 8100'. You were above 6000' since not too long after you left Bishop until you were not too far out of Coleville. That's why it's been a little chilly for you. It can get hot there too. There are some rangers that stay there in Bodie through winter. Thanks for sharing this. I used to live in Reno which is also part of the Eastern Sierra. I have fond memories of the region.
Russ, Mono Lake is for the birds, literally. Don't believe there's any fish in there, just brine shrimp, which the birds love. It's a migratory stop for them. Watching your video's make me want to travel up that way again, its been a long while since I've headed that way. Thank you
You are entering the area where I'm familiar with. Last time you came down here from Oregon and we had wild fires everywhere. I remember I was watching your video and looking out the widow to see whether the smoke was coming at me or not? LOL
Hey Russ ! happy father's day, and thank you for these beautiful landscapes, God bless America !!, thanks again, i never imagined California so beautiful!. ❤👍
Enjoyed this Russ! I follow another RU-vidr , Brent from Ghost Town Living . Bodie has much more left than Cerro Gordo, CA where he lives. It was a silver mining. I am glad you went to the Bridgeport Museum so cool! Thanks again ! Happy Fathers Day.
Russ, did you know that back on Sunday June 9th that Lake Mead Marina, cot on fire and many peoples lost there boats it happen around 12:30 am Sunday morning. Google the matter and it will tell you all about it. How sad for peoples lost.😢
Took this trip a few yrs ago Mono was bigger than it is now and enjoyed Bodie would like to go back someday. It was worth the trip.thanks for taking me back
Thanks for stopping by the museum, I love looking at the vintage every day items. Those China teacups are beautiful. I love Bodie, so glad you finally visited there. I can only imagine the ghosts from the past come out at night when the park closes.❤️🌹👻
Much of Bodie burned down in the '30s from a fire started by a kid playing with matches. Surprised so many buildings remain. I was there in 1964 as a kid. About my only memory is the mill.
Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia some of the employees live in some of the houses. Those houses have been modernized. Cars need to be kept out of sight
I'm learning to relax and enjoy your videos. I do fast forward through much of the highway driving. But you show us such great view of your travels. Excellent. Thank you
Inyo and Mono Counties have been my work areas for 36 years, I’ve been all over the areas you showed. My wife and I are preparing for a 3 week driving trip to the south. As you went up 385 not far from Crowley Lake there is an area with a large green meadow that has a small wood building, as a amateur photographer, I’ve shot that building and area many times it’s so beautiful takes your breath away. It’s also the same area Elk migration path, I’ve actually had to stop to allow them to pass. So much to say about that area. Twin Lakes, the Town of Mammoth, town of Walker, Topaz Lake in Nevada has a wonderful RV camp that we’ve used with our RV. There’s a dry camp area along the Owens River outside of Bishop as well. The Walker canyon has experienced fires, slides, river over flowing etc. Carson City is cool. Thanks for taking us along! Oh, are you a Licensed Radio Amateur?? Lots of RVers are HAMs.
Hey Russ hope you had a Happy Father’s Day ❤ Bodie was cool. I imagine what life must have been like living there. Loved seeing those photos @ the museum 🤠👍
My husband Kris and I just started watching you a couple of days ago. We really ENJOY your videos. We are from central California and are in our mid seventies. We have stomped through these California sites during our time we could travel. Oh how we enjoy visiting these places once again, from our Lazy Boyz. Lol . We are looking forward to all your videos. Thank you.
The most interesting part of visiting here is being able to look into the houses, school, etc., that are there . You are able to see what was left behind. For example, the schoolhouse still has desks, books, etc.
My son and I traveled down 395 all the way to Hwy 14 then 58 after leaving Lake Tahoe; an all day trip (last October). We stopped in Bodie and really enjoyed it. The 3 mile wash-board road to get in was rough but worth it. We had lunch in Bishop. And, we visited Manzanar Japanese Encampment. The visitor center is very well done. Beautiful country all along that route. I want to go back and spend more time there. Safe travels, Russ! Your video’s are great!
