Hot springs

After last nights disappointing experience with Keough, we did a little internet research on our fabulous working free wifi connection (yes, it really works!), and decided to go to the tubs near Benton Crossing. The drive is only 30 minutes, but because there is still three feet of snow at that higher elevation, we had to walk the last 1000 feet or so to the tub. It turned out to be beautiful: panoramic views of the Sierra and White mountains, hot water and no shady characters. We took turns taking dips and taking care of the angry little baby.




After tubbing, we tried to get up to the Buttermilks. We made it most of the way, and actually were only around 100 feet from the Peabody boulders, but I didn't want to risk getting stuck. Unfortunately, there really wasn't any room to turn around, so I did a little donut on the slushy snow, pointed the subie back down the road and fled.

More unfortunate still, I must have hit a pothole or rock on the way out, because I started getting a strange and troubling sound out of the front left wheel well. It almost sounded like we were dragging something metallic. After a few fruitless minutes of trying to figure out what vital car-part we were now dragging, we called AAA.

The towing service showed up 20 minutes later and the driver was able to quickly diagnose the car: a bent heat brake heat shield which was rubbing against the rotor. Fortunately, as far as things that can be damaged by rocks, this is pretty minor. He gave it a whack with a hammer and the noise went away. Just to be sure, I headed to the local service shop. The mechanic got the subie up on the lift and double checked all the shields, confirming that the front left shield had been bent slightly inwards. I was pretty surprised to see how much plastic there is under there. Maybe its time for an aftermarket aluminum skid plate. I probably need one that protects the rear diff though. It was now three o'clock, so we had a few more hours for bouldering... off to the Happy Boulders again!


When we were done, we took a few minutes to take in the glory of the Eastern Sierra at dusk