Things that go bump for the Holidays

A pleasant surprise for the upcoming holidays is that J of J and L has had a fictional short story accepted and will be published in an anthology along with other very talented writers to be released on December 14, 2013. The book will be available at Black Opal Books and many other online bookstores. It is a collection of 'spooky' and 'mind numbing fear' written by some of the best up coming authors in the near future. Watch for their names on the novels and stories they create. Please take a moment and visit their web sites and see what they have to offer.

"To read is not an exercise for strict entertainment but one of necessity for a strong and independent individual." John R. Beyer

We at J and L would never lead our fellow adventurers down a wrong path.

Dr. J feels quite humbled to be published with these very accomplished writers, but likes the company.

Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest Visitor's Center - Update

Not long ago J and L decided to revisit the newly rebuilt visitor's center (the previous center had been burned down by an arsonist) at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest located in the White Mountains. The year before the only structure to greet us had been a small and narrow temporary mobile office which had to be utilized until the new center had been constructed and reopened.

White Mountain Visitor Center

The late afternoon was brisk, very brisk with a north wind blowing down the Owens Valley bringing the temperature down into the thirties when J and L walked into the beautifully stunning visitor center to be greeted by two very friendly and knowledgeable rangers. Dave Hardin and Philly Brooks who manned the long desk full of tourist information concerning the Ancient Bristlecones and the surrounding mountain areas. The interior of the center consisted of a rather large visitor's area including a large rock fireplace (not burning unfortunately) with comfortable looking overstuffed chairs surrounding a coffee table. Book and 'touristy' sort of purchasable items hung on various metal racks and wood bookshelves.

The writer at work

We had made it just a few minutes before the center was to close for the day but both rangers were rather kind to forget the clock and devote a few minutes to a pair of inquisitive explorers. Questions were asked and answers received.

We learned the center was open when the roads cleared of snow, usually around the middle of May or beginning of June (depending on the amount of precipitation received in the White Mountains) and closed around the beginning of November. There was only one road up and down off the mountain and at nearly 11,000 feet above sea level can make the drive treacherous depending on weather conditions.

One interesting fact we learned was there were very few insect issues and no bear problems, unlike across Owens Valley in the Sierras due to so little rain. Made camping under the stars much more enjoyable than slapping at flying thingies all evening or waiting to be eaten by Smokey.

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Philly Brooks was asked why she loved her job so much as she obviously did to this observer and her reply was simple and almost poetic. "What I love about the Bristlecone Pines is that it is different than anything else out there. It's so quiet, no noise except the wind through the branches, no bugs annoying a hiker and miles of trails to wander and simply enjoy life."

Dave Hardin was asked a similar question. "I like the White Mountains because it's like a marriage when one understands they have to accept the whole picture and not just an isolated portion of that person they are marrying. Makes for a healthier relationship and that goes for nature also."

Philly and Dave

Both of their answers must have some validity especially since over 30,000 visitors per year from around the United States and the world visit this very spot where some of the oldest trees on earth reside.

Asked what happens when the weather suddenly changes from sunny to cloudy threatening snow in late spring or early fall Philly simply smiled and said: "We get the hell off the mountain and lock the road barriers behind us."

Heeding Advice

With no cell service, no internet and steep terrain we would have to agree with the ranger.


Seasonal Information:

The Visitor Center is open mid-May until sometime in November depending on weather and snow/road conditions. Call the White Mountain District Office for exact opening and closing dates: 760-873-2500.

Directions:

An easy drive along Highway 395, either north or south, at the town of Big Pine travel east on Highway 168 for 13 miles. Then turn left at the signed junction for White Mountain Road to the Bristlecone Pine Forest and continue 10 miles until the end of the paved road at Schulman Grove. Turn right into the visitor center parking lot. Do be careful since the road is narrow in spots but well-maintained.  Also watch for sudden shifts in the weather when the roadway may become icy or snow covered.

An Adventure with Paddy

Slieve League

The weather was warm. The skies the kind of blue you want to see in another's eyes, and the North Channel as calm as Chuck Norris facing a group of thugs.

