Ep.296 A Hike to Secret Lake and How We Pack

We're back in the Eastern Sierra discovering new hikes, interesting history, and more fall color.
Links to items mentioned in our videos (and my camera gear) can be found on my Amazon Storefront. As a participant in the Amazon Associates Program we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, when you shop from this Amazon portal:
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Moonshade (affiliate link}: moonfab.com?sca_ref=2840305.8fOH1OGxFf
Some elements are from a subscription to Envato.
Music in this video is from a subscription with Epidemic Sound:
Candle - Candelion
Robin - S.A. Karl
The Longest Rest - Alan Ellis
On a Hike - Stefan Belrose
Inconclusive Results - Peter Sandberg
Lonesome Nights - Helmut Schenker
Secretly Spying on You - Harper Rey
Like Stone - Daniel Gunnarsson

[@MargaretBojo]

Tell John liked his "Star Trek portal" contribution.

[@RamblinRalph]

Nice video! I camped at Leavitt CG way back in June 2013. I remember listening to Sky King on the AM radio in the 50s! Merry Christmas and safe travels!

[@loda9510]

Great story to end my evening! Safe travels

[@tombicek4077]

It's always great to see your video. Interesting hike you two take.

[@riccrague5797]

My Mom and Dad lived in Lawrenceburg, Indiana till they passed and my youngest brother still lives there. Its just west of Cincinnati on the Ohio River. Enjoy watching all your videos. Thanks, Ric

[@FromShetoMe]

That's amazing. Three people have now stated connections to Lawrenceburg.

[@pamchipman5187]

I am from the Lawrenceburg IN area and have known some Skidmore families at our church in Rising Sun. Has been quite a bit ago. Thanks for interesting find! Now in CO.

[@FromShetoMe]

I love the connections we make along our journeys. Thanks for sharing.

[@Stormy_Bay_Girl]

From one Sky King fan to another, that is nice to know that someone else remembers him! I seen him once when I was a wee small child, he had a traveling show that stopped in our small town.

[@FromShetoMe]

What a cool memory.

[@ervinslens]

Such a great upload, so nicely and professionally narrated guys! 👏👏

[@judyfeldman5066]

Jolly good of the marines to look after your van.

[@FromShetoMe]

I felt really good about leaving the van for a few hours.

[@user-vm3yd2rp7f]

Also,happy holidays!!

[@janetfolkerts5827]

You discover and uncover the beauty of this land. THANK YOU for sharing.

[@pebbles_tale]

Always great to see your videos and its fun to see those 3d printed hooks are getting some use! Safe travels, Eric & Jodi

[@FromShetoMe]

I bought a 3D printer for my grandson (he's been asking for an upgraded one all year). Hoping to get him to move from making toys, to making stuff for van life. 😅

[@bettyjorodgers8552]

Great video. Thank you

[@billsherer7629]

Debbie, thanks so much for answering all of our questions, and for sharing. You and John do a wonderful job and are a big help as Donna and I plan our future escapades! Hope we cross paths one day. Have the best of holidays and enjoy that beautiful family!

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks. Happy to be of help.

[@camperab]

Thanks for your video. It's always good to see you being active!!

[@angpb6176]

I hope your brother is recovering well from his break. Ouch. Beautiful hike and your video & editing skills 👍👍 Even more impressive is a 6:12 departure time!

[@FromShetoMe]

He learned his lesson--use the forklift, and is now back hobbling around. We would leave earlier but don't like to drive in the dark.

[@dporper6390]

Another enjoyable video from you guys! Your long hikes are inspiring. I don’t know if we would have crossed a river barefoot in order to hike 6 miles😂 That makes you a cut above. A kind of ruggedness to live up to. RESPECT!

[@FromShetoMe]

You could have done it. It was just a trickle but cold on my tender feet.

[@timsmith7625]

Enjoyed the video and unfortunately the V-22 is grounded again due to a bad accident with personnel lost….Sorry about the fuel prices in CA and why I have skipped the state since 2019. Also why I switched to regular gas vehicles. New van is getting 19.6 MPG so far with almost 3000 miles….Look forward to your next video.

[@FromShetoMe]

We definitely drive less with higher fuel prices but that’s a good thing.

[@lll-i4j]

Always happy to see you've posted a video. Glad you two have each other to travel with and I've also seen KYD and the other couple you mentioned. Having someone to share the memories you make is the most important thing. Nice of you to care so much about the other couples and the one that lost their Dad. Thanks for another beautiful video. Someday I hope to hit the road but will be solo so carefully shopping for the right van. Senior citizen here!

