Yosemite on short notice with Granddaughter. She loved it.
Aug 9th, 2011, 08:00 PM
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Yosemite on short notice with Granddaughter. She loved it.
In mid-July 2011 we found out that our dear granddaughter (GDD) would be spending most of the month of August with us. I immediately checked Yosemite reservations and found nothing available. I called several times a day for 4 days, and finally bagged two nights at Yosemite Lodge. The price of $200/nite for 2 beds is steep given the quality of the rooms, but it is that important to me to stay in the Valley when visiting Yosemite. We don’t camp.
The rooms were clean, but tired. Beds were ok, but the bed spreads were worn. There were signs of deterioration throughout the room. Water pressure and hot water was great. Our little patio of our ground floor unit opened to the meadow, but views were restricted due to vegetation. Squirrels and Steller Jays frequented our patio, much to the delight of GDD. We were good, and did not put any food out. I’ll get to dining later.
It took about 1.5 hours from Fresno to the south gate of Yosemite via Hiway 41. We stopped at the Mariposa Grove, but did not hike into where the huge trees were. So far GDD wasn’t impressed. If we were to take the motorized tour, in a large open trailer with a ranger, the cost would have been about $70, and about 1.5 hours.
We continued on into the park, and stopped at the little general store/deli at Wawona. We bought some lunch foods and sat at a picnic table and shared with the jays. (I know, don’t do that.) We walked the covered bridge and down to the river, where GDD got her feet wet. She was becoming more involved.
We drove to Glacier Pointe and saw a bear walking along non-chalantly above the parking lot. She really loved this. Glacier Pointe is truly impressive. The views of course are awesome.
We then went down to the Valley, and checked into our room about 4:30. After resting, we went over to the main lodge area and ate at the restaurant. It cost more than it was worth. The food was not bad, just average. My prime rib and DW’s halibut were actually pretty good. Several around us sent some plates back, but I don’t know what they were. We vowed to eat at the food court the next night. The separate bar / lounge was victimized by totally dissinterested and uninvolved bartenders/waiters. Too bad. The view is great.
After dinner, we walked up to the bridge at the foot of the lower Yosemite Falls. The falls were not heavy, but still impressive. For August especially, when usually nothing is coming over the falls. In the fading light, it was beautiful, and we were almost by ourselves.
First full day in Yosemite: Ate breakfast at the overpriced food court. It troubles me when “cooks” can’t handle simple breakfast items. As a fry cook myself in a former life, I know the drill. It’s not that hard if you apply yourself. Guess they don’t. The high prices make it more annoying.
We biked from Yosemite Lodge over to Yosemite Village, and spent a lot of time in the museum and the “Indian village” recreation. GDD was very interested, especially in a visit with Julia Parker, somewhat of an institution in Yosemite. She is part Indian, though not from the Yosemite tribe, but is well versed in the life style of the days before the white man came. She was in the museum showing kids how they made baskets, arrows, toys, etc. It was indeed facinating, and GDD was very interested.
We lunched at a great deli at the Village (sandwiches made to order) and not badly priced. We took a rest back at our room before taking a longer bike ride out into the meadows. We stopped at a beach area on the Merced River, and got our feet wet up to our knees. We did not have bathing suits, and I’m not sure I wanted to risk getting into the current anyway. It is very cold, having been snow a few hours before.
That night we ate at the food court. After viewing the choices of pasta and “family”, we opted for burgers, which were actually pretty good.
Our last day, we breakfasted again at the food court for the convenience, and were more judicious in our food selections. We then took a separate trail out into the meadows, again getting wet in the river. Also viewed the old small chapel which was open. Early as it was, there were few people around. Checked out, drove over to Camp Curry, looked around over there. Then biked up to Happy Isles and walked up to the isles and museum.
The nature museum there is really very neat and GDD was very interested. There is a snack bar there at the Merced River Bridge, where we had hot dogs and sodas for our lunch. The $4 hot dog was large and good. I think the best value of the trip.
