Great minds!
We left on Friday the 17th and also chose NV 95 instead of 395 with chain controls. We were just a day ahead of you, using 360 over Montgomery Pass. We kept going to Big Pine and over North Pass to Saline Valley, but that's another story.
We also photographed the rising moon and flying military hardware, but from the other side of the Inyo range. Really cool you met up with the Ted's for Panamint Valley. We were there later that week.
Finally, we also were at Benton Hot Springs but at sites #2 and #4 on Wednesday and Thursday last week. We were coming home and passing through Tonopah, with Hwy 80 closed and thought, "why not check for an opening at Benton?"
BINGO!
I would try to write up a TR, but our home is still without power after eight days. I'm typing this on generator power, but with Comcast internet. Strange world. It's been over 18 days since we've had line voltage, living on 12v batteries and NG powered generator.