[@FromShetoMe]

Hope you find one soon.

[@SueFletcher-k4r]

Love you introducing us to new places to visit in the area! We were so lucky to have nice weather when we arrived. Fun remembering our time together ❤

[@NelloCambelli]

Sky King (featured a Beechcraft D-18 in one season) was the genesis for Beechcraft’s KingAirs preceded by the QueenAir - the latest & greatest of Beechcraft arrived at Pauma Valley Airport in SoCal. Played a lot of golf there - capped off by winning Pauma Valley CC Invitational Tournament. Memorable Episode.

[@FromShetoMe]

Love the old memories.

[@1958zed]

I lived in southeast Indiana for 17 years, not far from Lawrenceburg, IN (misspelled on the sign you showed). Lawrenceburg and Elizabethtown, OH are within a few miles of each other, with the Indiana-Ohio border splitting the two, so it makes sense the parties traveled together. Lawrenceburg is on the Ohio River just west of Cincinnati, and had a large Seagram's Distillery there (now owned by Ross & Squibb). The drive down the Ohio River on the Indiana side will take you through some quaint river towns like Aurora, Rising Sun, Vevay, and, perhaps the most visited, Madison. Madison has wonderful mid-19th century architecture in its historic district, the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site (1844), plenty of shops and restaurants, and the Madison Regatta hydroplane boat races on the Ohio River every Fourth of July. Just west of Madison is Clifty Falls State Park, which is a great place to hang out and hike.

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks so much for the info. I lived in Cincinnati as a kid and don't recall passing through either town. I read the whole story of their travel west and it was quite harrowing. A bit like the Donner Party.

[@pdub6453]

We’ve always enjoyed your videos but since you completed your course, your work just keeps getting better and better. We especially enjoy how you’ve coordinated the changes in video views with the changes in music. Very well done!

[@FromShetoMe]

Thanks. When I'm not editing, I'm taking online tutorials hoping to keep improving.

[@judystreich7333]

Well done once again. Holiday Blessings for you and John. With all the rugged country you two hike, I hope you carry a personal locator beacon with you because accidents are never planned and peace of mind is priceless. Safe travels.

[@FromShetoMe]

iPhone 14 has ability to contact emergency services. We canceled Garmin subscription.

[@garymoncrief6078]

Hello we love your videos, We are the owners of The Big Beautiful Beast. We hope to see you some day on the road or here in Florida. You will always be welcome in our driveway!! Our favorite Ice Cream Store is in Tequesta, Fl "Palm Beach Ice Cream".

[@FromShetoMe]

Would love to meet up with you one of these days. Have so enjoyed watching your van build. Ours is probably not a favorite of George because I didn’t want wood but maybe he’ll come around. 😅

[@forkintherode8236]

I really like your cabinets, and yes I remember Skyyyyy z king!!

[@FromShetoMe]

Good because the new van uses the same material.

[@always.wondering.wandering]

Thanks for the update on what you pack, I always like to see what van campers are carrying, especially clothes. I'm looking for some good rain pants right now.....and next week, we're getting rain! I looked up that campground after you mentioned it in the last video, can't believe they charge extra for showers. Loved your Fall hike( did John say, gold!)? I want to try some panning. I was watching Overlanding Sophia awhile back explore Bodie, was neat seeing it though a British couple's eyes. Thanks again for a great video share with us.😊👍

[@FromShetoMe]

We take rain pants on long trips but I haven’t used them. Mine are from Patagonia.

[@rv2travel]

Thank you so much for sharing! I truly enjoy your videos!

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

Hey you are now using a peanut camera. Like it?

[@FromShetoMe]

So far so good but I'm still learning. I need a remote for it though. I'm glad I didn't buy a new action camera because the Ace Pro looks great to replace my GoPro.

[@VANTREKKINGlifestyle]

The action pod it fits in is a remote too. Not a lot of range but works great. Also saw how you're using just the camera hiking which is what we do and seems to be the lightest option. Yes.. Ace Pro looks tempting. Action 4 with its new firmware to use the wireless mic with no external connection needed. That looks good too. Always something to spend our money on isn't there?

[@clarkleakins879]

What inside van temperature do you have when sleeping (cold weather)? Do you have a built in desiel heater? That is the Sonora Pass Marine base for mountain warfare training, especially winter training. Will be a brutal experience. You don't carry paper map, compass, when exploring? That bush whacking can lead to a trip/fall. Always carry water shoes! especially if going to a river/ lake! You may find a good place to dip/bathe! Bodie! HA! Will be interesting to watch which road you take! It has probably been "improved" since I was last there. Just a health suggestion: Good to use SPF30 or better. AND a wide brimmed hat at those high altitudes. Skin cancer a very real possibility at our vintage. I always enjoy your Sunday morning adventures!