We biked back to the Camp Curry parking lot, loaded up our bikes and drove over to the Ahwanhee Hotel. What a gorgeous place. 5 star for sure and prices to match. We looked around for a while, then hit the road.
We opted to exit the park via 140, through the Merced River Canyon and Mariposa. Then 49 back over to Oakhurst, hitting the 41 there and into Fresno. The Valley Floor to Oakhurst was about 1hr 40 m, about the same time as valley floor to Oakhurst via 41 all the way. And, we thought, 140 is much more interesting.
So that’s a quick trip to Yosemite. GDD loved it, especially the biking. We did not get to the high country, Tuolumne Meadows, so maybe next time. Yosemite is beautiful. Too many people and too many cars. But that is why I always recommend to try, try, try, to get a room in the Valley. Once the hordes thin out around 5, and before they arrive, around 11, it is quiet and peaceful. The sun going down is a special time as the shadows creep up the sides of the rocks.
Please enjoy Yosemite. And be careful. 14 people have died in Yosemite this year. Nature is not very forgiving.
The rooms were clean, but tired. Beds were ok, but the bed spreads were worn. There were signs of deterioration throughout the room. Water pressure and hot water was great. Our little patio of our ground floor unit opened to the meadow, but views were restricted due to vegetation. Squirrels and Steller Jays frequented our patio, much to the delight of GDD. We were good, and did not put any food out. I’ll get to dining later.
It took about 1.5 hours from Fresno to the south gate of Yosemite via Hiway 41. We stopped at the Mariposa Grove, but did not hike into where the huge trees were. So far GDD wasn’t impressed. If we were to take the motorized tour, in a large open trailer with a ranger, the cost would have been about $70, and about 1.5 hours.
We continued on into the park, and stopped at the little general store/deli at Wawona. We bought some lunch foods and sat at a picnic table and shared with the jays. (I know, don’t do that.) We walked the covered bridge and down to the river, where GDD got her feet wet. She was becoming more involved.
We drove to Glacier Pointe and saw a bear walking along non-chalantly above the parking lot. She really loved this. Glacier Pointe is truly impressive. The views of course are awesome.
We then went down to the Valley, and checked into our room about 4:30. After resting, we went over to the main lodge area and ate at the restaurant. It cost more than it was worth. The food was not bad, just average. My prime rib and DW’s halibut were actually pretty good. Several around us sent some plates back, but I don’t know what they were. We vowed to eat at the food court the next night. The separate bar / lounge was victimized by totally dissinterested and uninvolved bartenders/waiters. Too bad. The view is great.
After dinner, we walked up to the bridge at the foot of the lower Yosemite Falls. The falls were not heavy, but still impressive. For August especially, when usually nothing is coming over the falls. In the fading light, it was beautiful, and we were almost by ourselves.
First full day in Yosemite: Ate breakfast at the overpriced food court. It troubles me when “cooks” can’t handle simple breakfast items. As a fry cook myself in a former life, I know the drill. It’s not that hard if you apply yourself. Guess they don’t. The high prices make it more annoying.
We biked from Yosemite Lodge over to Yosemite Village, and spent a lot of time in the museum and the “Indian village” recreation. GDD was very interested, especially in a visit with Julia Parker, somewhat of an institution in Yosemite. She is part Indian, though not from the Yosemite tribe, but is well versed in the life style of the days before the white man came. She was in the museum showing kids how they made baskets, arrows, toys, etc. It was indeed facinating, and GDD was very interested.
We lunched at a great deli at the Village (sandwiches made to order) and not badly priced. We took a rest back at our room before taking a longer bike ride out into the meadows. We stopped at a beach area on the Merced River, and got our feet wet up to our knees. We did not have bathing suits, and I’m not sure I wanted to risk getting into the current anyway. It is very cold, having been snow a few hours before.
That night we ate at the food court. After viewing the choices of pasta and “family”, we opted for burgers, which were actually pretty good.
