Stopping in Bridgeport

We have been driving through Bridgeport, CA on our way to all points North, mostly Carson City and Reno, NV, for many years. One of those picturesque mountain towns that you always say you want to stop in but seemingly never do...until I made a point of going there for the day. We made it our destination and had a wonderful day exploring and meeting some nice people and learning more about local history.

Bridgeport is the Mono county seat and has been since 1863. It's most distinguished landmark is the County Courthouse, Victorian in design, and built in 1880. It is the second oldest courthouse in the state of California to still be in use.

Our first stop of the day though was behind the courthouse, the Mono County Museum. It is located in the old Bridgeport schoolhouse in the picture. It served as the local school from 1880-1964. It was great fun to see everything from real hobnail boots to beautiful Victorian dresses. Farm implements, barb wire collections and even a rare portable, folding bathtub! History of the local, determined pioneer families and surrounding mining towns of Mono as well as an entire room devoted to an amazing Native American basket collection. Beautiful examples of Paiute and Miwok basketry collected by Ella Cain. Ella Cody was born in Bodie, an infamous mining town, and became a teacher there in 1900. She married Victor Cain in 1904. She amassed a striking collection.

After the museum tour we headed over to the local cemetery as I like to look at memorial carvings and it gives you an added look at the local families and where they came from. Stones sometimes have a lot of information on them and the carvings have a language all of their own. I'll touch on that in another blog as it is really interesting.

We then headed out through Bridgeport Valley, miles of pasture with cattle grazing, large old family ranches, and irrigation ditches. Bridgeport was originally called Big Meadows! Of course we stop here and there to take pictures of surprised cows. We passed the Hunewill Circle H cattle and guest ranch, a family that has been in the area since the 1860's. (There was a large Hunewill family plot at the cemetery. ) The road winds up into the Humboldt-Toiyabe National forest and the majestic Sawtooth range looms ahead. Our destination was Twin Lakes. We had no idea there were so many cabins and homes around the lakes as well as resorts. It was beautiful. I'd like to go back and spend time just exploring this whole area.

In the Sierra you just don't know what you are going to discover next. Yes we have an abundance of natural beauty here but to really get to know an area is to delve into the history and those who came before. To truly appreciate what we have now you need to witness the contributions, the hardships and the lives of the people who made it possible.

Aliveness

In his book, "Reflections from the North Country" , Sigurd Olson has a chapter titled "Aliveness." He comments on how so many people seem to go through life with little or no happiness or zest for living... with little hope or enthusiasm. Sigurd was an ecologist and conservationist, a professor and writer who dearly loved the outdoors and the Quetico-Superior region of Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. This particular book was first published back in 1976 by Knopf, a book and a man that is very wise.

I have been coming in contact with more and more people who seem to be suffering from emptiness and just the plain old blahs! People who are trying desperately to fill the void in their lives with stuff and the pursuit of more stuff and/or busy-ness for the sake of being busy. People who find no joy in living and feel they have nothing to look forward to. Why?

I believe that in order to be alive, to live an inspired life one must be aware of their connection to the natural world every day. Our lives are interconnected with every living thing on this planet. Our choices and our thoughts affect other living things and each other. There is extraordinary beauty all around us every day. How can anyone look at a hummingbird and not be awed by their beauty, their ability to hover in the air, the speed in which their wings flutter, their own joy!? Walk around your neighborhood and see the colors and variety of flowers, trees and bushes; watch the sunrise or the sunset and the way the changing light changes the scene minute by minute; feel the grass between your toes or the smoothness of a water polished stone from a creek; smell the earthiness of the woods, the saltiness of the seashore or of a fresh rain; listen to the birds singing in the morning or the crickets chirping at night; reconnect with the natural world that is all around you and celebrate that you are able to appreciate and Be apart of it.

In order to be "alive" we must be inspired. To be inspired we must look for new ways to learn and experience life. We have senses to help us add depth to our daily experiences. Use your sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch to connect. Use your instinct and your knowing as well. The old adage "stop and smell the roses" is more true than you know. When we are inspired everything and anything is possible. Be adventurous, curious, seek your true essence enthusiastically and celebrate your Aliveness!