Heading South.

 The internet kinda rules sometimes!  I would never of known that one of my favorite passions in life, road biking, err..., more specifically climbing up on a road bike, is outstanding in the Eastern Sierra's.  It was called by multiple online sources as the mecca of hill climbing in the country.  So, of course I had to go check it out to see what all the noise was about.  

Well, it's more than true.  I did two of the three rides in the Owens Valley that are rated in the top 10 road bike climbs in the country.  They were outstanding.  Buffed roads (because they are not plowed in the winter), minimal traffic (see above!), huge vertical, and outstanding views.  All you could ask for and then some.  Chels and Dash were troopers and awesome moral support.  Above is Horseshoe Meadows Road, near Lone Pine, CA.  It's a beast!  

 Looking at Horseshoe Meadows Road climb from the lower part of it.  What you cant tell is that is only about half of it, the rest of it is around the corner.  16 mile climb.  

 Easily the most sustained, long, and steep switchbacks on a paved road I have ever seen.  Super cool.  

 Climbing up the Mt. Whitney Portal road with the highest point in the lower 48 in the distance.  I could have spent a couple of weeks on the road bike in and around the small lil towns of the Eastern Sierra.  Next time!  

 We decided to break up the drive from Tahoe to SB by stopping along the way in Mammoth.  It had been years since we had been there and had almost forgotten what an amazing place it is.  We stopped off at one of the many natural hotsprings to take a dip.  It was close to snowing, cold, and a decent walk from the dirt road to the soaking area, but Dash was all about it.  

 Ohh yea, one more pic from the top of the #3 rated climb in the US, Onion Valley Road outta Independence, CA.  I thought Horseshoe Meadows was tougher, but Onion Valley is steeper.  It gained over 5,000ft in 11 miles.  

 My very own lil private tub.  

 Dash, hanging poolside, or something like that!  

 Chels, being the awesome mom that she is.  

 Dash wanted to get in, but we had to keep telling him that "next time" because it was too hot for him.  

Chels, solitude, happy.