About the Author: Alex
Alex founded localfreshies.com® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.
Bishop Visitor Blog Posts by Alex:
Only One Tank Away… Or None At All
Maybe because it’s situated within a hundred miles of the highest AND lowest points in the contiguous points. Or that Bishop is in one of the least populated counties in the Golden State. For whatever reason, Bishop has one-of-a kind attractions that most zip by. Take a tour of the giant telescopes from the movie Arrival at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. Learn about a chapter in the nation’s history unknown by many at the Manzanar National Historic Site. See the natural phenomena of the “sailing stones” in Death Valley that kept scientists baffled until 2014.
Proudly Shout Our Middle Name On Your Next Vacation – This IS Bishop
Out of anywhere in the world, Bishop might be the epicenter of soaking up all the seasons’ offerings to the fullest. The changing of the seasons isn’t a short bang like most other places. Rather, it’s like a well-orchestrated symphony. Starting slowly and lasting for months with a crescendo. The spring wildflower bloom starts in February and lasts until July. Similar to spring’s slow opening, fall foliage begins in early September and finishes in November.
Winter Is Bishop Big Backyard’s Choose Your Own Adventure Story
Do you remember “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? That’s what visiting Bishop is like in the winter. You are the leading character. And the choices you make in the morning and throughout the day will determine what kind of fun you’ll have and the outcome. From...
Be An Informed Traveler – Get An Eye On The Weather, Road Conditions, & More
While Bishop sits at around 4,500 feet above sea level and rarely gets snowfall, it is surrounded by mountains on both sides. Even if you’re staying in town mid-summer, it’s a good idea to take a quick peek and see what’s going on up high. For a full list of webcams…
From Stones That Roll Mysteriously To Scotty’s Castle – Death Valley Is A Must Visit
There are places etched into your memory forever. That are different. Special. Unlike anywhere else you visit. I still remember the first time I laid my eyes on the moonscape known as Death Valley. It didn’t look like it belonged on Earth. Even as a young kid and...
Spread Cheer And See The Migration
No matter how you look at it, fall is a transitory season. It’s where summer finally concedes, and winter hasn’t won just yet. A battle of wills climate-wise. Animals become restless and birds have begun their migration to warmer climates. If you love nature, this is...
Restore That Christmas Cheer With A Break To Bishop
This time of year, especially around the holidays, it can be stressful and even hectic as you prepare for Santa’s big day. Why not combine the joyful spirit of the holiday season with a short break to Bishop’s big backyard. Your family will come home with a...
Never Stop Looking Up – Owens Valley Radio Observatory
Have you ever wondered where the giant radio telescopes in the 1996 movie The Arrival are located? Well, it’s HERE in Bishop’s Big Backyard at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory or OVRO for short. It’s also where Jodie Foster’s character Dr. Eleanor...
The Pit … Is NOT The Pits – Affordable Camping Near Bishop
Are you looking for camping that’s near the world-class recreation of Bishop? Look no further than the Pleasant Valley Pit Campground. Just north of Bishop and only a half mile off Highway 395, this gorgeous and friendly campground is the perfect spot to base yourself...
Your Neighbors In Bishop’s Big Backyard (Wildlife)
Alongside the serene beauty of the Sierra Nevada landscape, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter wildlife of some kind when visiting Bishop’s big backyard. In fact, the mountain range although only taking up a quarter up of the Golden State’s land, contains more...
Journey to Manzanar
When talking about California’s history, the Gold Rush casts a mighty big shadow and rightly so. It caused the biggest migration and brought wealth to the Golden State. The topography also showcases our natural history. And yet one piece of tragic history is sadly...
Fall-ing In Love With Bishop’s Big Backyard
The best part about fall is how perfect the weather is for outdoor fun. Normally when you think of September, October, or even November, it’s all about cold rainy days. Not here around Bishop. Many have affectionally called it “sumtumn.” The summer’s triple digits are gone. The sun is still shining, and evenings are cool, but the days are still warm. It can be argued that the weather is the best season for outdoor activities.
When Life Gives You Aspens, Nature Paints Them Gold
Bishop’s big backyard might arguably be the greatest destination if your favorite season is fall. It isn’t short or fleeting, like New England’s fall colors. Weather is perfect for leaf peeping or any outdoor adventure for that matter. And the best part? Our big backyard is even a bit bigger with fewer visitors as you take in Mother Nature’s fireworks.
Finish The Summer Off Right With The Tri-County Fair
While summer may feel endless, the sad reality is by the end of August its coming to an end. The start of school is approaching or already here. Days are getting shorter. Nights have a bit of a coolness to them. Instead of dwelling on it, let’s celebrate a...
Mussels Aren’t Just For Dinner – What To Know About Crowley Lake Boat Inspections
The alpine lakes in the Eastern Sierra are beautiful. They’re home to world-class fishing and an opportunity to cool off from the summer heat. It’s up to us as residents and visitors alike to do our part by recreating responsibly so that future generations can enjoy...
It’s A Bug’s Life – Microscopic View Of Bishop’s Tiniest Denizens
Bishop may be high desert, but its littlest residents are the reason why it’s home to world-class fly fishing. Artificial flies or fly lures used in angling are an imitation of the aquatic insects that are the natural food of trout and other species. So, let’s take a magnified look at the dragon flies and butterflies that you’ll see in our big backyard.
Nothing Beats Birds For A Wakeup Call – Bishop Creek Camping
The Eastern Sierra experience is about contrasts. Tall peaks that seem to pierce the sky. Deep valleys filled with alpine lakes teeming with trout. Impossibly blue horizons. Unspeakably beautiful sunrises and jaw-dropping sunsets. THE gateway to all this and more is...
Love Bishop’s Big Backyard So Your Great Grandchildren Can Enjoy It
Chief Seattle once said, “If you want civilization to flourish, you must think seven generations ahead.” On your visit here, we hope you embrace our community and its big backyard in the same way Chief Seattle thought. That your great, great grandchildren...
Give The Gift Of Birding
When I was a kid, I still remember trips to my grandparents’ lakeside cabin. My grandfather would sit out on the porch looking at all the birds flying around their bird feeder. And next to him, a handy Smithsonian Handbooks: Birds of America. Suddenly a big smile...
Electrify Your Soul, The Community, And The Environment With A Sustainable Bishop Adventure
No matter your beliefs, doing something for someone else feels good. You are being self-less. Putting energy into something positive. That’s what a sustainable vacation in Bishop is all about. You enjoy yourself but leave the region a better place. What Is Sustainable...
Tips On What To Pack For A Highway 395 Road Trip
Even if your destination is the same, road trips are like snowflakes. No two are alike. This is especially true when it includes exploring Highway 395. Located just east of the mighty Sierra, it follows these mighty peaks rewarding you with vistas and views you won’t...
Life Is Better At Sierra Lakes – 5 You Must Hike To This Summer
When you go out for a hike, it’s nice to have a goal and one of the easiest is to visit a lake. There’s something about an alpine lake with no road access that makes them enchanting. Maybe it’s the price of admission that you need to walk to see them. Or that...