My nephew, to celebrate graduating from college (almost... two more classes to go!) joined me on a road trip to the Eastern Sierra and Toulumne and Shuteye Ridge.

He wasn't into birding yet, but now his life list (after 5 days) is up to like 68 birds or something crazy, with wild views of Barn Owls, Bald Eagles, Bullocks Orioles, Yellow-headed black birds, osprey, canyon wrens, red-breasted sapsuckers, Red-necked Phalaropes, Sage Grouse, Greater Road Runners, Phainopeplas, Hairy Woodpeckers, Clark's Nutcrackers among others.

Yes... for those of you who are not into birding I said Woodpeckers and Nutcrackers. Giggle all you want. I think birding is perhaps the best combo to go with climbing and makes for great rest day activities or road travel fun. Kinda like playing the alphabet game but way cooler.

The trip involved 970 miles of driving, temps from the 60s to 100+, 40mph winds at Alabama Hills (try leading Shark Fin Arete in THAT!), over 65 species of birds, Climbing in: Alabama Hills, Owen's River Gorge, Clark Canyon, Bachar Boulders, Toulumne Meadows, and Shuteye Ridge, More trip fun included two Bill Cosby tapes, Indian Wells brewery, a trip to Bodie Ghost Town and Mono Lake, and lunch at Bodie Mikes.

The scenery was amazing, so was the climbing, and the birding kept us busy on the road and in between climbing excursions.

Here are some photos, but the full slideshow can be viewed at:

http://slatervision.com/www.slatervision.com/Eastern%20Sierra%20Road%20Trip%202012/