If you recall the previous post, we reported that Cathie broke her leg. It really doesn't matter how it happened, either her dad fell on her or she was sky diving, it did in fact happen. After 4 weeks in a cast and that much additional time in a leg brace, we were going stir crazy. Cathie, because she was sitting most of the time and me because I had to wait on her. All this time she had been complaining to the medical folks that her ankle hurt, but they assured us all was well and any foot and ankle pain was normal.
When they let her bend her knee, still in the brace and putting limited weight on her foot, both her knee and foot swelled up. Normal they said. Finally we went to urgent care and it was discovered that she had a blood clot behind the knee. So I had to give her injections of a blood thinner. I hate needles, but it was ok since it wasn't me getting poked. But she was still having pain in her foot, so she finally got someone to x-ray her foot. Lo and behold she has a broken ankle. Who would have guessed.
So now she's in a rigid boot for who know how long. Her leg has healed nicely and she has some mobility with the use of a cane so we figured it was time to get out of town. Because of her injury, we had to cancel a planned 2 month RV trip and now we had the chance to hook up and go. Only a week mind you, but it was better than nothing.
With the temperatures at home forecast in the low 100's what better time to head to the Eastern Sierras. Because Cathie was going to be pretty much confined to the RV, with the exception of drives in the countryside, we opted for the Golden Pine RV Park in June Lake. Anyway almost all the forest service campgrounds had closed for the season. So with full hookups, cable TV and Internet, it was just like home, except it wasn't. Only a couple of other RV's in the park due to the lateness of the season. We manage to arrange for perfect weather for the entire week, with cold crisp nights and warm days with cloudless skies.
We managed to get in several drives to places we had never been, which is pretty amazing as we have been in the vicinity many times. It's is possible that we had been there before but due to our advanced age we may have forgotten previous visits.
We took a drive out to Benton Hot Springs, which is out in the middle of nowhere, but still in California. There are hot springs there, but it appeared that they were closed for the season with no one around. On the way there we came across several groups of wild horsed which populate this part of California.
The fall season in the Eastern Sierra can be very beautiful and although most of the color was gone when we were there, but we did manage to find some.
Cathie was not able to do any hiking or much walking for that matter, but both my legs were working so I managed to get in a couple of short hikes. First I took a short hike up to Parker Lake, where I have been before. An easy 3 mile hike to a beautiful lake.
My second hike took my up a steep trail to Gem Lake. At 7 miles and an elevation gain just shy of 2000 feet, I got a pretty good workout. Before reaching Gem Lake, you past Agnew Lake. Both lakes are man made with dams constructed in 1916 and 1917 with the water from both eventually ending up in Los Angeles. Most of us Californians know that water from the Eastern Sierras flows through a series of streams, river, lakes, canals and aqueducts to supply Los Angeles with it's water. Many of the locals don't like this, but there's not much they can do about as Los Angeles bought up all the water rights in the early 1900's. A group did manage to sue the City of Los Angeles, forcing them to gradually return water to Mono Lake.
GEM LAKE
Looking back at Agnew Lake
This rail system was used to haul material up to the dam sites on both lakes during their construction. As luck would have it they are no longer in operation, so I had to walk.
Because the train was no longer in operation, I had to take the trail along this cliff. Not fun, but by looking at the trail and not over the edge, I managed not to wet myself.
THE OWENS RIVER ON THE WAY TO LA
We were only able to spend one week in the Sierras, but we relaxed, which was greatly needed. It was great therapy for both of us, something that was long over due. But Cathie has physical therapy once a week and she couldn't afford to miss too many sessions, so we were forced to head to the barn. Of course as it is with Gassaway's Adventures, we will be back.
