Bug Bus High Sierra Backpacking trip

Hey everyone this Dave the bug bus guide,

Well I just got back from the first High Sierra Tour. We had a Blast.
We started off at the Bug on Wednesday and started our way up to Tuolumne Meadows but got side tracked at Crane Flat on Highway 120 junction, where there were three Bears. After taking several pictures of the Mother and her two cubs, we once again got on the road to the High Country. Arriving in Tuolumne Meadows we stopped and did a short hike to the top of Lembert Dome. This was a great overlook of the Yosemite Back Country, with Peaks starting their glow as the sun was starting to set.
The first night at Saddlebag Lake was beautiful and the weather was perfect for a high sierra night. After setting up camp I started cooking dinner for Jonaf, Dave, Rachel and myself. After dinner we cleaned up and settled down to a nice warm campfire.
The next morning was a bit chilly but sunny. We had breakfast and after clean up went on a hike around Saddlebag Lake to the Lundy Cannon overlook. After returning to the van we proceeded down Lee Vining grade and went to see the tufa towers on the shores of Mono Lake. We checked out the Cinder Cones of the Mono craters which told us a story of days gone past when Volcanoes ruled this area. We proceeded north on highway 395 to the Green Creek turn off and traveled eight and a half miles down a dirt road to Green Creek campgrounds.
Before setting up camp we took a four mile round trip hike to Green Lake. There were some beautiful flower displays still happening so I spent a lot of time taking some close ups of them and trying to learn my new camera.
After we got back to the camp site we set up the tent and proceeded to start cooking dinner. As the Tri Tip was on the grill cooking the campground hosts came over to introduce themselves and to let us know that there was a fairly large bear in the area and to make sure that we clean up our campsite before retiring for the night. As we sat down to eat here came the bear to see what was on the menu and seeing how Rachel was to fond of him being so close to us we tried to take a couple of pictures but ended up scaring him off and the only shot that I got of him was of his big butt running off in the woods.
After cleaning up and putting all food related items back in the van we set off to the Travertine Hot Springs for a good soaking. After watching sunset sitting in the hot springs we made our way back to camp, had another nice warm fire, ate s’mores, and told stories of our most scary, life threatening event.
The next morning we had a quick breakfast and headed to the old ghost town of Bodie for pictures, then back to Yosemite for a quick tour of Yosemite Valley and back to the Bug. All in all, quite the nice time and I’m sure one that we won’t forget.

Dave the Mountain Pirate

Cancer Benefit for Reen Perkins

Please join us for an evening of good food and entertainment to support a local Mariposan and friend, undergoing treatment for cancer.

Reen, an active teacher and student of yoga, has always lived simply to keep her load light and her spiritual connections strong. Now she is being asked to settle into a stationary life while she undergoes chemotherapy and other medical procedures.

This fundraising event is being put on by friends in the area who know and love Reen. Because we have all benefited from Reen's gentle and joyful teaching, now it is time for us to help her.

What: Dinner, Drinks, Donated Goods & Service Auction, Music & Dinner (all proceeds will go directly to Reen's cause)

Where: The Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort, 6979A Hwy 140 Midpines

The Bodie Room

When: Saturday, July 14th, from 5:30-10 p.m.

How Much: $30 for the full event, including two drink tickets for the bar (dinner served 6-7 p.m.), or $15 for two drink tickets & entertainment from 7:30-10 p.m.

Musicians donating their time and talents to the event are: Ben Carpenter, Ethan Steffensen, Matt Luczy and Denise Ludington.

Ticket Sellers & Event Correspondents:

Yosemite Bug office (www.yosemitebug.com, or 209-966-6666): Credit Cards accepted.

Sallee Lang (lang@sti.net or 209-966-6606): RSVP or General questions about the event.

Paola Jackson (snpjackson@sti.net, or 209-966-6212), & Ruth Ketvirtis (dibbyruth@yahoo.com): Volunteer coordinators.

Ruth Smiley (support@blueoakom.com, or 209-966-7141) & Regina Hill (reginah@sti.net, or 209-966-7795): Gift Donations.

Caroline McGrath (caroline@yosemitebug.com): Cash Donations. Make all checks payable to Dorothy Perkins, and mail to:
Yosemite Bug
Attn: Caroline
P.O. Box 81
Midpines, CA 95345

Can't make it, but still want to participate by making a donation? Mail your contribution to the above address, or contact any of the event coordinators to make arrangements.