Like many kids of my generation, I spent most of my youth oblivious to the injustice done to Japanese Americans during World War II. And when I did learn of it as a college student, I remember my shock to learn that the US government could detain citizens in remote, isolated, relocation camps. When I moved to California and learned about Manzanar's Visitor's Center and exhibits, I was anxious to take my kids to visit.
Plunked down and fenced in just off a lonely stretch of 395, Manzanar is a bleak place, and it is not hard to imagine the loss and desolation these Americans must have felt on arrival. Almost nothing of the original camp remains, but a committed group of descendants and goverment organizations are working to recreate and restore the camp and museum. Barracks have been rebuilt to paintakingly reanimate the experience of the people interned and the museum includes interactive, immersive, engaging educational activites.
Because this was a fairly large town, though, the grounds are expansive and many areas can be accessed by driving through the camp and stopping occasionally to explore. There are relics of the Japanese's people's everday lives including enchanting gardens that are a testiment to the gracious spirit, competitive drive, and love of beauty they enjoyed.
If you're thinking this sounds like a drag, and not something you want to experience while you're on vacation, you're so wrong. While we were there, my family hiked, explored, imagined, listened, watched, discussed and engaged. And when we left, we were filled with pride and compassion for the resilient, passionate, gracious people we felt we had come to know through their stories. I'm not usually one for grand speeches, but .... this stop along the 395 gives you a great opportunity to engage your kids about the Constitution, fear, war time decisions, the world as it is now. As terrible as Japanese interment was, my family coud not help but be impressed by the stories of the residents, their gardening competitions, the "fishing club," their many churches and activities, and their weeks long trips into the Sierras fishing for trout. There is a lot to admire about the indomitable spirit of the people who endured internment.
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Looking for a perfect stop to get the wiggles out or to have a picnic? Check out the Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery. Located just a few hundred yards off 395, the hatchery offers leg-stretching activity for kids and kids at heart. As you turn from the stark, desolate 395 to climb a few hundred yards to the hatchery, the access road opens to reveal classical architecture and a lush, wild-life-filled pond of the The Mt Whitney Fish Hatchery. For nearly a a hundred, the hatchery provided fresh trout to the Eastern Sierra. But after environmental setbacks in the early 21st century, the hatchery shifted its focus to education and preservation of the areas natural resources. Now it provides the perfect place for families or couples to relax in the shade, even on the warmest Sierra summer day. Take a tour, feed the fish, check out the exhibits. Or simply relax under a shade tree and soak in the architecture and natural beauty, framed by the snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Sure, let's be honest. Mojave seems like just a little crossroads town with a prominent display of lycra leggings (and now masks), billboards you don't want your kids to read, and tons of questionably-safe options for cheap gas. But Mojave is also home to an international test pilot school, some of the most exciting space and aviation test going on, an eerie airplane boneyard, a bank of Tesla superchargers, and a fantastic Thai restaurant. It also happens to be where, in 2017 and 16 years old, my son did his first solo in an airplane built by his grandfather in the 1970s. Driving through Mojave can be tricky ... traffic is usually pretty heavy with tired travelers, dusty trucks, and impatient aviation employees. It is also a well-known speed trap. So slow down and take a minute to look around at the interesting and somewhat bizarre sights along the way. The airport is open to traffic, but most aerospace hangars and offices are not accessible and not open to visitors. You can see the boneyard from the 14 as you pass to the north of the airport. There are a couple of decent options for dining in Mojave. Mojave Thai Cuisine is a favorite of the test community who work in the area, and the airport also has a traditional diner called the Voyager, which is fun for adults and kids alike and offers a ring side seat for the flightline. What a wild ride this has been! But you, our guests, have been so kind, so understanding, so patient as we have all muddled our way through the chaos that Covid19 brought to your spring plans and our bookings. Truth is, we had emergency plans in place. We'd managed avalanches, wildfires, medical emergencies with our guests. We'd helped many with travel troubles and dramatic personal issues. But nothing. Nothing. had prepared us for the sudden upheaval that Covid19 brought to our business, our guests, and our staff. Hearing you share your disappointment of weddings cancelled, family reunions postponed, long-dreamt-of trips delayed was an important part of our journey through the last months, and we are grateful that you shared your troubles with us.
Despite our usual cancelation policy, we were able to work with guests to find resolutions to most of the booking delimmas. Thank you, guests, for taking time to understand the needs of our home owners who have contractual cancelation policies in place to protect themselves from loss. And for recognizing that this pandemic is devastating to guests and owners alike. Moving forward, we appreciate that making plans is still difficult when there continues to be so much uncertainty. As of today, Mammoth and Mono County are now open and we are committed to operating as safely as possible. Flexible policies to assist guests:
Things are changing minute by minute, but over the next few weeks we will keep updating this current list of restaurants that are open. If you find that the info is incorrect or needs updating, please let me know. Thank you for creating and updating this list, Mammoth Restaurants Open for Take Out & Delivery Facebook Group! You've made it easy for us to support small business in Mammoth!
