In Search of Nellie Bly Baker, Inspirational Badass of the Eastern Sierra

Welcome to Wonderhussy Adventure #801
Date of adventure: 5/29/24
The fascinating story of Nellie Bly Baker, a Hollywood actress who moved to a self-built cabin at an abandoned mining camp in Lundy Canyon. Nellie also built the famous "Upside Down House" in Lee Vining -- which is also home to the legendary Tioga Pas Mobil gas station's "Whoa Nellie Deli." Coincidence?? Let's find out!
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Nellie Bly Baker photos: University of Washington, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons and Par Academy Pictures/United Artists, Josef von Sternberg - torontofilmsoci..., Domaine public, commons.wikime...
wonder hussy, wonderhussie, wonder hussie, wonder hussey, wonderhussey

[@Wonderhussy]

OMG I just realized my dumb ass messed up and somehow omitted my voiceover audio from 18:44-19:21 😆It was supposed so say something like, "OK, I know that sounds like an exaggeration, but it's TRUE! I wore my old Mobil hat all over the place for years, until it got funky, and I tried going back to the Lee Vining gas station many times to buy a new one, but they never had it in my color. I bought other colors, but they never really looked right on me, so eventually I gave up and had my own knockoff version made." Can't believe I screwed up like this...UGH!! How embarrassing😜

[@timburns5025]

Your the best baby! And they should of added your name too!

[@briangarrow448]

I was offered a job working for a utility district that was located near the crest of the Sierras nearly 20 years ago. The job was operating and maintaining the hydroelectric dam intakes for the district at the top of the mountains. The job came with a two story cabin. The cabin was two stories because of the incredible snowfall amounts that hit the place every year. During the winter, only way to access the cabin was by snow track or snowmobile. Your vehicle would be parked 20 miles downhill at a maintenance yard because the access road would be closed for most of the winter season. The job was so remote that you were only guaranteed supply runs once a month in the winter. I was offered the job but had to decline. The same week I got the offer, my mother was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor and had just a short time to live. I chose to stay close to my parents and support them instead of moving 800 miles away from home. My dream job appeared at the worst period of my life. Oh well. I made the best choice possible for me and my family. Maybe someday I’ll get back there and see the cabin again!

[@missingremote4388]

Imagine the windy days up there. 70 to 120 mph gusts

[@maryjomagar7154]

Thank you so much for telling this story in detail!

[@Davidsavage8008]

I love that area. I'll be back soon enough.

[@carolynnunes3922]

You know that you did the right action by staying close to your mom…God bless you and your loved ones abundantly always dearly beloved 😊

[@jamesf4405]

You did the right thing! When we die, the only thing we get to take with us are memories. You got memories of mom, but more important.. she got memories of you! ✝️🙏

[@johnmonaco1028]

Huell Howser would be so PROUD of You!!!

[@brianmclaughlin358]

Said it 100 times, this is the MOST interesting channel on KZbin.

[@faschwank]

Nelly Bly Baker was the Wonderhussy of her day.

[@tortugalisa4748]

Wow, Nellie really went out and tore it all up out there in the wild west with her badass self☺️ Who knew? I love all the history, the deli and Whow Nellie, the gas prices😱

[@chrisgentry7242]

Speaking of painting rocks, when I was a kid living Escondido California my dad and I went to this swimming hole that had a natural waterfall, beautiful place, I found a piece of weathered wood that looked like an eagles head so I painted it to look like a bald eagle.

[@dieterkoch6563]

And in a rare example of-"What goes around comes around!" Wonderhussey is rewarded for her unwavering love for the wild west of California. She loves them and they love her!

[@jwebbw]

I'm glad to see you finally bring this one to the YT silver screen. I too contacted The Hussy several months ago about Nellie Bly, her cabin and her Upside-down house. But I guess Cindy 'sort of' beat me to the punch and invited WH up for a visit. I thought it would make for a good episode to tell Nellie's story the way ONLY The Hussy could tell it. And how did Huell Howser miss this one...travel on Hussy !!

[@RonBachert-kh9sy]

Stop the femanist crap .

[@gerryhartung736]

Title reminds me of b and w tv show in 50s. Andy Devine had an old Jeep he called Nellie Bell, and would always say "whoa Nellie". Still travelling at 80, the OLD Consultant. When is your town party this year? I plan to finally attend!

[@lauriebush413]

Also the name for Pat Brady's jeep on Roy Rogers. That's what I named my first car.

[@sue5426]

I love the way you find the history, and tell such great stories with such articulated, and your great personality! Thank you!

