Bridgeport and Bodie

Bodie ghost town - Photo Keith Skelton

Our suggestion for an Eastern Sierra trip over a long weekend: Pick up Highway 395 in Reno or Carson City and spend the first night about 100 miles down the road at the dog-friendly Bridgeport Inn, a historic lodge in the Mono County town of Bridgeport. Two other excellent choices for travelers with pets are Walker River Lodge (also in town) and Virginia Creek Settlement, a compound encompassing a log-cabin motel, housekeeping cabins, tent cabins and campground on the shores of Virginia Creek five miles to the south.

All are great jumping-off points for a "must do" visit to Bodie State Historic Park, a gold-mining ghost town where your leashed dog can join you in exploring deserted streets and peering into the windows of abandoned buildings preserved in a state of "arrested decay." Bring a picnic lunch and water for you and your furry friend, as there's nothing available on the grounds.