Our Spring Fling in the Valley
The flowers are blooming in The Owens Valley, the air is fragrant with the scent of sweet flowers and bees are buzzing along in the symphony of nature. The valley was abuzz with activities last weekend.
In the high country, the alpine landscape is appearing from beneath the winter’s blanket, non too soon for many who after the chill of winter has lost its thrill, the long and winding roads beckon them whose flights of fancy roll along the highway on two self propelled wheels.
On Saturday, a lovely bike ride in Bishop brought out about 125 participants who rode a 30, 50 or 100 mile loops in the “Tour beneath the Peaks” a fund raiser for the Bishop Football team. The entry fees help to pay for equipment for the high school football team who are under the guidance of Coach Egan. Bill and Maggie put on the annual ride and many Mammoth and Bishop Locals alike were there to greet the morning and join together in a very fun event!
Of course the other big event of the weekend was the Choo Choo swap meet and the Bishop Home Show. The entire town comes out for this festive time and you can see everyone and their brother from Inyo and Mono County there checking out all of the great buys from other people’s homes and garages. Of course there are new products there too, Value Sports had a booth and was cleaning up on the sales of their recreational equipment.
At the home show, High Country Lumber out did themselves but building an actual home in section to show people how versatile they are in the items that they are selling. Included in their display was an outdoor fireplace and barbeque set up. Very nice display HCL!
Of interest to others was the Rock and Mineral Show. It’s not to be missed by those who are fascinated by stones and minerals of all sizes and shapes. Most of the stones are from around the Sierra, White Mountains and Inyo Mountains. Its surprising how many incredible mineral specimens can be found around the valley and how many people are “rock hounding” every weekend and who come from all over to find treasures in “them, there Hills’s. I’ve actually gone “mining” recently and dug up garnets from an area just outside Bishop.
There were many vendors at the show and one particular vendor was selling some very nice beads that I was unable to resist. Myself and my friend and fellow jewelry maker, Krista Koeppe were hypnotized by an array of color and textures of the beads. Rose quartz, moonstone, Labradorite, agate and Rhodonite were a few of the items that I was compelled to add to my bead collection, awaiting a moment of inspiration to create a something special for a friend. Until you’ve actually started collecting beads the whole idea seems silly, but it’s definitely a compulsion once you’ve been bitten by the bead bug!
Another added feature to the home show was the “Taste of the Sierra” where several restaurants and food vendors from Inyo and Mono Counties provided tasty temptations that delighted those who participated. Convict Lake Restaurant, The Glass Onion, Salsas, Doniece Cassel Catering, The Paiute Palace and Erick Schat’s Bakkery were among a few of the local food vendor that participate in the festive evening. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves and all the delightful taste treats.
Overall, it was a weekend not to be missed by those who wanted to get out and enjoy a fantastic spring weekend on the eastside!