[@TimothyFrench]

Hussy, you are the Nellie of our day. Great video

[@williamfuller2389]

I believe Bodie actually sourced the majority of it's lumber from Mono Mills on the southern shores of Mono Lake. You can still find the railbed of the narrow guage railway from Bodie to Mono Mills built to transport lumber to the mining town.

[@LindaShepler]

So glad you featured Nellie, she was amazing. The miners and fishermen soon learned to respect her. A book on her can be found at the little museum in Lee Vining. Thanks for ALL your videos.

[@shirleyy5040]

“Nellie of Lundy. From Hollywood to the High Sierra” by Nellie Bly O’Bryan

[@magprob]

My dear wife took me to all those places before she passed on. She had a big family and that was their stomping grounds. I will sit here and cry for awhile. Thank you

[@theathjr]

WonderHussy I’ve been going to the eastern sierras for 30 years for the trout opener and we always take bets on how much the gas is at the Chevron in Lee Vining thank you for sharing this amazing spot in the eastern sierras. Shout out to Matt Toomey for the amazing fish tacos and lobster taquitos👊

[@TheWalnut47]

Yikes! Thank you, Sarah Jane, for another well-informed episode. Greetings from Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, UK, where the log burner is alight and I have a blanket over my knees. You have to love a British summer in the cold and rain.

[@johnpurdy3336]

Sounds pretty delightful and cozy tbh lol

[@fafafohi2boss533]

My mother mom is 88..she loves you...I showed her your videos... try coming to the east coast.. one day 😊

[@cspencer3421]

Nellie and Wonderhussy would have been fast friends. Between filming and the woods,definitely a match.

[@Caligorl420]

Girl power💪🏻 how awesome she was! The upside down house was amazing! Thank you for sharing 💜 Girls today need to step up, especially with all the resources we have now. She was a bad ass! 💕

[@catchaser52]

[@dominique4788]

Every time California is featured in your videos I’m reminded of how beautiful it is, and then you show the price of gas and I’m reminded why I’ll never visit.

[@cre8tvedge]

Just buy an electric. The price is guaranteed to be one half that of the fossil fuel. In fact that very Mobil Rest. is going to have charging in short order. Look at the roof. Those solar panels will power it. And there are chargers all up and down the road. The future is here. Have a look.

[@tomfrye9037]

@@cre8tvedge No, thanks. I'm good.

[@theninja001]

Good, stay away from the Sierra mountains lol

[@cre8tvedge]

@@tomfrye9037 It It's so funny seeing guys brag about shooting themselves in the foot. It's pathetic when you think about what that means for their children.

[@Mark-td1tg]

​@@cre8tvedgeWhere does all of the lithium waste go?

[@richardrichard9953]

I love going on line and finding a WONDERHUSSY video I haven’t seen!

[@FredRoot-fe1sf]

Katie Lee is another badass gal. She was an actress/singer that rafted the Colardo River many times. She also liked to ride her bike naked on her birthday in Jerome AZ.

[@proteusnz99]

Another fascinating corner of your amazing country. Too easy to overlook these nooks and crannies if you only fly over them or hurtle past on the interstate network. That you take time to explore them, that you treat the people there with interest and respect, that you restore these lost and forgotten histories is why we all follow you. The Japanese have a nice term, living national treasure, which certainly applies to you. Different skill sets, but it’s clear why you can relate to Nellie Bly Baker. ❤❤👍😊

[@davidtaylor5204]

There's a Desert Magazine article about Lundy Lake, August 1975, where the proprietors of the resort are Lee and Beth Hunt. Is Cindy related to these folks?

[@MikeKelly-ku6rq]

Whoa Nellie!

[@EveningShadeLori]

Woah Nellie those Gas prices!! yikes. Still under $3 a gallon here in Oklahoma.

[@drueatcer]

But I love going to the mountains and the beach plus the desert.

[@philipjones9458]

About $7 in U.K

[@gregv123]

Whoa nellie deli rocks🇺🇲 such a cool history lesson thank you, my family loves the eastern Sierra

[@mobiltec]

Wow I've been to Lundy a lot and I didn't know most of this stuff. Thanks for the education Sarah

[@tomchristianson858]

Who remembers Dick Lane the MC for LA Roller Derby saying "Whoa Nellie" ?

[@jimForgottenHinterland]

It has been a long time since I have been to the eastern Sierras. Thanks for taking me back there. I have forgotten how beautiful it is. Thanks for the history! Fascinating as always.

[@E_Clampus_Vitus]

There is only one ☝🏻 Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. There aren’t multiple “Sierras”.

[@jimForgottenHinterland]

@@E_Clampus_Vitus Really???? Why don't you check out National Geographic resource sierra? Haven't you got anything better to do?

