The Last 233 Miles: Our Trip Finale!

We awoke early and continued our trek home.

But not before popping by Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site for a brief introduction.

Steve and I did a pretty thorough explore in 2022 but this was a first visit for the kiddos.
Here we were able to take a trip back in time and experience the daily life of the early settlers of the Owens Valley. This site celebrates the rich history of the period and tells of a time when the railroad station was the heart of a bustling western town.





Close to 50 authentic structures on eleven acres are filled with artifacts and original objects that depict the lifestyles of the homemakers, artisans, and townspeople of the period. Most of these objects of antiquity are the actual tools used by the practitioners of their crafts such as, newspaper publishers, gold miners, ranchers, blacksmiths, dentists, physicians, and pharmacists who lived and worked here. Can you figure out why I like it so?




All the historic buildings are original structures. Some, like the Laws Depot, the Agent’s house, the locomotive turntable, and the oil and water tanks were constructed right here and have stood on this site since the first train rolled in in 1883. Others are authentic structures that were relocated here from their original sites throughout the Owens Valley, and restored to preserve the history of the railroad. The section of narrow-gauge track that remains on the site still carries restored and working railroad cars – all of which date back to the early days of the railway.


We all appreciated the Death Valley history as we had been there twice on this trip, alone.
Lunch was on the shore of Mono Lake.
Mark Twain felt no love for this lovely lake when he described it, "Mono Lake lies in a lifeless, treeless, hideous desert, eight thousand feet above the level of the sea, and is guarded by mountains two thousand feet higher, whose summits are always clothed in clouds. This solemn, silent, sail less sea—this lonely tenant of the loneliest spot on earth—is little graced with the picturesque." For us, we are constantly surprised by its unique beauty. It really was the right location for our final trip pause.
"Traveling in the company of those we love
is home in motion."
— Leigh Hunt

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