Look what I found! Yep, it’s the post I thought I lost last week. So, knowing how desperate you are to read of my adventures, here you go:
June 5, 2015
Scout and I have been in the San Bernardino Mountains near Big Bear, CA for two days now. The altitude is upwards of 7000 feet, depending on where you go, and both of us have felt the effects.
The first night, Scout woke me up with a very anxious expression on her face. I managed to bundle up (temps in the 30s at night here) and get her out just in time to see her squirt out a large puddle of brown goo, followed an hour later by a smaller puddle, and then a final, loud, unproductive “PHBLATT” another hour later.
Each time, it seemed to me that Scout looked a little embarrassed but I might have been projecting. After that, she threw up twice and curled up at the foot of my van ‘bed’ and slept like a rock.
I was worried that she might have eaten something poisonous (she is a mini-Hoover on our walks) but when I mentioned it to my camp-host friend, Linda, in the morning, she thought it was most likely a reaction to the elevation. (I think she was right; Scout is fine now.)
Last night, it was my turn. I had all of the above symptoms (though I didn’t actually throw up, I had my bucket at the ready.) My head hurt so bad I decided to head straight back to San Diego when the sun came up but by the time it did, I was feeling better.
So I’m taking it day by day — or in this case, night by night. Last year in New Mexico and later in Mammoth Lakes, California, altitude sickness nearly did me in, so I’m a bit nervous being up this high again. From what I hear, it’s worse when you try to sleep. (FYI, if you are ever above say, a mile high, drink lots of water and get lots of rest.)
Yesterday, I drove for miles over dirt roads with mountainous bumps and cavernous dips, looking for the dispersed free camping sites on the forestry service maps. I found one near the top of a mountain (with an actual internet signal, btw) but it was taken. Very disappointing!
Ah well, the altitude must have been close to 8000 feet. I doubt my head would have enjoyed that.
Today, we took off again in another direction, downhill this time, but I gave up and turned around after realizing that even if the site was available, it was too remote. If something were to go wrong, if the van got stuck or I fell and hurt myself, there was no cell signal there. I would have no way to call for help. More disappointment.
But oh, is it beautiful here!
On the way back, I stopped and parked at a turnout overlooking a small, deep valley. I was just going to eat a snack and rest up from the strenuous drive but it was so nice that I decided to stay for a while, enjoy the view, and write this post.
Now, if I could just find a place to camp…