[@jimForgottenHinterland]

For E_Clampus: Really???? Why don't you check out National Geographic resource sierra? Haven't you got anything better to do?

[@jimForgottenHinterland]

@@E_Clampus_Vitus The word "Sierras" is used in many publications such as Nat. Geo. You can search it up if you wish. Are you going to correct them also?

[@E_Clampus_Vitus]

@@jimForgottenHinterland National Geographic is an entertainment magazine. Hardly any kind of authority on language. You can look up the names of the peaks within the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. You’ll notice they aren’t associated with the word ‘Sierra’ at all. So, my question is, when you are referring to multiple ‘Sierras” what are you talking about? Are you suddenly speaking Spanish? You are referring to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, correct? Please walk me through how you get ‘sierras’ out that? I’m interested in peoples thought processes.

[@racheldelfin342]

Love stories about women who were pioneers. Nellie Bly Baker or O'Brian must have been quite a character and it looks like she lived a long life too 😮😅❤ thank you for the cool story 😎 speaking of cool - seeing snow on mountains is cool too 😂

[@MrRyguy2112]

Ahh yes. Eaten at that very deli on my way up to Yosemite. Not very far from the park entrance too.

[@jasonprice8455]

I use to go to twin lake's since I was little and bishop

[@UniusPoenitentis]

Hey Sarah, This is a fantastic video! The story of Nellie Bly Baker and the reminder of that fantastic gourmet restaurant in the Mobil station where I once dined makes me want to make a second trip over there. I stayed in a wonderful room in Lee Vining with a fireplace (it was in October) and toured Bodie and visited Mono Lake. I never heard of Nellie's upside down house not to mention the house she built and lived in. I loved the story! Thanks for telling us all about her! Your channel is the best! 👍🏻🤗❤️

[@UnBoxLifeWithLori]

@wonderhussy all of your content is fantastic BUT in the last few vlogs, you hit it out of the ballpark! From the bottom of my heart thank you for sharing your adventures. I am not able to travel so watching your channel I have gotten to visit many places. The people who are restoring Nellie's property - Thank YOU!

[@sullycliftona]

Wandering in. And out of you tube. I’m watching 👀 the. Scotland Germany uro footy today but I’ll tune back in later. Keep on going crazy critter

[@sharonroconnellandcritters]

Excellent video! One of my favorites! So interesting about Nellie Bly Baker, I'm researching her now!

[@cynthiahofer2903]

Fun video! There is another Nell to check out. Nell Shipman was a silent filmaker at Priest Lake, Idaho. Talk about wild!

[@RalphGuest]

I love this video. Especially considering I was just up at Lundy Lake and Lee Vining on July 12-14, from San Diego. The story of the badass, wilderness guide, Nellie Bly O’Bryan Baker is great. And I love, love, love the Tiltin’ Hilton! Thanks to Cindy, Haley and all the people who helped restore that place, you are fantastic. I’m glad you drank the Lundy Koolaid… lol! Kicking myself that I missed this video before I went to Lee Vining. Otherwise I definitely would have checked out the Upside Down House. But I absolutely went to ‘The Mobil’ to get an official (former) Wonderhussy cap! Met Denise when I bought an all black fitted cap. Thanks so much for this one. This was one of my favorite videos of all time!

[@scottfowler4685]

STILL, the best, thanks Wonderhussy

[@johnnyfishvegas]

Great job Sarah

[@scottcary1]

If you haven't checked out the park in Bridgeport, there are various old equipment on display there.

[@13699111]

Thank you for posting another great Wonderhussy adventure travel video ❤

[@JanisLC]

What an incredible story of this woman! That she left her husband.. who probably thought she was insane .. and built this place by herself .. and survived the winters of the sierra!! So great that family is preserving this place and that you are sharing this amazing story !! Awesome video , once again!! Big thanks !😊

[@donmunro9425]

I would love to see a movie based on Nellie Bly Baker’s life .I bet it would be equally, or even better , than The Call of The Wild

[@andreweppink4498]

Miss Hussie again. Good trip. Excellent story. Thank you Sweetie ❤️.

[@richardelliott8352]

always nice to hear a report from such a scenic section of California, rock on . Lee vining is where people from Yosemite sometimes go out of the park for supplies, depending on their proximity and need .

[@MySORRELL]

THANKS!

