Sunday, 3 November 2024 - Again - up early for a long drive north to Hot Creek Geologic Site.

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The site is at 8,500 feet above sea level and it was cold. On the positive side since the temperature was in the low 20s, the steam was visible.
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It was so cold - the creek was very cold and wonderful.
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The sun breaks across the edge of the site.

The water sinks a few miles down and is heated to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then it rises to the surface and vents into the creek.
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The warm water snaking through the gorge.

We were very cold after two hours standing in the 20-degree weather. Thankfully, Ryan knew of a very warm and delicious breakfast spot in Mammoth Lakes called The Stove.
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After breakfast, we could not head back to the hotel as they were cleaning our rooms. To fill in time, we went to Bodie State Historic Park, which is a ghost town.

Bodie at one time supported 8,000 people and 2,000 structures now reduced to about 170 structures. Not sure an outhouse qualifies as a "structure."
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Walked by this house and caught the noose.
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Looks like a hard place to live in the 1800s. Hard to believe so many thousands lived in the small valley.
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Water in the scrub.
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There was a little snow on the boardwalks.
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The buildings are boarded up and empty, although some had furniture (left over?).
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Clever to allow an old car to decay in front of a house in decay. The home looks better than the car.
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An old wagon in a field behind a huge warehouse.
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The buildings must be maintained to still be standing. The church is a fine example.
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In the afternoon we headed out for our sunset location - Crowley Lake Stone Columns.

These columns were the result of erosion after steam deposited erosion-resistant deposits as it rose in volcanic ash.
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There are over 5,000 columns identified over 4,000 acres - these are popular as they are at the shore of an artificial lake.
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The columns lean a bit to one side and have a ceiling like a church. Amazing natural formation.
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An alluring formation in a beautiful remote location.

The lake was created by a dam on the Owens River to supply water for Los Angeles.


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