Jack,

That is a "bear box", a big steel box, the area is active with bears.
Everyone has to stash all the food, or anything that smells like food (pots,
candy, makeup) into that box overnight and whenever you leave the campsite.
The literature we received even suggested to check your kids to make sure
they don't have any marshmallow leftovers stuck on the lips of your kids
:).   There is a sign posted that you can get a ticket if there is an
oversight and you accidentally feed the bears (gotta love those endless Cali
laws / behavior engineering).  On the day we arrived, the camp host reported
that there was a mom and 2 cubs that had roamed around a site in this
campground that morning.  Backpackers in the Sierras (not sure how wide a
zone) all have to take a portable bear box with them for the same purpose, a
round plastic tube like these:
http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/articles/bear+resistant+canisters.html

We didn't see any on this trip, I think they are black bears, smaller, they
don't outright attack humans, but will if defending their young.  They do
climb the trees.

Coincidentally,not sure if anyone saw this news report from yesterday:
*4 teens badly hurt in attack by brown bears in Alaskan wilderness*
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/24/alaska.bear.attack/

About taking too much stuff, that is why I don't have a box on the roof, or
a trailer.  I allow only what can fit behind the rear seat in the Vanagon
(except a small bag or pillow that can go in the front which people might
like during the driving).  That is really one very cool thing that I love
about Vanagons, it has that huge "trunk" in back and one can take lots of
stuff without impacting the sitting area.

Roland

On Mon, Jul 25, 2011 at 10:36 AM, Jack Botts <johnnyjewel43@hotmail.com>wrote:

> What beautiful Country! In the 2 camp pics, is that a bedroom dresser I
> see? My wife takes the kitchen sink -- hope she doesn't see this!
>
> Jack
>
> '86 Wsty Wkndr
> '05 Jetta TiDI wgn
>
>
> > Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2011 19:08:15 -0700
> > From: syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM
> > Subject: We went to Mammoth Lakes for a few days...
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >
> > What a great place, it was our first visit there, really nice country. Up
>
>