The Mono Lake Project
2012 Itinerary

Day 1 (Tuesday)

Welcome to California! You will arrive at the San Francisco airport and meet your new group and staff members. After a quick orientation, you will head out for dinner and a walk around the city. Spend the evening at a great spot overlooking the city and then head back to the hostel for a good night’s sleep.

Day  2 (Wednesday)

Start your day with service in San Francisco! You will work with a local farm and learn the importance of water in our urban and suburban lives. The Bay Area is fed by nearby mountains and local aquifers, making it a great place for farming, unlike arid Los Angeles to the south. Learn how San Franciscans appreciate this precious resource and have used it to their advantage to create sustainable agriculture and eco-conscious farming practices! In the afternoon, try some local culinary specialties in San Francisco’s neighborhoods and check out Fisherman’s Wharf. This is a happy city – take it all in!!

Day 3 (Thursday)

Wake up early and start the drive through beautiful Yosemite National Park, stopping along the way to take pictures of the breathtaking sights and vistas. Watch the ecosystems change as you head through the mountains and see what animals you can identify in this famous park. In the afternoon, you will arrive at a small town on the edge of the park by the banks of stunning Mono Lake. Cool off with a swim in the lake, and then settle in to this small town and hear about the history of the basin during the battle for Los Angeles’ water. Take a tour of the lake led by a naturalist guide and learn what makes this area special. Meet some locals and have a hot meal, and then fall asleep to the sound of birds and frogs chirping in the distance.

Day 4 (Friday)

Today will be your first day of service! Pull on a pair of waders and jump into the lake. You will learn first hand about how the re-routing of the lake’s source tributaries in the 1940s caused huge chemical changes in the water and affected the ecosystem. Identify the natural flora and fauna of the area and figure out why this volcanic lake is so special. Help identify and control invasive species, do some clean-up work, and appreciate the natural beauty of this great valley. Relax at night along the shores of the lake, eat a hot meal made from local California fruits and veggies, and watch the sun set over the blue water of Mono Lake.

Day 5 (Saturday)

Spend another day in the water doing service for the recovery of the lake and discussing possible options for saving this quickly vanishing body of water and others like it that are being drained to feed the water needs of big cities. After a morning of work, check out a real ghost town founded during the Gold Rush and deserted during the Great Depression. Wander through the abandoned mining village and get a feel for what it was like to be in the Wild West during its heyday. Then head back to the Base for a campfire and some hot food with new friends from town.

Day 6 (Sunday)

Today will be your last day working in the lake, so you will want to make the most of it. Get to know the surrounding terraces and otherworldly sights of the Mono Lake Basin and get muddy as you help researchers find new ways to protect the birds and aquatic animals that live here. Wander through the tufas (natural columns) that were uncovered when the water level dropped and admire a nearby meteor crater. Then enjoy one last barbecue with your group, count the stars in the sky above, and get some rest!

Day 7 (Monday)

On your way back to San Francisco, you will take a different route through Yosemite National Park, giving you another perspective on this famous national landmark. Watch as the regal Redwoods pass you by and the mountains jut up in front of you – you will never forget this amazing place! Back in San Francisco once again, you will explore the city’s nightlife and see what this crazy town has to offer.

Day 8 (Tuesday):

Wake up for breakfast with your group and say goodbye as you head to the airport this morning. When you get home, remember what you learned and think about the ways you can stay in touch with Mono Lake and the beautiful wilderness of Yosemite National Park in the future.

 

Pack the following items in your carry-on luggage:

• Airline Tickets
• Identification (license, passport)
• Health Insurance Card
• Wallet with about $100 (Emergency Cash)
• Sunglasses, Hat
• Toothpaste, Toothbrush
• Journal and Pen
• Snacks
• Camera (and extra memory cards if needed)
• Carry-on bag should serve also as a daypack – small backpack or purse works best

 

Pack the following items in your checked luggage:

• Refillable, durable water bottle (VERY IMPORTANT!)
• Pillow
• Lightweight long pants or jeans that can get dirty (2 pairs)
• Underwear and Socks (8 pairs each)
• T-shirts or tank tops (5 per week)
• Two long-sleeve shirts or sweatshirts
• One nice outfit for city excursions
• Lightweight rain jacket
• Shorts (2 pairs)
• Tennis shoes (one pair)
• Shoes for service projects (any hard-soled shoes, work boots, old sneakers that can get dirty)
• Sandals or flip-flops (one pair)
• Toiletries (soap/bodywash, shampoo, contact lenses, deodorant, razors, etc)
• Personal first-aid items (students may want to bring ibuprofen, Band-Aids, ets)
• Sunscreen, insect repellant, lip balm with SPF, aloe vera gel (in a zip-lock  bag)
• Towel
• Laundry bag or pillowcase
• Medications (all meds must be checked in with staff upon arrival and recorded in Medical Hot Sheet)
• Musical instruments are always appreciated if they can be easily carried. They can be left at the Base House during the day while students are on projects. (Rustic Pathways is not responsible for instruments lost or damaged while on program.)

 

1 – How well will the students be supervised?
Students will be in a mix of locations with the group, and will stay with the group the entire time. There are times they will be in urban areas for shopping or educational excursions or rural areas during service and activities, when they will be allowed into stores or markets by themselves, or will be part of a smaller group for service reasons. The students will be completely supervised during the program by our Rustic Pathways staff.

2 - What costs are not included on this trip? 
Snacks, souvenirs, and other shopping excursions are not included, but all meals will be offered.

3 - What kind of food will we be eating? Where?
They will be taking meals at a variety of places.  Breakfast is usually cereal or bagels, and students will pack their own sandwiches for lunch in the mornings.  Dinner will consist of local specialties and American favorites.  Groups occasionally go out to restaurants to experience local cuisine, which is covered in the trip cost.  Meals overall are high-energy and nutritious, many times made with locally grown vegetables and regional ingredients.

4 - Will the kids be drinking bottled water? 
The Rustic Pathways students will be able to drink water from the tap during this program, but they will have the option to buy bottle water if they prefer. As New Orleans is in a hot climate, we require that every student has a refillable water bottle on hand at all times to stay hydrated.

5 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like? 
Students will be staying at a mix of hotels and camping sites during the program. Students should bring with them a sleeping bag and pillow; all other equipment will be provided. If the weather is not conducive to camping, students will stay in a local community center.

6 - How often (if at all) will students be able to do laundry on this program and what will it cost? 
Students will not be able to do laundry during the program.

7 – Should I bring my musical instrument? 
Although we keep pretty busy during the trip, we do have down time.  Feel free to bring your instrument if it is small and easy to carry.  Rustic Pathways is not responsible for lost or stolen instruments.