apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

So we jumped in the car and headed north. After 4 hours we found ourselves in Lone Pine where we stayed at the legendary Dow Villa Motel where all manner of silver screen stars stayed while filming Westerns in the nearby Alabama Hills.

But the real attraction was another couple of hours north. The landscape turned white, the air got cold and we found ourselves, literally, in a winter wonderland. June Lake, about 12 miles north of the turn-off for Mammoth is a jewel. Tucked away just a couple of miles off the highway, they boast two restaurants, a bunch of lodges and an incredible landscape that's a little bit like taking a step back in time. I mean there were icicles hanging off all the roofs. Icicles.

The highs were in the 20's during our stay, but we stayed cozy at the Boulder Lodge which has a regular motel section (with that Lake view pictures atop) and small free standing cabins for 2-4 people. Their rates were reasonable and they have an indoor pool, spa and sauna (apparently the only ones in town with those amenities).

We also heard on the radio that June Mountain will be open for the ski season as of today. Given how crazy Mammoth can get, our vote is to skip it and opt for something more low key (and cheaper). So yes, June Lake is our vote. Anyone else stay there recently? Have any reviews? I seem to remember that they haven't been open for skiing in a long time--can anyone confirm or deny?