Day 4 - Wednesday 28th March – Exploring Bass Lakes
Lee as usual was awake first (5am), the rest of us got u around 7.30am. The sky was blue again but the mornings are quite chilly. The plan today was to stay around Bass Lakes and explore. I had researched a couple of trails that were suitable for children so we were going to attempt them. The boys posted their postcards that they had bought last night. We went to ‘Way of the Mono’ trail via a detour which was Lee’s fault. Lucas spotted 2 deer’s walking across the road but unfortunately, we weren’t quick enough with the camera.
It was easy to find just a short drive around the lake out of the resort and parking was easy. We took the short trail and eventually got to top of the rocks, it was quite steep but easy enough. It was an amazing view overlooking the lake from the top. We just sat there taking in the views, the boys jumped from rock to rock and again gave me heart failure. It was so peaceful. We messed around taking photos with some truly memorable views.
In true Moreton style we took the unconventional route back down the trail. Lee thought he was Bear Grylls and spotted an animal which he was determined to track, it was a lot larger than a squirrel but he never saw it again so it could have been anything.
We eventually made it back down to the bottom and after skimming a few stones across the lake we got back in the car. We had been up on this trail for 2 ½ hours, which had flown by. The original plan was to do the trail at Willow Creek but after trekking this one no one was that keen to take on another.
The boys wanted to go in the pool at the resort but after venturing down there and dipping our toes in the water, it was far too cold. They were gutted but the fact that the jacuzzi was working sort of made up for it. They played for ½ hour while Lee and I just relaxed and enjoyed the sunshine. The plan for the rest of the day was to go into Oakhurst and grab some supplies and have some dinner. It was only a short 15 minute drive from Bass Lakes. Oakhurst was a lot bigger than we expected, with a lot more shops and restaurants. The Pines resort is quite remote so it is good to have somewhere local.
We went into a discount grocery store and picked up some snacks for our journey tomorrow, it was so much cheaper than the shop at the resort. After a family meeting we decided on Dennys for dinner, it was as always cheap and cheerful. We know the kids like the menu and we don’t mind it either. Bill was just over $60 but that included desserts (ice creams) and tip. Lee drove back to the resort and the boys really wanted to play tennis again. I joined in this time but also did some more washing as I wasn’t sure when the next time, we would have access to a laundry. We played until it got dark and although the racket was nearly as big as Lucas, he definitely improved the more we played.
We handed the rackets back at reception and then walked around taking some more pictures around the resort. A kind of sadness to be leaving this beautiful place, we will definitely miss it and wouldn't hesitate to come back.
Although we loved how quiet it was, I think it would be good to visit in the summer so we could sample the atmosphere and get to use the pool. We watched some more TV and drank lots of tea before retiring ready for our drive to San Francisco tomorrow.