Sierra Loop - Rock Creek Pie - Thursday, September 6, 2018

Waning Crescent Moon

One of my favorite places to visit on US 395 is Tom's Place, little more than a dot on the map, but an exit from the highway that leads to Rock Creek Road and up into some eye-popping scenery. This particular day was sunny and slightly crisp, just right to drive by the shimmering aspens and handsome, posture-perfect lodgepole pines.

Sometimes adjusting to higher elevations makes me slow and lazy. I stopped frequently on the road and soaked in the holy quiet of the forest, once even slipping into sleep on top of a sun kissed picnic table. The farther up the road I moved, the more people I encountered. They were nice enough, but sort of hyper-motivated to get to road's end where the trail heads are. Tailgating on Rock Creek Road? Poor form.

I decided not to compete with the tailgaters for a parking spot. I turned around and reminisced about previous trips, eventually pulling into the Rock Creek Resort to eat lunch. Out of curiosity, I inquired about the price of a night's stay. Over $200. That sounded so crazy to me I couldn't begin to fathom it. $200? For a cabin in the woods?

I shook that off and ordered a reasonably priced burger at the gift shop/deli counter. Soon I was joined by five other hardy senior citizens, fresh from a day hike and hungry for pie. I discovered via polite, serendipitous chit chat that one of the ladies was the daughter of a woman who was raised in San Juan Bautista. Huh. What do you know? This day was also the daughter's birthday, so they all celebrated by adding a scoop of ice cream to their pie. Wow. I enjoyed my burger, but I must admit to serious, runaway pie jealousy. Droolworthy, deliciously presented sweet little old lady pie imported from a bakery in nearby Bishop. If I were a rich man, I would happily pay $200 for a slice of Rock Creek Resort apricot pie a la mode. You can keep the cabin.

I should have photographed this group and their pie. They were beautiful.

Peace, Love, and a Slice,
Jim

TBC