Happy Dad's Day, Russ. I had to 'wife sit' and couldn't join the rest of the family, so I binge-watched your excellent travel shows. She's sick, but she's getting better thanks to GOD. Again thanks for your shows; made my day, sir.
We are in our 70s and just the last year or two I have noticed than there are a lot of prepared foods that I just can not deem to tolerate, fast food is one of them.
Russ, Mr Fales was 104 when he died, not 97. He was born 1829 and died in 1933. It was good to see the rustic town of Bodie, but, Bridgeport did have more pictures of historical quality than Bodie. Otherwise, good filming, great scenery. Happy Fathers Day, Russ.
HI, RUSS! I JUST STARTED WATCHING YOUR TOURING VIDEOS RECENTLY. THE BADLANDS WAS VERY INTERESTING AS WELL AS THE JAPANESE INTERNMENT CAMPS ON YOUR LAST VIDEO. I LOOK UP SOME OF THE PLACES YOU'VE GONE AND THINGS YOU'VE SHOWN US ON THE INTERNET SO I CAN LEARN MORE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME SHOWING US THE BEAUTY AND HISTORY OF OUR UNITED STATES!!
Whenever I’m having a Blah type of day, I can always rely on your videos to take me back to my home state and feel better, no matter how far I am. Love your vids as always!
its been a while since i been able to watch you(my computer died) left me with no contacts.... i get a good feeling to your music, i been around 4 or 5 years, this one is a gem,
Another great video Russ. I always hit like before I watch your videos. Because I know that they are going to be great. Please keep the drone shots coming. Safe travels.
Great vids. Convict Lake and the June Lake Loop would have been great stops. Convict is only a couple miles from the 395 exit. Convict is hands down the prettiest lake on that route. June Lake loop is a super scenic drive that loops right back onto the 395. Both free. Bodie is awesome.
GOD BLESS , UNITED STATES AMERICA , RUSS , RVerTV FANS. WE LOVE RVerTV - GRAND JOURNEY THRU - U.S.A. - GRAND VIDEOS - GRAND MUSIC. HAPPY TRAILS - U.S.A. - RUSS - RVerTV FANS. HAPPY FATHER;S DAY - TO EVERY DAD. Thank you Russ.😎😎😎😎😎
Thank you for this journey through Cali and Nevada! Can’t wait to see Carson City that old western town! By the way you DID forget your fishing pole didn’t you Russ? I’m disappointed!❤️🇺🇸🌏🌝
I’ve been to Bodie a few times. Epic country that’s for sure. Nearby Benton is an interesting place as well as the drive up White Mountains to the Bristlecone pines. And driving -Wow the price of gas is just under $7/gal in Bridgeport.
Russ, I just had to check in and let you know I'm still out there :-) life has been swamped although I still try to squeeze in time for a little of RVER TV.........
Wow Russ! I saw one little critter in Bodie! When you were panning the camera to the right on a street a small gopher or something went the same way as you panned! Kind of a surprise to me! Glad you were able to circle the Ghost Town and get some exercise! See you on the next one at that museum!❤️😀🇺🇸
I lived up in Coleville Cali for several years in the 60s. There are many great places to explore. FYI - fishing is not allowed in Mono Lake nor any water sports. Other lakes in the Mono Basin/county are open for fishing as are streams. It’s always best to check regulations first. Cali tried to make regs cleared but only seemed to add to the confusion. Haven’t been in the area for several years, but still have friends who live in Led Vining.
I did some research on Bodie. There was a 3’ narrow gauge railroad to Bodie, the Bodie & Benton Railway, 32 miles long. I did not connect to any other railroad-it was isolated. Material used in Bodie must have come overland. It could be possible because equipment was brought overland to other camps and there were not any railroads. I also read that there are staff that live in Bodie, explaining the overhead power lines. Fees, they must do upkeep to the buildings. I read that other ghost town attractions, visitors are restricted to gain access to the buildings.