I know. You can't wait to get back to the Eastern Sierra. You've been cooped up so long, and you want to make the most of your trip. But you're not sure what's safe, and what's not. You don't want to call a stranger out of the blue and schedule an activity not knowing if that person takes risk seriously.
That's why we've teamed up with local partners who we know and trust -- and who have had their re-opening plans vetted by the Mono County health department -- to offer you a curated menu of exclusive activities that you can book without worry. We'll admit it, so far our list is pretty short -- fishing, and rock climbing. But as more and more activities open, we'll be adding to our list. One of the biggest fears of the local community is that once we reopen, there will be a spike in Covid cases from guests traveling to Mammoth from Covid-19 concentrated areas. A case spike could lead to pressure on Mammoth's very small health care resources, loss of health in the community, and a second shutdown of tourism until the spike can, again, be controlled. In order to mitigate that risk to our community, we will be offering grocery shopping services for guests. The less often guests are in the market, the less likely we are to experience community spread of disease from local to guests, or from guests to locals. It is always a good idea for guests to bring as many of their own supplies as possible but we are happy to help if you would like for us to shop and stock your fridge prior to arrival. There will be a small fee for this service to compensate our staff for their time. Please note that as a part of our Covid Protocol, we will not be personally interacting with guests except in an emergency. For that reason, it is important that you notify us at least 3 days prior to check in with your complete shopping list so that we can purchase your items and stock the kitchen prior to your check in. Because of the governor's stay-at-home order, the Town of Mammoth Lakes and Mono County have restricted rentals at homes, hotels and campgrounds to non-essential persons through June 30. But 395 traffic data and traffic around town make it clear that many guests are choosing to visit the Eastern Sierra despite the lack of accommodation. And why wouldn't you want to? Its a breathtaking escape and distant by nature. If you do choose to visit the Eastern Sierra during this time, either as an essential traveler, a day-tripper, or a dispersed camper, it is important that you reduce risk of Covid exposure to yourself and others, follow local norms, and protect the land by following a few simple guidelines:: Check out our tips based on the 7 principles of Leave No Trace:
1. Be considerate of others by respecting the community vibe and ordinances for social distancing and mask wearing.
2. Plan ahead and prepare to follow Covid-19 ordinances and community norms.
3. Travel and camp on durable surfaces and avoid crowded areas where physical distancing may be difficult.
4. Dispose of waste properly.
Times are tough. When you gotta 'go,' where do you go in the Covid-19 era?
I'll admit that as a mom of 4 boys, I've had to stop the car *many* times to let them do what all boys (that I've raised, anyway) love to do -- pee behind a bush. We've been forced to do this more recently, when we were unable to find a developed bathroom because of Covid closures. Its also obvious from the bottles filled with urine that line the roadside that some travelers are irresponsibly tossing their plastic-covered waste onto the land. Please be respectful of our Eastern Sierra home. If you pee in a bottle, please dispose of it in a rubbish bin, not on the land. And particularly if you have to do 'big business' in the wild, be responsible and pack it out or handle it responsibly using a (very deep) cat hole. Here's our list of where you can 'go' along the 395. Have an update for me? Please contact me using the chat button at the bottom right of your screen. I'll keep updating this list! Coso Junction Rest Area Crestview Rest Area Division Creek Rest Area Carl's Jr in Bishop Bishop park next to Amigo's restaurant Independence Park Bishop Town Park Lone Pine Town Park Fort Independence Gas Station & Casino Pearsonville Shell & Subway Coso Junction Gas Station (store open but bathrooms not confirmed) Bathrooms NOT Open McDonald's in Lone Pine (dining area closed to customers/drive through only) Subway in Lone Pine (dining room open for take out only/bathrooms closed) Dang. What day is it? For that matter, what month is it? The struggle is real to come up with ways to describe our current situation because I have a long list of sayings that I would never like to hear -- much less use -- again:
So rather than blather on, I'll just leave this here: despite a frightening early peak of cases, Mammoth and Mono County stayed strong and they have crushed the curve. Early on, Mammoth Mountain shut down operations and Mono County and Mammoth Lakes activated a Emergency Operations Center. They actively discouraged visitors (and even second home owners) from traveling in. Largely because of the adoption of fairly extreme distancing measures, the EOC had time to manage the local Covid-19 situation and increase healthcare capacity.
As of today, no one is hospitalized for Covid 19 in Mono County. There have been 29 positive Covid-19 tests of 313 tests given. Mammoth is now working toward a June 30 opening to visitors and we are also hoping to be allowed to host visitors soon. For the most up-to-date info about the situation in Mammoth, visit the Mono County Covid-19 portal. |
AuthorMary Beth is the owner of Adventure Refined, where she offers true luxury Mammoth Lakes homes to guests. In her spare time she runs a ranch, loves a test pilot, and raises 4 boys & a 4 spoiled rotten dogs. Archives
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