Mammoth Lakes Camping

Whats up! This is Danny! For the first time, I am posting a blog about a trip that I recently took!

This year I've decided to go to Rock Creek Lake for a fantastic weekend of camping and fishing with just the guys; Ed and Adam. Located near Mammoth Lake about 340 miles (6 hour drive) from Orange County. We left Thursday night and arrived to the campgrounds around 3am. Quickly pitching up the tent, putting the food in the bear box so we could wake up early to begin our trip. I would say it was around 35 degree weather at the time with some scattered showers, not the best weather to enjoy the full moon.

Each of us had a cot to give us a bit more added comfort while we sleep in our sleeping bags!

Day 1: We took the raft out and found a location for some bait fishing.

Day 2: Mosquito Flat Trailhead 5 mile hike one way. The elevation of 10,300 ft, at times it was difficult for us to walk parts of the trail because of the thinner air, but we eventually made it. Just as the name suggests, we came across areas that were highly infested with mosquitoes -we quickly moved away from those areas! Also, surprisingly there was still snow left on the mountains even with the warm summer weather!

Lunch Break: Turkey and Bacon sandwich by the river....priceless.

Got the fire going!

First Night Dinner: Curry Rice. Adam gives a big thumbs up for a good meal!

Second Night Dinner: Kimchi Stew (Budae Jjigae style; includes spam, onions, potatoes, tteok(mochi), tofu, mushrooms, kimchi, and incorporated them into a traditional spicy soup).

This really hit the spot after a full day of hiking and exploring!

Coming to the end of the trip, we toast to an awesome camping experience with some Scotch. Cheers!

(The Macallan Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskey)

Here is a collection of some panoramic photos of the place we were staying. The blue sky against the clear river water was really spectacular. Hardly a site you can find in the city!

Here are a few photos from when we went camping in Sequoia last summer.

This year we decided to go further north near Mammoth Lakes so we could try fishing.

Prague : Walking Through History

Prague Astronomical Clock : The most famous monument in Prague, is composed of an astronomical dial, representing the position of the sun and moon in the sky, a calendar dial with medallions representing the months, and moving statues of the Apostles. With the Apostles and other moving figures that come to live every hour, it was always crowded around the clock tower with new spectators. The oldest part of the clock is the mechanical clock and astronomical dial that dates back to 1410.

[Astronomical Dial] The outer ring is a timescale of a 24-hour day, the central blue area represents the Earth, the blue above the Earth shows the sky above the horizon, and the red/black below the Earth show the sky below the horizon. The inner movable ring shows the signs of the zodiac. Additionally, there is a sun icon and a moon icon.

[Calendar Dial] The 12 large medallions show images of people harvesting in the different months, and the inner medallions are of the 12 zodiac signs.

Apostles appear every hour through 2 windows. Notice also the skeleton ringing the bell!

"Fred and Ginger" Dancing House : Alongside the Vltava River, stands this modern looking building surrounded by historic architecture. The top floor is a French restaurant, and the rest is an office building. The building reflects a man and woman (Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers) dancing.

"Hanging Out" : Yes, that's a man hanging over the street! It's a life-size sculpture of Sigmund Freud (born in Czech Rep) hanging in Old Town Prague, created by the world famous Czech artist/sculptor, David Cerny. He is known for his controversial, large-scaled sculptures.

(I've enhanced the brightness of the figure to show more detail)

The Estates Theatre : Historical theater built during the late 18th century. In October 1787, Mozart conducted the world premiere of his opera Don Giovanni, and a statue was created in his memory, The Coat of Conscience.

Franz Kafka : A very influential writer in the early 20th century. The bronze statue is of Kafka sitting on a headless man, which is based from a character in one of his short stories.

Powder Gate : A gothic gate leading into the Old Town. Once served as one of the 13 gates to the city of Prague, but as the city grew beyond its old walls, the tower became less and less significant and eventually was used as a gunpowder storage facility, hence the name.

Municipal House : Just beside the Powder Gate, a major landmark and concert hall in the heart of Prague. It was built by the most significant Czech painters and sculptors. The main space in this multi-functional building is the concert space, Smetana Hall, in honor of Bedrich Smetana, a famous Czech composer from the 1800s.

(detail of the mosaic)

There will never be a shortage of graffiti in Europe!

What a day...need to rest up to for another day in Prague!

Germany : More World Cup Fever!

Department store window, everyone watching S. Korea vs. Greece and S.Korea wins 2-0.

Even a little support from ketchup.

"Spielmacher" means Playmaker and is often the jersey number 10.

If you notice the numbers on the license plate "1954", that was the first year Germany won at the World Cup! Either this man is a hardcore soccer fan, or it was just a lucky coincidence!

You'll notice the N.Korea jersey is the only one missing.

So, I'm still not sure, was this intentional?!

The Hofbrauhaus, a famous brewery in Munich, had a cute goal display in their store, and a poster on their doors welcoming people to drink beer and cheer as the World Cup starts on June 11.

Hugo Boss caps, and a cell-phone store with a very decorated iPhone!

As if completely oblivious to the loud music and enormous crowd behind them,

the men watch a soccer match on a small tv! That was a funny sight.

With the entire city filled with Germany team support, it almost made me root for them! It felt nice to see all the support that just one city was giving to their country, and I'm glad I got to see just how much love Europe gives to the World Cup.

*Germany won over Ghana today, so I'm sure the entire country is happy that they won the group!

Germany : World Cup Fever!

I always knew that World Cup was huge in Europe, but I didn't know the extent of it! Just being in Munich I was overwhelmed to see the support given to their Germany team. I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised since they did host the 2006 World Cup and they came in 3rd place. Just look at all these displays showing their support for Germany!

Newspapers from June12th (day after the Opening Ceremony). Front pages were all of soccer!

Souvenir kiosk at the main square and a mannequin in a clothing store.

Ratskeller, an underground tavern, decorate their front door with mini soccer balls, and South Africa flags!

Displays from 2 different stores.

Many people were buying enormous Germany flags for just 5 Euros.

Germany plays Ghana on the 23rd...the beer gardens must be packed!