Mary Lou & Craig Kugler, co-host Mark Coronado and Curtis Fong pose after the gondola ride. (Photo by Alice Strom)Sometimes it just all comes together. The weather is beautiful, the car looks great and the roads are clear. The food and accommodations are ready on time. All the planning pays off and everyone has a blast!
We were delighted to be a part of one of the best events of the year – the Mammoth Tour Weekend! Hats off to Craig and Mary Lou Kugler, our hosts, for organizing and running a fabulous Porsche experience!
A few of the 17 Porsches on the tour wind through the high country near Mammoth. (Photo by Alice Strom)Sixteen of the prettiest Porsches all gathered together at the Starbucks in Carson City. Familiar faces and new faces, young (Madeleine and Gabrielle Earl) and old (many of us!), even guests from Diablo Region (Anthony and Maiko Mendoza) took off after our leader for a scenic run down US 395 to Mono Lake. We stopped at the Visitor’s Center to learn more about the lake’s early history. Native people harvested fly larvae from the lake for food. (didn’t know that!) LA took the water going into the lake for years, but no longer can so it’s coming back up. Brine shrimp love the salt water and flourish here (they’re harvested for fish food). Tufa rocks made of Calcium Carbonate make up the weird looking white formations we see from the road. Very interesting!
Rupa Brooks, Wes Wilkerson, Janie Wilson, Tom Brooks and Carole Coleman smile for the camera at our rest stop in Walker, CA. (Photo by C Kugler)Back on the highway again we continue south taking the June Lake loop. A stop at the scenic overlook had everyone pulling out their cameras. Lakes sparkle, trees sway in the breeze and cars gleam. We certainly do live in a very beautiful part of the world! (Why don’t we come this way more often?)
By mid day we reach the town of Mammoth and our lunch stop, The Fireside Burger and Tap. The whole parking lot has been reserved for us! The owner comments, “My place has never looked so good.” Tummies full we drive up the mountain to the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Before checking in though we have a treat in store. We board the Gondolas and ride to the top of Mammoth Mountain. (Yikes!) At 11,053 ft above sea level we are greeted by the most breathtaking vistas imaginable. Mountain ranges in all directions, lakes in the valleys and blue sky above. Wow! Again, the cameras record the awesome sights. The cultural center provides lots of information on the area and information about the distant peaks.
Cars wait patiently as members take in the scenic overlook of Mono Lake. (Photo by A Strom)Chris and Rich Chew decided to hike down rather than take the gondolas with the rest of us. Back at the Inn (a real mountain lodge feel), we checked in and learned we are all on the second floor with a shared balcony. Out came the bottles of chilled wine and snacks (love the garlic kettle korn) with lots of camaraderie and discussion of the days events. (Has anyone seen Chris and Rich? Are they back yet?) A mere 90 minutes after leaving the top they join us for happy hour. Dinner is on our own and some of us enjoy the buffet while others eat in the bar. Laughter and enthusiastic conversation fills the air. A great day, we all agree.
Rich O’Larey and Christine Chew enjoy the views with Lake Mamie and the mountains behind. (Photo by C Kugler)Sunday finds us gathered early for our group picture before heading up to see the Minaret’s. This range is very impressive providing an awesome back drop for pictures of the cars and their drivers. We continue on to see the Mammoth Lakes and take more pictures. It’s fun to shoot all the cars in a line – so impressive!
It is time now to gas up and head out to the desert for some scenic and fun driving. Craig leads us on a fun driving loop off of US395 – out Benton Crossing Road connecting the Cal 120 and ending up on the south side of Mono Lake. Straight, smooth roads with miles of visibility, sweeping curves and nice elevation changes – perfect Porsche roads! Even some “whoopee de doos” – talk about a roller coaster! Wow! We hit Lee Vining for lunch at The Mobile Station. Despite its name, we have a wonderful gourmet deli-type meal. (We heard this place has been written up in the New York Times!)
Madelyn Earl, co-host Mark Coronado, Donna Archambault, Peg Earl, Christine and Rich Chew at the Minarets vista point in Mammoth. (Photo by C Kugler)Our last leg takes us on another loop east out of Bridgeport on CA182, which changes to NV338 at the Nevada State line. We continue up through Smith Valley and Wellington seeing some really incredible geological formations. We reconnect with US395 just north of Topaz Lake at Holbrook Junction. The trip ends where it began – at the Starbucks in Carson City. A fun, exciting weekend enjoying our fine German sports cars!
Craig and Mary Lou did a fantastic job organizing and running the event. We all agreed we would love to make it a regular one. For those of you who missed it, you better sign up early for the next one ‘cause we’re all coming back!