[@citizensallianceaustralia2025]

I have heard about people who are just able to roll into any room and be warmly welcomed, and there is a guy called bald And Bankrupt who travels through India and the former Soviet nations who has a similar personality. But you young lady, have the charisma level of not only one Nellie Bly but ten. I am sure Nellie was a real trailblazer for independent, do it yourself women, and she would have been a you tube sensation, but for a person who started life as an introvert, you have come a long way. And if you ever doubt that what you are doing is worth any value, you should rermember people like Denise, all those people who came to your firehouse fundraiser and took photos with you and also those friends who value you as a person and your work and talents. You may eventually run out of mining cabins and ghost towns to explore but you should be proud of your work and the appreciation of your devoted Hussyites!

[@carlritchie7139]

Great country. Back in the early 70's spent a few seasons looking at obsidian sources. Adobe Valley to the south of Mono Lake on the way to Benton Hot Spring. In this area Saw Mill Meadows was another lumber source for Bodie and a dirt track railroad.

[@pixelpeter3883]

Awesome ladies past (Nellie) and present (Wonderhusst)! :-)

[@catchaser52]

[@timburns5025]

Wow imagine that! And i met Charlie Chaplin too, when i was a teenager!😊

[@brendtoconnell6119]

Hat's off to Nellie Bly Baker. I'm curious of the upside down house and what inspired it. That's a good research job for anyone. Good episode Wonderhussy.

[@GeorgeBisharat-m2v]

Outstanding story.

[@richardsaunders8013]

People joke about a Two Story Outhouse but it was a real thing for just that reason. The 8 foot deep snow

[@SCSlimBoiseID]

Cool stories abound. If you're coming to Idaho, how about a story on Polly Beemis? You may have done something on it years ago, but her legend lives on.

[@mikeclendenin6407]

Hey Sara, try a stop at Midas Nv. Semi ghost town with character. Little north of Winnamuca. Cool breeze.

[@wendygerrish4964]

I think she's been thru there

[@mikeclendenin6407]

@@wendygerrish4964 Did she make a video on it by chance??

[@Snarkapotamus]

"Tiltin' Hilton" is what my aunt and uncle named their Winnebago's - all 4 of them!

[@wendygerrish4964]

Ha!

[@soni7949]

Another amazing video, thank you ms. Wonderhussy 😊

[@Stevieray55]

Yup no doubt fuel price, nuts.

[@wizloon9052]

In the upside down house, it would have been neat if you had held your camera upside down to give a different perspective. And WHOA! Gas is $6.59 a gallon for regular? It's HALF that price here in New Jersey!

[@Jules_UK]

That's interesting Sarah. We got an island called Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel estuary, UK. Wonder if your lake is named after our island? 😆

[@tomgraham7755]

I have been to Bodie back in the early Sixes as a boy scout before it was a State historic site.

[@ctruthtoday]

Those caps wash up great in the dishwasher.

[@daveharris2884]

Now I have more places to visit, next summer.

[@richwhitaker1506]

Wonderhussy takes us into the beautiful Eastern Sierra. Spring has sprung. Nellie Bly was quite a character. Kudos to the folks bringing new life to the Lundy environs . Looks like the Whoa Nelly Deli people did Sarah a solid. Have a cool cool Summer, Sarah. ❤❤❤

[@markshietze4783]

oohhh , too cool ! ❤ 😊 thanx for a wonderful adventure , WonderHussy =D excellent history and wonderful content ❤😅😊

[@johnpurdy3336]

Gonna be up in the eastern sierras next month at twin lakes out of bridgeport! Can't wait to get back up there. Absolutely love these kinds of videos. Glad u were able to get ur favorite hat too! That was very kind of Denise. All the best and safe travels! 🙌

[@BellasBone]

Loved Lundy and all of her caretakers ; beautiful place great story and I have loved Lee Vining since my youth ( in all my years visiting the are I had no idea the upside down house was there; I also empathize with you on the gas prices in the Lee vining area; thank you for a great video:-)

[@Stevieray55]

Pretty Awesome everything U do is pretty awesome Boundless Luv Everlasting Namaste

[@tayncar]

Haley is a badass! Keep up the amazing work!! ❤💪 thank you WonderHussy for featuring this gem of the sierras.

[@kerriskaraoke]

Absolutely LOVED this video!!!!! ❤❤❤

[@Kent__the_Baker]

What a nice story arc and meeting the friends along the way.

[@brianmanners8910]

WOW ! Gas is $6.59 a gal for reg ! 😮😮😮😮 Outrageous !!!

[@victoriabaker4400]

It's a very remote location. It's not that high everywhere in Calif. All across New Mexico, Arizona, and into California there are long stretches where the gas on the interstate is extremely expensive and long distances between stations. Get onto remote state highways and it's even higher and further between.

