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Recently I was browsing in the book section at the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center, specifically the section devoted to Local Authors, and ended up purchasing "Tales Along the El Camino Sierra." The authors David and Gayle Woodruff had signed all copies of the book on sale there.

This paperback has 138 pages (36 short chapters) and was a quick, entertaining, and educational read. It has many historical photographs.

As noted, "Iconic Highway 395: Originally known as El Camino Sierra, this magical ribbon of blacktop has been taking people on a sentimental journey for over 100 years...Tales Along El Camino Sierra is a collection of little-known stories involving people, places and events that have taken place over the years, in the beautiful lands of the Eastern Sierra. These engaging and often amusing narratives bring to life the area's rich human history that has not only helped shape the social culture of this cherished region, but has often created an enduring impact upon the human psyche."

Next to this gem in the Local Authors section at the ESVC is another "must read," "Mount Whitney: Mountain Lore from the Whitney Store." However, to get the author's signature for this book, one must drive up 13 miles to the end of the Whitney Portal Road.

Jim

Signed copies are also available in Bishop at Spellbinder Bookstore.

I love this book! I picked up a signed copy at the native American “arts” store in Lone Pine.

If you follow their Facebook page, you get postings about interesting historical factoids along 395. https://facebook.com/elcaminosierra395/

I ordered from Amazon as I am a looong way from 395 unfortunately. Started to read and it is an excellent read...

Thanks Jim for the mention,We worked all winter for the 3 edition,hard topics to cover,in the new release,my research on no really I didn't quit I got altitude disease or something.And Safe zones vs weather reports,and the topic of recoveries,the chain of events that appear to be a common factor,and the locations of most recoveries.
I did my final edit but now the hard work is in the hands of the word Smith's to remove the ain't got no's and the if is wasn't right they would fix it stuff.

Last night on Sacramento TV Channel 6 my wife and I enjoyed a 60 minute Huell Howser California Gold program titled "The Wedding of the Waters" which first aired August 1999. The Wedding of the Waters is the subject of Chapter 15 of El Camino Sierra.

The Wedding of the Waters was a three day event in 1937 designed by Father Crowley. A Native American began by collecting water at Lake Tulainyo and placed it in a gourd which was transported by numerous modes of transport to Badwater in Death Valley. The delicate transportation process was facilitated by Native Americans, Lone Pine residents and business people, movie stars, various pack animals and horsemen, trains, race cars, and airplanes. Also involved were the Governor of California (firing his rifle on site) and President FDR (by telegraph from the East Coast). The finale included Norman Clyde building a bonfire on the summit of Mt Whitney and then pushing it off the East Face!

The Huell Howser program follows a reenactment of this 1937 event. It begins with Doug Thompson Sr and Native American ( CHP officer) Cheyenne Quesada returning to Whitney Portal from Lake Tulainyo with a gourd of water (destined for Badwater). Cheyenne thanks Doug for guiding him up the North Fork and over to Lake Tulainyo and back safely. All agree that it was a good decision not to have the camera equipment and operators involved with this challenging first leg of the water's journey. The gourd is then passed to a horseman and...

To access this program online for free, visit the Chapman University Huell Howser Archive.

Jim

PS: Incidentally, this Monday (July 23) is the start of the Badwater to Whitney 134 Mile Footrace. The Force will be returning back from Badwater to the Mountain. Good luck to all competitors.