Convict Lake

Convict Lake

Convict lake is nestled in a moraine crotch of the Eastern Sierra. Formed millions of years ago, the valley slowly filled in by sediment from melting ice sheets known as glaciers. Over thousands of years, the shifting ice ground away granite and left it as the only evidence of their titanic forces. When the valley tail filled with moraine a lake basin formed capturing the runoff from the high mountains. Now a vacation spot for valley folks looking for quiet and a place to escape the valley heat.

The story of Convict Lake echoes of the past wild country, cattle, gold, and gambling. It was once known as Monte Diablo Lake. Something about the Mount of the Devil. One devilish story says several convicts escaped from Carson City Jail and hid out at this spot. There they held off the posse sent to bring them back. Two members of the posse were killed near the lake. From there the stories vary; some say all the convicts received frontier justice on the spot, some say two were hanged for killing the slain posse members, and some other mixed stories.

Now it is a vacation destination far from the busy cities of Southern California and the sin and gambling of Nevada’s old mining towns. Families come here every Summer to enjoy the spectacular views, vistas and quiet nature of the area. Local businesses have taken the stories of Convict Lake and created a themed village. One such business is the pack station. Horses for rent, ride or carrying gear and people into the back country for camping.

The horse, or greenhorn handlers all wear faded yellow jumpsuits just like convicts, with numbers on the front and the words “Convict Lake Jail” on the back. Many visitors have never ridden horses let alone seen one up close. So, the ‘convicts’ guide groups on horseback around large pens. They call out commands and keep an open eye on the city slickers. If the visitors have some experience they can ride on trails by the pack station.

Tilly and Jake are two of the handlers working the crowds of greenhorns. Yesterday, Saturday the crowds were thick and Jake was hovering around the more attractive girls while Tilly was having to keep an eye on the rest. When Sunday comes the crowds thin out for Church services held in the nearby town of Bishop. A small crowd of young kids and old ladies were lined up at the gate. Tilly looked at Jake and nodded. The sign for ‘Time to get the show going.’

Jake, Tilly and the other ‘convicts’ head towards the crowd. A family van pulls up and out steps a plain looking young woman in her Sunday best; a long sleeved button down shirt, a pleated dress almost to the knees, ankle socks and flats. She was thin with mousy brown hair pulled back in a tight pony tail. Something black covered her legs to just below her hemline. Maybe spandex pants like a bicycle rider would wear. As the family van headed away the young woman ducked out of sight.

The handlers started their introduction to the crowd asking how many have ridden before. Then they separated them into groups; those that could ride the trail on their own and those that could not. As they guided the group to the stables they heard the bathroom door slam. Jake spun around. There was the young woman Kelly, her black leggings were gone, her shirt pulled loose, sleeves rolled and her skirt was hitched up to her thin waist. The hemline now well above her knees.

Her long skinny legs appeared even longer like this. She went from Churchy to Trashy in just a few minutes. Wendy knew today she was the most attractive girl in the crowd. She stopped after a couple steps and squeezed her knees together, her face went flush and she cleared her throat. No one noticed except Jake and Tilly. Kelly walked forward cautiously at first then more deliberate until she rejoined the crowd.

Jake smelled blood in the water, or at least her scent on the wind and instinctively heading towards her. Tilly knew what he was thinking and put a firm hand on his chest. She looked him sternly in the eye and shook her head, No. The tension was palpable. The two stared at each other for a moment. They looked like two convicts deciding who gets the new kid, the fresh meat. Tilly remembered seeing Kelly with her family yesterday. A couple times she wondered if Kelly was enjoying the movement of the ride a bit more than the average rider. The fact that she was back again today stirred Tilly’s imagination. She wanted first dibs.

Yesterday Kelly wore loose faded jeans and a crumpled tee shirt. Today she looked completely different. Tilly suspected she must have been all set to go to Church this morning when she won the argument to skip it to ride the horses for some unknown reason. Tilly had an idea. Something else was going on. Kelly’s sudden change of dress and the way she was acting. Her walk seemed sensitive, almost labored. Her expression guarded but excited. Tilly had the idea that Kelly would be riding more than horses today. Time would tell. She smiled at Jake and turned to intercept her charge.

Tilly introduced herself to Kelly and brought her to a horse. “This is Marshall. He’s a very special horse. Very obedient and smart. He’s been trained for parade and show.” Kelly brushed the horse’s neck. “Hello, Marshall.” Kelly couldn’t help but notice Marshall’s muscular physique. Tilly helped Kelly place one foot in a stirrup to climb into the saddle. As Kelly lifted herself up over Tilly’s head Tilly noticed Kelly’s undercarriage. Bare skinned and pale, probably never seen the sun.

As Kelly swung one leg over Marshall’s wide saddle, Tilly couldn’t help but watch. Her skinny legs blended right up to her tiny red rump. Only a thin white line rode the crack between her cheeks. When Kelly landed on the saddle a short gasp escaped her lips. Tilly looked up at Kelly, “Everything OK?” Kelly nodded settling into the saddle, her eyes wide and a funny grin across her face. Tilly looked at her with a questioning look. Kelly took a deep breath and relaxed into the saddle with a smile, “I’m good.”

Then Tilly went to help Jake and the others. Kelly glanced from time to time at Jake. He and Tilly were getting everyone to their mounts. Once they were all saddled up, the groups were pointed to the trail or the arena. Each group filed out to their respective directions. Kelly was now watching Jake intently. Tilly came back to check on Kelly who looked impatient but focused. “Are you ready for the best ride you’ve ever had?” Kelly looked surprised, almost guilty. “What? What do you mean?” Tilly just smiled, “Marshall.