Summer weather on the Nuala Star

Unusual for anytime on the year in North Ireland, but on this late afternoon in June of 2013 the skipper, Paddy Byrne, admitted it was a strange omen.


"Why just yesterday I had a boat full of German tourists, probably ten in all, and it rained like heaven had a leak. Been raining pretty steady now until you two showed up."

A good omen? Perhaps.

Paddy was the Captain and owner of the Nuala Star, a 36 foot motor boat out of Teelin Harbor in Donegal Bay. It so happened that his was the only tour boat at the time taking tourists to see the Sliabh Liag Cliffs, the highest in Europe at 1972 feet above sea level.

Paddy was definitely a salty sailor with over twenty years sailing the high seas around the world. Could not be in better hands that with this wonderfully entertaining man and experienced skipper.

Donegal

J and L had decided to see Slieve League (English transliteration of Sliabh Liag) but worried we would be just one couple among many. To our delight no one had signed onto the six in the evening sailing and it was only J and L and Paddy.

Cruising out of the harbor by the small Irish town of Donegal was surrealistic, with little houses dotting the green rounded hills off the bay reminded us of the Irish films which in part had been the driving force for our visit to the island.  That the fact that we are both Irish and this was after all the mother land.



With the sea breeze, the temperature took a dip south as we puttered north in Paddy's boat to gawk and say things like: "I can't believe what we're seeing."  "Isn't that beautiful?" "Why is there a stone watch tower up there?"

J and L Researching and Exploring on the Nuala Star

We listened enraptured to Paddy's brogue as he told of this and that of the ancient and recent history of the cliffs and surrounding lands.


With cliffs towering above, we were amazed and hugged each other (Laureen and John, not Paddy -- though that would come later) in the jubilation we were again having a private tour to see a wonder of the world. The last was in Bolivia on the Island of the Sun, where we had a private audience with a Shaman and drank from the Fountain of Youth.

Photos were taken, questions were asked and questions were answered.

Suddenly the Nuala Star headed into the wind and the engines came to a full stop. J and L looked at each other when Paddy headed below deck.

North Channel Courage

"This is my swimming spot - gotta take a swim," came the brogue from down the steps.

Paddy really did not mean it since he did not how to swim , as we soon discovered. He usually, in his words, hung on the back of the boat and floated.

"Thank God I don't have a bathing suit," J said to L.

Our Captain, Paddy Byrne, and Dr. John

"I heard that," Paddy said and suddenly a pair of men's swimming trunks were thrown onto the aft deck (the back of the boat for you land lubbers).

J looked down at the trunks. "Not a good sign."

"What are you going to do?" Came L's response.

"Get cold and have a great memory."

The water was cold, dark and spooky.



Paddy kicked his feet by the rear boarding ladder while J shivered and breast stroked away from the boat and into the chilling waters of the North Channel.

It was cold - very cold.

Looking out on an Irish summer afternoon.

L was busy taking photos when Paddy said: "I'm done." and climbed on board.

There were still thirty yards between J and the boat and he wished the Captain would stay just a bit longer until he got even with the bouncing and bucking motor boat.

Cap'n Paddy

"But I'm still out here and there could be monsters down in these cold waters," J huffed while swimming rather quickly.

"Ah, that be the myths," Paddy grinned while toweling himself off.

No monsters but ten minutes of warming up within the salon, J appreciated the dry surroundings.

There were hugs and smiles all around after the unexpected dive into the waters (this is where J and Paddy shared a quick man-hug).

"Not many blokes ever take a swim with me."

I looked at the muscular man at the wheel of the boat. "You challenged me."

"If you had said no, I dare not go into that cold black water by meself."

"Should have said that earlier," J responded.

End of a perfect adventure

The rest of the early evening was more than delightful as we cruised slowly back to the docks.

A picture perfect day with a new found friend who had not been afraid to dive into something new and unique.

Could this be the Irish creed? It was certainly a good omen.






For further information:
Contact Cap'n Paddy at:

66pbyrne@gmail.com
00353876284688

or check the website at:
Sliabh League Boat Tours

or Chartering the Nuala Star