Leisa Collins Art with a Message: Mammoth Lakes -- Fine Food and Wine, Cool People and Dogs, and a House Portrait of The Far Side

Continuing our journey northward through California, it was mid-afternoon when we left Bishop heading for Yosemite National Park via Mammoth Lakes. We intended to stop briefly in Mammoth Lakes for a “quick drink” with a lady I met that day while doing my best to paint landscapes of Bishop in a park near the center of town. As we drove into Mammoth, it’s alpine village setting reminded me of my time in Switzerland. I huddled over a map, navigating as Bruce drove, and we wound our way up a steep incline, marveling at the magnificent views all around us. We finally came to a Swiss-style chateau perched at the top of the road, the home of Chris and Tom House, which they call The Far Side. What we didn’t know is that it is also the home of four huge, lovable and extremely well-mannered Burmese Mountain Dogs!

We were soon chatting with Chris and Tom as if we had known them for years. They are a delightful couple who have been married for 50 years and have traveled and lived in all corners of the world. They told fascinating stories and with a keen sense of humor - dry and wry. We drank a beer and ate cheese and crackers as we watched the sun set over a stunning view from their living room balcony. About that time Tom correctly observed that it would be dark by the time we reached Yosemite. He further noted that it would indeed be a tragedy to waste an opportunity to see that glorious landscape in full daylight. Chris urged us to stay the night. No arm twisting was needed. We ate a delicious meal, drank red wine (as Tom put it - "now that you are not driving...") and shared hours fabulous conversation before retiring to our guest bedroom with a private balcony and panoramic mountain view.

We woke up to a beautiful sunrise and I immediately set to work creating a pen and watercolor wash painting of The Far Side as a gift to Chris and Tom for their remakable hospitality. Being that their dogs are part and parcel to the family, in the finished house portrait one Burmese Mountain Dog is poking his head up over an upper balcony. We made an official presentation to Chris and Tom - and the dogs, of course - and after heartfelt farewells we were winding our way down the mountain, on the road again, headed for Yosemite National Park.