[@FromShetoMe]

We have a propane heater that works well but don’t turn on until high 40’s. Sometimes I take a paper map but usually use the AllTrails app. We’ve done both routes into Bodie but the long way has gotten very rough.

[@clarkleakins879]

Decades ago, the road from Mono Lake, north off of Pole Line Road (highway to Hawthorne) I think it was Cotton Wood Canyon? Was absolutely awful! Hotter than hot in the summer! Walking speed! Had an old station wagon. The road we took leaving Bodie, headed west, went to 395. 80 percent better. Maybe10 mph? No deep long ruts. Had a neighbor that went bottle digging at the Bodie dump, before it became a state park. He found so much stuff, he opened an antique store in San Jose. Had thousands of old bottles, lined the walls of his 2 car garage.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@clarkleakins879 Those were the days!

[@nancyk9475]

Great video! What is the brand/make of bag you said cinched down? Thank you

[@FromShetoMe]

REI

[@marie-francepinard110]

Hi Debby, I have been watching you for a very long time and we have a pleasure way ascent 2018 too.Our rig is in storage and I would like to add the shower curtain to keep things dry. Can you give me the dimensions of the curtain you made. We are leaving soon for a trip to Florida. Thank you for all the ideas you share with us! Marie-France Pinard from Quebec!

[@FromShetoMe]

It depends on how much you want to cover. Mine is about 36 inches wide and 48 inches tall. But it does not wrap all the way around the back of the toilet because water doesn’t tend to reach that wall.

[@marie-francepinard110]

Tank you, I will do mine just the same as yours!

[@kxrv6629]

Love the Star Trek portal reference. Staying put more or less for the Holidays and to catch up on appointments. You sure travel lighter than us as full-timers. Also don’t know how you get the bigger cupboard than John. My clothes are so much bulkier than my Debby’s

[@FromShetoMe]

It's the same at home. I get the big side of the closet. 😇 We were going to stay home but decided yesterday to spend Christmas in Anza Borrego.

[@kxrv6629]

@@FromShetoMe We’ve done that. The circle was decorated with Christmas trees. Also have stayed in Anza Borrego for geology field camp for two years in college and multiple times with Boy Scouts. Enjoy!

[@wandakspatzer8508]

Hi! What plant ID app do you use? Happy Holidays to ya’!

[@FromShetoMe]

Seek. But I sometimes use the one built into the camera app.

[@margedunkle7643]

Where did you get the insulated curtain between cab and rest of van?

[@FromShetoMe]

I made it from an insulated curtain I picked up at Target. I cut it to size and added an additional outer layer. I use velcro to attach to the Vancillary shelf.

[@Socalhodaka]

Another great video😀 what is the small camera you have on your hat bill?

[@FromShetoMe]

Insta 360 Go3

[@susanjackson1458]

What app do you use to track your hikes?

[@FromShetoMe]

All Trails. I've been wanting to give On X a try though.

[@judyp4421]

How often do you do laundry when traveling?

[@FromShetoMe]

Typically once a week.

[@tothetrail]

Did you ever get to find out how much to dump the tanks at the gas station?

[@FromShetoMe]

$15, which is a little steep IMO. At least it is for a van.

[@tothetrail]

Yes, I agree! Thank you!

[@mikemanjo2458]

What types of online classes do you take?

[@FromShetoMe]

I've purchased several recently. One from Jenn Jager and one from Brad West. I also watch a ton from Dylan Bates, Ripple Training, Serge M. There are so many I subscribe to. Are you trying to learn Final Cut? I'm always happy to share suggestions/etc.

[@RamblinRoadies]

OMG! Sky King? One of my favorite shows as a kid. Along with Seahunt. We're ancient. 😂🧓

[@FromShetoMe]

I’m embarrassed to say that my favorite was Sugar Foot.

[@billsonsin7547]

Sky King, Captain Midnight, and the Lone Ranger!! @@FromShetoMe

[@pdub6453]

I so remember all those shows.

[@FromShetoMe]

@@billsonsin7547 Saturday mornings were the best!

[@FromShetoMe]

@@pdub6453 Sometimes we pull them up on KZbin for a walk down memory lane.

[@steves524]

No wonder its called secret lake, its not easy to find, worth the effort🚐