Mono Lake after an all night (post-work) drive from Portland. Weather looks solid.

Approaching Lone Pine, CA…well, the sky is not so blue anymore…

Lone Pine and the view of the Sierras from town. Rain and dark skies (July 2015).

Unknown climbers on the money section (pitch 2) of Airy Interlude (July 2015).

Starting up pitch 1 of Airy Interlude. A 5.8-5.9 pitch that was surprisingly long (July 2015).

Shirley topping out on pitch 1 of Airy Interlude (July 2015).

The Sorcerer as seen from Airy Interlude. There’s a party on pitch 1 of Thin Ice (July 2015).

Another shot of the climber on pitch 1 of Thin Ice (July 2015).

Unknown climber entering the crux on pitch 1 of Thin Ice (July 2015).

Starting up pitch 2.

Nearing the start of the traverse on pitch 2 of Airy Interlude (July 2015).

About to start the money section of the route on pitch 2 of Airy Interlude (July 2015).

Shirley in the thick of it.

…almost there.

Arriving at the belay.

Starting up pitch 3 of Airy Interlude. We belayed a bit earlier than expected because of traffic on the next door (see the climber?) Igor Unchained route.

Shirley at the belay atop pitch 2 of Airy Interlude (July 2015).

Rejoining Igor Unchained on pitch 3 of Airy Interlude (July 2015).

The Warlock as seen from the top of Airy Interlude (July 2015).

Shirley on top of The Witch (July 2015).

Unknown climbers on the spectacular looking Atlantis.

A garter snake we found in The Needles (July 2015).

Well – hello.

Here kitty kitty.

Looking at the cumulative mileage of the various cars we’ve driven (to their graves), we’ve logged somewhere in the 300-500K miles road-tripping the American West over the past 15 years. I could say that it doesn’t get old, but I’d be lying…some of the magic might be gone.

Of all the small towns I’ve always found those in Nevada to be the most depressing.

Always liked Idaho – now even more with their improved speed limit.