california’s unique mono lake and bodie ghost town

 

Mono Lake, Lee Vinings, CA
Landscape around Mono Lake is rather dry and surrounded by craters

California has so much more to see than just the city of Angels, Golden Gate, Yosemite, wineries and Disneyworld. We recently went to visit a couple of those less-known, but so unique places. The first one was Mono Lake in Lee Vinings – just on the other side of Yosemite, and the other one was Bodie Start Park, or better known as the ghost town. This little, deserted city in the middle of nowhere, near the border of Nevada used to be better known as the real wild, wild, west town with gold mines.

The unique factor of Mono Lake are the tufas – sort of limestone formations sticking out of this very alkalic lake  and there are volcanic craters nearby too. It is just so breathtakingly beautiful everywhere. Kids loves looking at the little brine shrimp in the water and walking around too.

Bodie was ever a bigger success – mind you though that you need a sturdy car as the last 3 miles area on rocky, unpaved roads! Less than 10% of the wooden buildings are still standing, some in very bad shape, but then others have been well preserved and can ever be visited. It is a bit eerie to see the classroom of the school left looking like the kids are taking a break, or the shelves stacked in the general market. At the same time it is a real glimpse to the lives people used to have at the turn of the century. Kids need to mind their steps though as there is plenty of glass, nails and other hazards around! But both destinations are definitely unique and recommended if you are in the area – otherwise the journey up is a really long one as you need to cross the mountains at the altitude of 9-10 000ft.

Mono Lake, Lee Vinings, CA
The views were just breathtaking and colours so vibrant!
Mono Lake, Lee Vinings, CA
These famous tufa formations are everywhere
Bodie State Park - Ghost Town
It’s a long way to Mono Lake…

The drive is long to this in-the-middle-of-nowhere desert destination between the CA and Nevada borders – and you better have a high car as this is a bumby dirt road

Bodie State Park - Ghost Town
And all of a sudden, the views opens up with buildings everywhere!

The town literally is in the middle of nowhere, accessed by a long, winding dirt road

Off main St - Bodie State Park - Ghost Town
Narrow lanes, furnished houses – eerie feeling!

View off the main street – this town was one of real “Wild Wild West” towns and at best there was around 10000 people living here

Bodie State Park - Ghost Town
The general store of Bodie – still has a stock of merchandise inside…

Bodie State Park - Ghost Town
Gas station and an old truck in Bodie

Bodie State Park - Ghost Town
Views of the main street – over 90% of the wood buildings no longer exist

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