Sonora Pass & Bridgeport, Eastern Sierra Nevada, California, USA - 26 June 2009

The travel bug had bitten yet again. With summer officially here and road and weather conditions up in the Sierras more manageable, it was a perfect time to explore the "other side" (i.e. the Eastern side) of California's mountain range. The goal was to drive up to Bodie, 7 miles south of Bridgeport, to explore its authentic and well-preserved California ghost town. (I slept the night in Bridgeport before heading out to Bodie the following morning.)

Heading eastward from San Jose, the total journey to the cowboy town of Bridgeport took 5-6 hours with intermittent stops to take in scenic views of peaks, valleys and streams along the way. The most scenic route was along the windy State Route 108, also known as the Sierra Nevada highway pass, which linked small towns like Jamestown and Sonora (in Tuolumne County) on the west of the northern high sierra to the eastern town of Bridgeport (in Mono County).

My old car double-timed and gradually climbed the Sierras, passing 3,000 ft...4,000 ft...5,000 ft....until I gleefully reached the (second-)highest point of the Sierra highway at Sonora Pass (at elevation 9,628 ft or 2,935 m). From there, it was all downhill (and a dramatic drop on the eastern slope of the Sierras I might add!) to the valley floor. There was a brief moment of concern when I smelled burning brake pads as I carefully maneuvered the car down the windy road.

Above: Sonora Pass @ elevation 9,628 ft or 2,935 m (leaving Tuolumne County, entering Mono County)

Arriving at Bridgeport at dusk, I was a little surprised to find not more than 20 buildings along its main U.S. 395 highway. This was it - the small town of Bridgeport. This would be a place where "everybody knows everybody"; the town's tourism flourished in two distinct seasons - fishing season (generally from May to October) and freezing season for winter sports (generally from November to April). Surrounding the town (with the Sierras as a beautiful backdrop) were fertile meadows where cows grazed and roamed freely.

While out walking, I was delighted to catch a rodeo practice at dusk at a livestock range in town. Two teenagers were practicing their harness throw on calves and then leading the animals back to the gate. The dusk atmosphere (with the sun setting in the background) added a layer of cowboy melodrama to the entire scene. Simply memorable. The day ended with a beautiful golden sunset on Bridgeport lake....a reminder that the best things in life are indeed free!!!

This would be an opportune moment to share the Code of the West that I had read about in a Cowboy Ethics book (by Jim Owen). The 10 principles to live by are:

1. Live each day with courage
2. Take pride in your work
3. Always finish what you start
4. Do what has to be done
5. Be tough, but fair
6. When you make a promise, keep it
7. Ride for the brand
8. Talk less and say more
9. Remember that some things aren't for sale
10. Know where to draw the line

Simply said - one must have heart and be real.

Above left: The Northern Sierras' reflection on Bridgeport lake

You may also like: Bodie and Tioga Pass; Sequoia National Park