putting the knit in shizknitz

This past weekend to Mammoth was exactly what I needed. After our breakfast Friday morning, we were off, through the 405 and 5 traffic, and right into the Butterfly migration. There were so many of them, it almost looked like it was snowing butterflies. They were hitting us on the windshield, side mirrors, you name it, they were there. By the time we stopped, our windshield looked like it had been splattered with mustard. We got to Mammoth right after sunset, and although the roads were clear, it was obvious they had gotten lots of fresh snow very recently. T’s work paid for room and board on the trip - and we stayed at the fabulous Bridges condos, a real ski-in-ski-out place, where I can see the Eagle Express chair lift right from my bedroom window. The conditions couldn’t be better, and Saturday was pure heaven. Powder, powder, powder. I never hit an icy patch the entire day. We decided to skiboard this time, since we’re pretty new to snowboarding. It was so much fun, in fact, that at one point I would be literally tumbling down the mountain in powder, laughing my ass off. I felt like a kid again, during my carefree winters in Minnesota. Everyone from LA must have been up there, since I ran into some coworkers AND my dental hygenist (she butted in on our conversation at lunch without realizing I was there).

As if that wasn’t fun enough, the next day we went up to June Lake where T’s mom and brother were staying at the Double Eagle Resort and Spa. We immediately left for some snowmobiling out in the middle of nowhere. They had tracks that led you up the mountain side to the top, where we stopped for some photos. It was quite a bumpy ride with all the powder (yes, did I mention powder?) but it was totally exhilarating flying through the cold, winter mountains with no roof over your head.

The Double Eagle resort was fantastic. They were small cabins in the woods, literally. After snowmobiling, we returned and checked out the spa treatments, where T’s mom and I indulged in a nice pampering hot rock massage and parafin soak for my hands and feet. Aaaaahhhhh~~~! By the time we left the spa, it had already started snowing - by the next morning we had a foot and a half of fresh snow. We had to dig (yes, that is a kitchen spatula, we are Californians, after all) our cars out of the snow before we could get on our way.

Any trip to Mammoth cannot be complete without some fruit tarts from Schat’s bakery. Its a bakery with the most amazing goods - a carboholic’s delight. If you’re ever in the Bishop, California area, you must give it a try.

We also made a stop at Manzanar, a war relocation center for people of Japanese ancestery during WWII. The National Park Service recently finished a very comprehensive museum and auto tour on its very location. Just two years ago, it was nothing but a stone memorializing the location, but now, it really is a tourist spot not to miss. I was surprised at how many of my friends have never heard of Manzanar - and it reinforced how important these historical and educational sites are. Although my family was not here in the US during the 40’s, many people we now know were - and are still alive to tell the stories. I remember growing up in Sanger on an elderly Japanese man’s farm, and he had an original copy of the posters used to announce FDR’s Executive Order 9066 which stated where in Fresno they had to be at, and by when. This man has since passed, but the haunting memory of the yellowed poster will stay with me for many years to come.

I began this trip with some hesitation - I have lots to do, and much on my mind - but my realization that I’ve forgotten my watch (I always like to know what time it is) was foretelling of my wonderful weekend. I was able to completely lose myself in all the laughter and fun.

Now, if only I can find my cel phone…..