Adventures of Alpin: East Side! Vacation on Hwy 395

Andy fishing Convict Lake south of Mammoth

After Davey and CC's wedding, the three of us plus Hunter, Jeff and baby Carson, extended our vacation and drove north up Highway 395 on the east side of the Sierra. 395 is literally one of our favorite places in California (once you're just south of Lone Pine). Bishop and Mammoth are on the 395, as well as access to some of our favorite backpacking spots. I get goosebumps every time we drive on 395 because you have massive mountains rising up out of the valley on either side of you, in all their majestic granite beauty. It's hard to explain until you've been there.

First we stayed the night in Bishop, then walked around town in the morning to all of our favorite shops and of course Schaat's Bakery. Andy surprised me with our anniversary gift (2 years!) by getting me a Galen Rowell photograph at the Mountain Light Gallery. We lucked out because there was a sale and we got a second print virtually free. They are beautiful images of the sierra. Come see them!

After the morning in Bishop we headed south to Keauhou Hot Springs, which features a large hot tub (for mom and dad) and a swimming pool heated by the hot springs. Alpin could not wait to get in the pool, so after we both had a quick dip in the hot tub, we suited him up and took him in the pool. I've never seen him so happy, he literally thought it was the best thing to ever happen to him. He splashed and kicked, and Andy put him on the kick board and zoomed him around. He loved it. It amazes me how much our little aquarius loves the water, it's uncanny. Hunter and Jeff also took Carson in the pool for his first time. He was a little unsure of it, but hung in there for a bit. He was super adorable in his swim suit.

After swimming we headed up north to Mammoth and checked into the Austria Hof lodge, right at the bottom of Canyon Lodge. It was crazy being at the foot of the resort, but in the summer time. The mountain was so beautiful, and it is always nice being in Mammoth on the off season. The next day we went to Convict lake and hung out with the babies and Andy and Jeff got their fishing poles out. All the fall colors were out in force, and the Aspen were so beautiful, making the mountains look like they were painted with streaks of yellow and orange and red. We went out to Whisky Creek for dinner, of course, and celebrated our anniversary with the cookie monster desert sundae :-)

It was so nice having some time together with Hunter, Jeff and Carson. The boys had a chance to bond a bit, and spent time checking each other out. I'm sure Carson learned a thing or two from Alpin, and Alpin loves other babies. We can't wait till they are a little older, because then they will virtually be the same age.

We drove home through Yosemite, Alpin's first time. Too bad it was officially closed due to the government shutdown. We'll take him camping there next year.

Alpin having a blast at Keauhou (too bad we didn't get audio so you could hear his giggles):