Subes for life!

In the “Deedius is so predictable” department, you will not be surprised to learn that I’m back in the mountains. After a spectacular sunny bluebird drive back over 88 to 395, I headed for my usual spot near Lee Vining.

Last time I was here, it was temps in the low 20s and wind and snow and an uncooperative stove and overall just a bit more suffering than I was wanting at that particular moment in my life. This time, the sun and clear skies are predominant, and, although a few stray van-lifers have joined the party, I have once again attained Nature Nirvana.

The quiet is deafening. The fresh air is invigorating. The clean water is satisfying. The views are unparalleled. And, considering how close I am to a “city,” the solitude is unmatched*: Sierras and snow one direction; Mono Lake the other direction; snow-capped desert ranges to the N and S; one highway down below; not much local traffic**.

Come spring, this place will be crawling with tourists and climbers and nomads.

But for now, it’s all mine.

Yes! Fantastic!

*Though, a couple of other campers spent the night last night.

**This one time, at Deeds’ Camp, I hiked down to use the restroom and refill water bottles, and — no lie — about seven other rigs pulled in to do the same thing. It was like being in WoW, where you scan an empty village for signs of life and then 30 NPCs pop up as you walk around town. At least in game it’s just lag. Here, it was some colossal cosmic coincidence that all of us made the exact same plan at the exact same time. I don’t understand, but it happened.