Loafing Along the Way

That long stretch of California 14 is behind you. All that’s left is the climb through the mountains on U.S. 395. But as anxious as you are to get to Mammoth Lakes, there’s a must stop in Bishop: Schats’ Bakery. A local landmark since 1952, the bakery, operated by Erick Schats, left, is famous for its sheepherders’ bread, a traditional recipe created by the Basque shepherds of the nearby meadows. The bread--made of natural ingredients, including Bishop well water, and with no preservatives--is baked in a stone-hearth oven. Other breads include chile-cheese, honi-squaw, beer and volkoren , a Dutch multi-grain bread.