15 September 2017, Friday

After a chilly night we warm our hands over the camp stove as our oatmeal raisin muffin is baking. I notice a bird drinking from the water bowl at the dripping spigot across the road. O and I watch through our binoculars. We have never seen this bird before. Out comes Sibley’s. The bird is an uncommon white-headed woodpecker. This is the second interesting bird sighting of the day. Earlier this morning as I was straightening up Vincent following our night of sleeping on the floor, a tiny grayish-yellow warbler came swooping into the van, apparently thinking it could fly right through the closed window on the opposite side. The poor bird became quite confused, falling behind the yeti cooler. It fluttered about and ended up on the dashboard trying to find an escape route through the windshield. I opened all the doors and gently scooped my hand behind the poor creature, shepherding him out through the open front door. Both the bird and I were quite relieved.

After breakfast and birdwatching O and I drive towards Reno NV where we have arranged a stop to say hi to an old friend from Delaware whom we haven’t seen in decades. After a too brief, but wonderful visit, we are back on the road towards Bishop. The drive is beautiful, with the Sierra peaks off to our west. We stop at the Mono Lake overlook and admire the blue waters and distant mountains.

We pause on our journey a short time later at the Epic Cafe in Lee Vining, California where we share a delicious plate of salmon cakes, brown rice and veggies. As we drive onward and southward the sun sets behind the high Sierra peaks. We finally arrive at the Bishop Village Motel around 8 pm, glad of our reservation as the No Vacancy sign is shining brightly.