[@EarlyRiser--]

One reason that gas is so high is due to transportation. State highways only go so far and then truckers must climb the mountains and valleys to get to the Eastern Sierra in gas guzzling tanker trucks. Forty years ago gas was high in all rural terrains, so you planned it into your budget and into the price of witnessing one of the most gorgeous high mountain terrains with its forests, mountains, lakes and deserts. Don't blame California, blame the petroleum companies and everyone who wants a piece of the profits. The last group you want to tick off are the truckers. Yes we have high taxes but this is a large state with a massive infrastructure.

[@stilesthissell]

Great fun and awesome history wonder gurl!

[@sharonchavira6645]

We love lee vining. Been there many times. Also best hamburgers right up the street

[@donharsh61]

Awesome Wonderhussy watching enjoying 👌👍😃😎♥️ again Awesome video Wonderhussy adventures ❤❤

[@paulwilson4369]

Damn I thought $3.89 was bad in Washington. Head north for the summer.

[@scottcary1]

Gas prices in Lee Vining are always high. Even compared to most of California. Like about $2 difference.

[@Rob2]

Gas a an average-price pump (in the city, not a discount pump or highway location) is the equivalent of about 8.14 usd/gallon here in the Netherlands. (2.01 euro/liter) But for that, our leaders have the fun of arm wrestling with Putin, so I guess we have to pay up for that.

[@bobbysnow5478]

The fuel haul is literally hundreds of miles away!

[@StephenEsler-xe3op]

Whoa Nelly you must be up north by now doing your stuff very watchable nice work I hope it's cooler it's hot as hell around here very high humidity next week is really going to suck take the time try to help your mother out and it is her decision sweetie pie

[@lesterreed9948]

I find it interesting that she wrote a letter to the Whitehouse or Capital to learn how to build a fire place. Wounder if you can do the same today and can't amagin how long the mail service was. Very interesting video 😊

[@ralphcrosby4051]

Thanks for another fun adventure love ya stay safe 🎉

[@cre8tvedge]

Look at the solar on the roof of the Woah Nellie Cafe!. If ya had an electric they could charge it from all that free sun. And it would be dang cheap. The day is coming. Nice segment Sarah.

[@rainbowmat8204]

Excellent Build

[@texaslonestarrider]

Awesome Video 🎥 And Thanks For Sharing My Friend!

[@skyepilotte11]

Thx Sarah...Great Lundy Lake tour...beautiful people, great area.

[@GarrettKoval]

I got sooo excited for you when you saw the blue hat. I’m the same weird way about my hats. Loved the flash back.

[@garygrasselena]

Hi SJ, as usual, a outstanding story delivered in a perfect presentation. Best wishes and stay safe.- gg

[@timmusick9875]

Nice work Sarah, yet more history resurrected from the bones of the Sierra Nevada!

[@Keith_H]

Information retrieved from IMDb Biography Nellie Bly Baker Born: September 7, 1893 · Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA Died: October 12, 1984 · Lone Pine, California, USA (undisclosed) Height: 5′ 1½″ (1.56 m) Mini Bio Nellie Bly Baker was born on September 7, 1893 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. She was an actress, known for The Goldfish (1924), That Model from Paris (1926) and Breakfast at Sunrise (1927). She was married to J.H. O'Brien. She died on October 12, 1984 in Lone Pine, California, USA. Family Spouse: J.H. O'Brien Trivia Worked as secretary for Charlie Chaplin at the First National studio and appeared in two of his films there, THE KID and A WOMAN OF PARIS.

[@jacksrbetter1870]

Howdy Sarah! It’s beautiful up there, stay safe, thanks for taking us along.

[@alanogilvie4504]

Great episode, thank you ❤

[@glennk.7348]

Yay you found THE hat!!

[@rogerhare7886]

Love this kind of history. Lee Vining makes dyslexics think of Lee Ving, Singer from classic punk band, Fear. ❤

[@charleshicks3492]

Great information and a beautiful spot

[@jimmycogsdil9518]

I love it when you make this type of video. ❤ thank you

[@jerryforeman4543]

Quite a woman! A pioneer in her field. Like the tunes! Thanks for sharing!

[@mango8918]

As always, I love the video. You never cease to amaze me with your knowledge of the off-the-path things that are part of the "middle of nowhere" history of the old west. Btw, I just about died when I saw the price of gas - $6.59 per gallon. Maybe it isn't too bad living in the Midwest where it's just under $4.00.

[@michelmoss7559]

Tahoe, winter of 82ish (lol), snow was so deep had to go into the attic, kick out the vent so I could get out to dig out the front door! Fun times!

[@waynobots]

You need a kayak for places like Lundy Lake.