Day 12 - Layover, Red's Meadow...

After a night's sleep, everyone gets to relax. Janet has decided that she will rest all day, minimizing her walking time to see if her leg will heal sufficiently to allow her to continue on Saturday for the next leg south. The rest of the gang decides to explore a bit. The Devil's Postpile National Monument is only a couple of miles away. All but Janet hop into Bill's car and head over there. After a short 1/2 mile walk, the postpile becomes visible along the trail.


Devil's Postpile...

The Devils Postpile formation is a rare sight in the geologic world and ranks as one of the world’s finest examples of columnar basalt. Its columns tower 60 feet high and display an unusual symmetry.

Another wonder is in store just downstream from the Postpile at Rainbow Falls, once called “a gem unique and worthy of its name.” When the sun is overhead, a bright rainbow highlights the spectacular falls.


Rainbow Falls...

After visiting the Postpile, most of the gang heads back into Mammoth Lakes to do some grocery shopping. We've decided that the fare at the Mulehouse Cafe ain't so great and are thinking that BBQ'd steaks and chicken sound a might better. Of course, a bottle of wine or two won't hurt either.

After returning, I wandered around a bit with my macro lens and found some local flora and fauna...


Ladybug...


Queen Anne's Lace...

After a wonderful dinner, everyone settles in for the evening. Around midnight, we are all awakened by a friendly bear who decided that he wanted a closer look at our cooler parked outside the front door. Although there is no food in it (only beer, sodas and water), he still knocks it over and makes a racket. I get up and go outside, scaring him away. He decides that maybe some of the other cabins have better pickings and splits...

Now, after we all settle down, the mice start in nibbling on something in the kitchen. Needless to say, not all of us got a great night's sleep...