Dinner and unexpected exit stage left

We did laundry and had dinner down in Lee Vining. The plan was to drive back up to a lake just outside the park where there was a bathroom and people often boon docked. It looked great when we drove by.

However, as we finished dinner we noticed this tremendous haze had moved in. I looked online and saw there was a massive fire going on in the Central Valley just across the Sierras. So, not being too familiar with smoke conditions (New England being an environment more suited to human habitation) I thought it was best to drive away from the smoke. This from a former pack-a-day guy.

So I didn't take any more pictures but I white-knuckled it all the way up to Lake Tahoe. The smoke got thicker as went went (at first) but I was certain we'd be OK because I could always call... (no cell)... or at least stop (not many towns, hotels full)... as I said - white-knuckled.

But ended up at a nice motel and actually had a hot shower and a good night's sleep.

There is no truth to the rumor that I did all this to have WiFi so I could finally watch the Game of Thrones season seven opener - but it did't hurt.

On and the kids - stayed awake the whole way listening to Ender's Game. Finally got them to sleep around 11:00. They slept until 10:00.Read more