Alabama Hills, Manzanar, and Bishop

California Highway 395 -- Day 2, Lone Pine to Bishop

May 18, 2021 (Tuesday)

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After having a cup of complimentary coffee and some muffins at Boulder Creek RV park, we left the campground at around 10:00 in the morning. We will be spending the morning in Alabama Hills in Lone Pine, before continuing our drive north to Bishop for the night.

We intended to pick up some maps from the Visitor Center not far from the RV Park, but found it closed. So we just went straight into town and made a turn at the lone traffic light for Alabama Hills.

Nightmare Rock, Alabama Hills

Just a short drive up from Lone Hill.

With the view of Mt. Whitney.

We found Nightmare Rock by the road side.

It looked like they have given this rock a fresh coat of paint and changed the shape of its mouth.

Other than that particular rock, there are also quite a few interesting rocks in various shapes in the same vicinity. Just have to use your imagination to decide what they look like.

We have missed the turn-off by the rock, so we had to park across the other side of the highway.

This boulder was like just being placed there.

Enjoying the amazing sights.

Movie Flat Road and Mobius Arch

From Nightmare Rock, we continued our drive and made a right turn onto Movie Road. It was named because there were many film productions using this area as their location. I am not a movie person so not sure what all those films were but I am sure it would not be hard to get information at the Visitor Center. The only problem was that after about a mile into Movie Road, the drive turned a little bumpy because it's mainly an unpaved but maintained road. Many campers like to set up camps here if they don't mind boondocking, or dry-camping. And one would have to get here early to grab a good site. This is an excellent place for star-gazing but I assume quite windy at night.

We wanted to get to Mobius Arch and there is a small parking lot at the Arch Trail head. It is a loop trail but it seemed that it is easier to get to the arch from the entry on the left side of the parking lot and that was where we begun.

We took the trail down from the parking lot. It was about a 15-minute walk until...

we were met with some interesting rock formations.

And, the Mobius Arch which took some efforts to get up to for us oldies.

It can be a little crowded also, and may not be easy to have the place for a good photo.

He was able to get up there and took an amazing video of the arch with Mt. Whitney in the background.

Now, walking back to the parking lot on the other side of the loop trail.

I believe this is called the Heart Arch. The hole looked like the shape of Taiwan up close...

but at another angle, it's like a heart.

Rocks for miles around!

After Alabama Hills, we went back to Lone Pine and found the famous food truck for lunch.

Tacos Los Hermanos is parked on a side street right in town with excellent reviews.

We ordered our tacos and then parked at the city park for a delicious lunch because there is no parking for vehicles over 7 feet tall on the streets. As least that was what the signs said.

Great fish and shrimp tacos!

Beef burritos, huge!

Cheeks tacos, very good also.

Manzanar Internment Camp

"In 1942, the United States government ordered more than 110,000 men, women, and children to leave their homes and detained them in remote, military-style camps. Manzanar War Relocation Center was one of ten camps where the US government incarcerated Japanese immigrants ineligible for citizenship and Japanese American citizens during World War II." -- https://www.nps.gov/manz/index.htm

This is a dark side of U.S. History that we should not forget or repeat. On this bright, sunny afternoon, we came to Manzanar to explore the history and learn more about the situation many years ago.

Unfortunately, the visitor center was closed to visitors on that day but we were able to do a self-guided auto tour of the grounds.

Fire Department--this building was built recently to keep the old fire engine on site.

I believe Block 14 was the only area where visitors can walk around to see the exhibitions.

This was where we spent most of our time that afternoon.

Signs at the entrance of Block 14.

Only a few buildings remained on the vast piece of land.

One of the mass halls that is still standing.

Inside the mass hall.

Photo of residence lining up for meals.

At the very back of the camp, there is a cemetery with a memorial to remember those who had died here.

Only a few of the graves are left here with most of them being moved away.

After leaving Manzanar, we went past the town of Big Pine. A quaint little town.

J Diamond Mobile Ranch, Bishop

I have purposely booked our site for the night right in town so that we could walk around town easily without having to find parking for the RV. We were fortunate that a spot was available when I contacted them. This park is right in town on Hwy 395, next to the famous Erik Shat's Bakery where we planned on visiting. Making this a very convenient location for the night. 

Cute office for checking in.

There seemed to be many permanent or long-term residence here but the park is being well-kept.

A little stream was right behind our spot.

The tightest space I have ever seen for RVs but OK for one night.

Nice!

Erik Schat's Bakkery

I think this is the most popular attraction in town! All visitors would make a stop here for their famous fresh bread. And I must say, they were really good, especially their original Sheepherders Bread. 

Bakery and RV park right next to each other.

No RV parking here. Must park at the city park parking lot across the street which is quite a walk away.

All kinds of baked goods inside the store.

They even have a sandwich bar making fresh sandwiches.

Cute sign at the entrance. Matthew 4:4

Molcajetes Fusion Seafood

As for dinner, the lady at the RV park recommend Holy Smoke BBQ across the street, but unfortunately, they were not opened on that day. Son found this restaurant just a block away that looks interesting and worth a try. A little on the pricey side but really good food!

We still did not want to dine in, so we ordered to go and enjoyed our dinner inside the RV.

Walking back after getting our dinner. Holy Smoke across the street and we ended having our lunch there a couple of days later on our way home. Highly recommending!

Seafood Ceviche

Fish and shrimp plate, excellent!

Ended our day with a great seafood dinner. 

We will continue with our travel up to June Lake tomorrow!

"It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."  -- Matthew 4:4