We are losing the sense of time, I woke up at 1 am, felt like I slept enough, went back to sleep. However, I woke up again at 4:30 am. This time I couldn't go back to sleep, dang it, I went outside for a short hike before the sunrise. It was a cold morning. I decided to burn some wood after waking Jesse up. Campfire is something I really enjoyed in Great Basin, I am doing it for the last time, warmth of fire with a deodorant grade fragrance of smoke, ah, campfire is a ritual for campers. After checking out the Osceola Ditch quickly, we got to the Lehman's cave visitor center. We both agree that a lady at the Cafe was an awesome hanging character with a touch of old small town hospitality. Nice breakfast, we did not have to prepare it. Scrambled egg with English muffin basically. But her smile added to this breakfast experience; her name was Susan.

Now the cave tour!! This cave is not an extensive one, however it is uniquely decorated especialy with Shields and carried an interesting history. The guide said that there were weddings, school retreat, Ely's Pythian's initiation, Boy Scout's camping trip, and etc happened in the cave. It was a fun cave. I recommend to many that visits the vicinity.

Jesse and I decided to get the huckleberry shake, I put extra Strawberry cheescake in it. It tasted especially good with fresh blueberry that Jesse brought. Jesse has introduced the virgin experience of fresh blueberry to Sharon. She was delighted with a surprising gift. Now it is the time for main portion of the Loneliest road. Ely, Austin, Middlegate, small town here and there, and nothing just prevailed.

But the most loneliest road came after the Middlegate to Hawthorn via Gabbs. Wow, how can it get more lonelier than loneliest road? It did. Well, the boring road is about to change at Gabbs. We decided to gas up, then the gasoline price is 10 dollars/gallon?! "What the heck," Jesse thought. But it was only 3.17, not too bad at all. The old gas station machine confused us to unthinkable" it said 5 dollar/gallon, then with a permanent marker, "Double". Wow. But it was just a part of her calculation dealing with an old machine. Gas lady astounded me with her story of moving to Gabbs: She and her husband couldn't take the heat in Havasu, Arizona. After visiting her friend in Gabbs, she said, this is it. Since then, she is here. Wow, she must be a content lady. I respect her decision but with confusion.

Now more confusion, the town of Hawthorn: the American Patriatic Capital. Most of the downtown was Red, Blue, White. Even the flowers in the pot were of those 3 colors!!! Amazing. Jesse described it as North Korea version of USA. We ate good pizza there for dinner. It was a good one, and we toasted for America.

Coming into Mono lake area was beautiful. Eastern Front of Sierra Nevada greeted us, wow these mountains look full of pride. First day in California ended with a wonderful panoramic sunset around Bodie. We decided to camp near the creek by Bodie. No more long driving!!!

Man, those dust devils and shaking road pole were so mystical, , , weird face of Nevada,

Seish