Bodie

We briefly stopped by Bodie state park yesterday.  Unfortunately, it was noon when we got there.  And, we also didn't have any extra water with us (this being an unplanned stop...)  Bodie is 13 miles off Highway 395.  You drive 10 miles on a paved road, but the last 3 miles are unpaved, dirty, dusty, and bumpy (just like the town)!   Bodie is an abandoned mining town from the 1800's which was occupied until it burned down the final time in 1932.  A stage line went through town, from Benton Springs to Bridgeport.  It's only open a few months of the year because of the deep snow, but it can be VERY hot in the summer (especially at noon).  It's best to see the park either in the morning (it opens at 9:00 a.m.) or in the afternoon, from 4:00 until it closes, at 6:00 p.m.  There are a lot of buildings with their furnishings still inside (you can look inside).  You can actually go in the church and a lot of visitors do just that.  Rangers live in some of the residences, and they are most eager to shoo you out of the park at closing!  There's a cemetery across from the town, which spreads out.  There is a daily mine tour (you CANNOT visit the mine area on your own...too dangerous!)  We've been there, I believe...4 times now and I actually enjoy it best in the late afternoon.  Just bring PLENTY of water with you and a hat and sunscreen!  It's VERY hot, dry, dusty, and dirty there!