You'll have to reserve judgement on Bodie until later tonight when I can upload the boatload of pics I took, both color and B&W. It was a gold and silver mining town in the late 1870s. Sitting at about 8000 feet, it's a very isolated town in a stark but beautiful locale. One hundred fifty years of wind has weathered and chiseled and colored the wood there into a remarkable golden tawny brown. You have to see it to believe it. That said, despite the color, I think it shoots better in black and white, but you be the judge.
Bodie is 13 miles east of US 395 just north of Mono Lake. If you're ever in the vicinity, and even casually like taking pictures, please go there.
Bob-If the rest of the pictures are like these-I can't wait!! My kind of photo!