South of Lone Pine

The last day of our trip found us taking it pretty easy. We drove south a ways to see the Cottonwood charcoal kilns (charcoal was used in the smelters, which were used to process ore), spent some time mineral and fossil collecting near the shore of Owens Lake and finished up the day with one last drive through the Alabama Hills, this time taking a route we hadn’t followed before.

Two remaining charcoal kilns.

Cottonwood charcoal kilns

View of southern Owens Lake.

south of Owens Lake

The next day we drove home; I started feeling weak and out of sorts on the way home, and so began a month of poor health. I’m pleased to report my pneumonia is now mostly a bad, fading memory. Sure feels good to feel good again!