Bodie

The old west town of Bodie is straight out of a Larry McMurtry book, if Stephen King wrote it. This classic mining town once thrived with multiple hotels, saloons, newspapers, brothels and even a Chinatown. But one day, everyone vanished. Look through the dirty windows of preserved structures and see dishes on tables, pencils on desks, cans on shelves, all covered in a thick layer of dust. Don’t miss the cemetery and jail. The park is only open in the summer, pack a picnic and plan to stay a few hours. Find a ranger and ask him what it’s like in the winter months. The Shinning, anyone?

Heading up to Yosemite? Or Mammoth? Do yourself a favor and stop in Bodie! A preserved ghost town of gold miner’s Bodie was California’s second or third largest city at its glory. It looks like one night there was thousands of people and the next day they were gone leaving practically everything behind! (Alien invasion?!) It is a great spot to spend hours wandering from building to building seeing how the town’s citizens lived. If you are into photography this spot offers many different subjects - landscape, buildings, macro - glorious practice area. There are organized tours, but I spend several hours wandering on my own. Picnic grounds are available so you can stay awhile and take a meal there as well. Fun spot for kids, historians, photographers alike!

The route to Bodie involves several miles of dust and very bumpy, dirt road. {There are two ways in; take one in, the other out. The south road is longer, but there are fewer cars and trailers!} Bodie is special; don’t let the number of cars deter you. Let the road take you back in time. At one point, the town grew to be 10,000 pop. at its height. It grew famous for its lawlessness, hence its wild west reputation. It has been well-preserved, including tattered lace windows. There is still a mine shaft lift, a bar full of bottles, a barber shop and a school house, all covered with dust at least an inch thick. I was impressed that people are still allowed to roam and peek in windows. I counted at least five languages while I roamed, most of which was German, interestingly. While it was serious fun to shoot the town as whole, I was most enthralled with the dark, ochre colors of the roofs set against the cool blue tin, supported by wooden striations. Take a water bottle and a snack. It is a full morning or afternoon to and fro.