I lived in June Lake from spring of 1979 to the summer of 1985. I worked for Mono County and took care of the community center and Gull Lake Park.

During those years, many of June Lake's very long term residents still lived there, most likely they're deceased by now as some were in their 70s and 80s back then. People like Betty Bean, Maria "Ria" Combes, Walter and Gracie Lantz (creator of Woody Woodpecker) and Jo Veenker. Many of these people have lived full time or part time in June Lake since the 1930s. Other early residents stayed in the region, such as former mayor of Bishop Jane Fisher, who I had a working relationship when she was editor of the now defunct THE ALBUM magazine (published by the former Chalfant Press, who published the regions newspapers), I was a regular contributor. Jane lived in Bishop until about a decade ago and moved to Colorado and I have no idea of her current status. As a historical researcher and published author, I also conducted and had recorded tapes of James Franklin, who at the time (early 1990s) was approaching 100 years old. He worked for the city of Los Angeles and lived both in June Lake and West Portal during tunnel construction under the Mono Craters during the 1930s and early 1940s. I donated the tapes to the historical society in Lee Vining about a dozen years ago. I also rubbed elbows with Wes Johnson, who was a Fish & Game warden; Tad Roberts, who was the fire chief and CalTrans worker and others. We all spent our coffee breaks sitting on that wooden bench at Schat's Bakkery, run by Jeff and Patty Nimeshein(?), the building it was in is shown clearly in your webcam; the center of the three little cabins across the street from the post office.

Back in those years, there was an annual show by the June Lake Artists and Craftsmen Co-Op held at the community center. I still have over my desk a photo that I took of the Sierra Wave over Mono Lake that won second place and I have the ribbon affixed to the frame, signed by Walter Lantz.

As for a comprehensive history on the June Lake Loop, which may or may not still be available or out of print - but likely the library in town has a copy - is HORSESHOE CANYON, by Betty Bean. It was published in 1977 by the June Lake Loop Women's Club. Many photos and historical accounts and is a very enjoyable read.

As for me, I decided the grass was greener in 1985 when I moved to Wyoming. I lived in Wyoming 1985-1987, then moved to the gray desert of Trona (I was working for Kerr-McGee in Wyoming, which owned at the time the borax plants in Trona, my ex-inlaws all lived there). In 1994 I moved back to the eastern Sierra at Big Pine but continued to work in Trona until I retired from the plant in 2004. I currently live in Winnemucca, Nevada. But I occasionally run down US395 and if I have time I still enjoy running the loop.