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Rachel on 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown

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Alabama Hills (Lone Pine CA)

1 April 2023

After two weeks in San Francisco, I’m on the road again, on my way to Arizona. I’ve got some ideas for rides along the way and this was one of them. Fortunately the weather cooperated, providing me a sunny, clear afternoon with the temperature in the low 60s.

Lone Pine is in the Owens Valley, immediately east of the southern Sierras and Mount Whitney (which at 14,500’ is the highest point in the lower 48, although it’s only barely higher than Mount Rainier in Washington and Mount Elbert in Colorado). The Alabama Hills are weathered granitic knobs that protrude from the lower portion of the alluvial fans, just west of town, and have been the backdrop for many old western movies and TV shows.

My ride climbed through the hills on Tuttle Creek Road and returned to Lone Pine on the main Whitney Portal Road. My two side trips were very different. The first was a long straight climb on Horseshoe Meadows Road to the gate that marks its current closure (a couple of miles before the first big switchbacks and probably where I would have begun seeing snow). The turnaround was right where the road reached the top of the alluvial fan and began climbing the mountains themselves.

The second detour, but also the main reason for the ride, was riding out and back on Movie Road through the main part of the Alabama Hills. It was packed with tourists (only a few others were on bikes). I think the combination of the granitic soils (grus) and some recent road grading were responsible for Movie Road being awfully sandy in places and difficult to ride. It was closed to cars just a couple miles in, apparently due to some recent washouts (yup, it’s been raining hard everywhere in California this winter), but I continued for a ways before turning around. It would have been fun to explore more of the side roads, but the sand was deep and loose and I would have been walking the bike.

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From off.grid.cabins

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I fall in love with details.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

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Tour of the Goose Rocks, CT lighthouse. You wouldn’t think it was so beautiful inside-

The lighthouse has to be accessed by boat and then the metal ladder, but when you enter- 

That’s when you see the wow factor. Look at the living room - isn’t it amazing?

Fabulous master bedroom.

Second bedroom.

And, even an outdoor cooking area for warm weather. What an awesome little lighthouse.

http://www.beaconpreservation.org

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Chicken fried rice

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This is the 1896 Big Bay Lighthouse in Big Bay, MI for sale. (If only I had the money.) It has 7bds, 8ba, and the price is $1.95M.

It's been completely restored. Isn't it amazing how the red beam goes way up into the sky. It's overlooking Lake Superior.

The remodel was really good, preserving everything. Looks like the owner collects lights.

It's certainly cozy.

The dining room has brick walls and a wooden ceiling. The gorgeous chandelier conveys, too.

The kitchen is so cute. Love the vintage sideboard.

They did classic white shaker cabinets and reproduction vintage pulls. Great choice. Plus, they did a fancy tile backsplash.

They were able to fit a beautiful island in here, with a modern cooktop. Love the schoolhouse light fixtures, too.

I love a good remodel. You can see that they gave the original wood a coat of preservative- if you look closely, you can see how rough the old finish is.

The primary bedroom has a sitting area with a beautiful chandelier.

Very cozy. they even got a freestanding fireplace in here.

The bedrooms are large, and there are a lot of them, but they're beautifully decorated. They didn't knock down walls to make modern baths.

They've been running a B&B since 1986. It's small, though. The kitchen and living room wouldn't really accommodate a lot of guests at one time.

Almost all of the bedrooms have seating and this one has a cute wood stove.

Notice that they all have the same bedding.

Here's another cute bath with a pedestal sink.

And, here are the steps to the beacon- all original.

This restoration is perfection. Look at how beautiful it looks.

Wow, look at how choppy the water gets in winter.

I don't know what these little buildings are, maybe utilities or sheds?

What a gorgeous property. 4.56 Acres.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/4674-Co-Road-Kcb-Rd-Big-Bay-MI-49808/351229361_zpid/

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Izis Bidermanas. On the waterfront at Greenwich. London. 1950s.

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Some paths put you out on a limb

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🍃

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