Local Culture

Bill and Liz, Bob's uncle and aunt from Maryland came to visit us.  We took them out to see some of the sights.  First up was the Bristlecone Pine Forest.  Yes, there is was no snow in January and it was sunny and rather pleasant.

Sierra View Pano

Details from the interpretative signs

A close up of a tree that burned

Next our plan was to head to Manzanar and the Lone Pine Film Museum, but a Common Redpoll showed up at our feeder!  This derailed us for half a day.  Good thing Liz and Bill both enjoyed the bird.

The crowd waiting for the bird to show up

Eventually we managed to get to Manzanar National Historic Site.   Manzanar is one of ten War Relocation Camps where people of Japanese ancestory, including US citizens, were confined during WWII.

Link to the National Park page is here: Manzanar.

It is well worth a visit with a movie, displays, and recreated buildings.  I have been three times and always find something new.

We also visited the Lone Pine Film Museum.  Link to the film museum here:  Lone Pine Film Museum.  This museum explores the history of all movies and TV shows filmed in the area.  There is a heavy emphasis on Westerns starting with the silent films.

After the museum we headed to the Alabama Hills to look at the movie scenery close up.  It wasn't a beautiful warm day, so we spent most of it in the car.  We did though get out and search for Movie Road Arch.  Reportedly a 5' arch, that can even be seen from the road.  Even with the four of us looking we were unable to find it.

Alabama Hills in the rain

We finished up our local cultural tour with the Trona Old Guest House Museum and the Trona Pinnacles.  We had never been to the museum before and to the pinnacles only once.  Both turned out to be enjoyable.

First stop was Fish Rocks

Mural on the museum

The Trona Pinnacles

A mine entrance in one of the pinnacles