A Man and His Horse

"Hands", as the spotted Appaloosa horse is named, is in love with Jeffrey.  The feeling is mutual.  We stayed with both of them in an RV park Jeffrey owns and manages single handedly in Bridgeport, CA.  He is amazing.  With a work ethic that beats most, he is at his job from dawn to dusk.  The park shows his effort.

Hands (and Jeffrey) are older gentlemen and this is their summer endeavor at the edge of a reservoir that is barely hanging on.  The once marina and RV park now exist above a pasture lying between them and the water in the distance.  It is a grand view toward the west and the Sierra Nevada mountains and I don't care about the distance to the water.

Jeffrey told me to watch for the stars.  Here with no lights to interfere, the stars on a clear, cool night are strewn across the sky like a pouch of diamonds thrown onto a black velvet covered counter. Awesome is the only word to describe the wonder of them.

This is a serene place to reconnect with your soul or whatever inner essence you dare to hold dear. Here you can reconnect with it in the evening silence that surrounds you.  Watching the sun set over the mountains, I am keenly aware of the majesty of the earth.  It overwhelms the infinitesimal existence of mankind.  Is there not something in that to be grateful for?

I look forward to a return to this place as a reminder of what is truly important in life.  A place to connect with what and whom one holds dear.

Willow Springs RV Park

Bridgeport, CA is our next stay over for two days with four parks to see.  Willow Springs RV Park is another fine site to spend two nights (again set amidst trees-in this case white birch I believe but maybe silver aspen?)  Note:  I am going to have to make a study of trees so I can report their proper identification.  I'll add that to my study of cones (pine, fir or conifer) and get back to you soon!

A small stream flows past our park on the opposite side of the road and a trail behind our RV leads back up through a small canyon.  Picnic tables sit under the pine trees in front of us and a large fir pit for campers is situated nearby surrounded by benches for a communal venue.  They have eight motel rooms to rent also with the whole endeavor being handled by people our age and up-immaculate housekeeping is done by an 84 year old woman!  There are birdhouses on multiple trees (also made by an 87 year old annual camper) and hummingbird feeders are hung to draw in these tiny birds.  Flowers planted everywhere about the grounds add to the enticement for birds and humans alike.  The camaraderie and pride in their work is evident and welcoming.

Down the road we encounter the town of Bridgeport.  Here we see its reservoir which is barely holding its own against the drought. Two thirds of the exposed lakebed is now grass covered with herds of cattle free to graze where once there was water.   Two marinas on the east side of the lake with their respective RV parks are devoid of water.  Fishing is only still possible on the far opposite end of the lake away from town.  Now alternative activities like hiking, biking and riding ATVs are promoted.   The town's county courthouse is touted as a historical site so we stop to take photos of it.

Twelve miles away, driving to the south of town toward the mountains are two lakes called Twin Lakes.  Here water is abundant and fishing is fine.  The daily thunder storms we've experienced over the last few days again seem imminent in the gathering clouds as we drive up to see a resort at the very end of both lakes where the valley runs into the base of the mountains.  We find the marina is lively, campers abundant and the camp store massive and busy.  This is a destination resort with every amenity from gas and a cafe to sundries and a marina offered, keeping its clientele from having to make a twenty four mile round trip to Bridgeport.

We are home before the rainstorm comes and the sound of raindrops make a soothing music on the roof of our RV to accompany what is becoming a regular habit of taking a short afternoon nap.  We are nearing the end of our work and it is a mixed sense of stress to finish the job well along with a feeling of relief that soon the pressure of the work will be over.