Our last day, we breakfasted again at the food court for the convenience, and were more judicious in our food selections. We then took a separate trail out into the meadows, again getting wet in the river. Also viewed the old small chapel which was open. Early as it was, there were few people around. Checked out, drove over to Camp Curry, looked around over there. Then biked up to Happy Isles and walked up to the isles and museum.
The nature museum there is really very neat and GDD was very interested. There is a snack bar there at the Merced River Bridge, where we had hot dogs and sodas for our lunch. The $4 hot dog was large and good. I think the best value of the trip.
We biked back to the Camp Curry parking lot, loaded up our bikes and drove over to the Ahwanhee Hotel. What a gorgeous place. 5 star for sure and prices to match. We looked around for a while, then hit the road.
We opted to exit the park via 140, through the Merced River Canyon and Mariposa. Then 49 back over to Oakhurst, hitting the 41 there and into Fresno. The Valley Floor to Oakhurst was about 1hr 40 m, about the same time as valley floor to Oakhurst via 41 all the way. And, we thought, 140 is much more interesting.
So that’s a quick trip to Yosemite. GDD loved it, especially the biking. We did not get to the high country, Tuolumne Meadows, so maybe next time. Yosemite is beautiful. Too many people and too many cars. But that is why I always recommend to try, try, try, to get a room in the Valley. Once the hordes thin out around 5, and before they arrive, around 11, it is quiet and peaceful. The sun going down is a special time as the shadows creep up the sides of the rocks.
Please enjoy Yosemite. And be careful. 14 people have died in Yosemite this year. Nature is not very forgiving.
Aug 10th, 2011, 03:56 AM
#2
Great trip!!
I took my daughter and 4 1.2 year old granddaughter from South Florida to Yosemite in mid-June.
The parts she enjoyed the most were the Jr Ranger hikes/walks (getting a ranger pin really made the day) three times and the evening we walked to the Lower Falls when it was almost dark. She still tells people she convince grandpa to run under the falls.
The traffic was such that I would think twice about planning another trip there.
Being stuck in traffic for 2 hours getting back into the Valley wasn't fun. Also, the parking lot outside our Yosemite Lodge building was reserved for buses (they ticket) most of the day. That meant spending 20 minutes looking for a parking space in front of another building and then walking.
Still, a beautiful place.
When we were there a guy disappeared somewhere near the top of the Upper Falls. They posted photos of him and I saw search hellicopters taking off.
I took my daughter and 4 1.2 year old granddaughter from South Florida to Yosemite in mid-June.
The parts she enjoyed the most were the Jr Ranger hikes/walks (getting a ranger pin really made the day) three times and the evening we walked to the Lower Falls when it was almost dark. She still tells people she convince grandpa to run under the falls.
The traffic was such that I would think twice about planning another trip there.
Being stuck in traffic for 2 hours getting back into the Valley wasn't fun. Also, the parking lot outside our Yosemite Lodge building was reserved for buses (they ticket) most of the day. That meant spending 20 minutes looking for a parking space in front of another building and then walking.
Still, a beautiful place.
When we were there a guy disappeared somewhere near the top of the Upper Falls. They posted photos of him and I saw search hellicopters taking off.
Aug 10th, 2011, 08:24 AM
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Thanks BillJ for your report. Sounds like a great trip.
<The sun going down is a special time as the shadows creep up the sides of the rocks.>
This is my favorite time in the Valley! Walking out into the center of Leidig Meadow at dusk. Simply amazing.
Thanks for mentioning the deaths in the park this summer. So many tragedies and many of them could have been prevented had people stayed behind the railings and observed the posted warnings.
<The sun going down is a special time as the shadows creep up the sides of the rocks.>
This is my favorite time in the Valley! Walking out into the center of Leidig Meadow at dusk. Simply amazing.
Thanks for mentioning the deaths in the park this summer. So many tragedies and many of them could have been prevented had people stayed behind the railings and observed the posted warnings.
Aug 12th, 2011, 02:44 PM
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Great trip report BillJ, we are staying at the Lodge in October. The details in your report are very informative. I imagine by October the falls will barely be a trickle and I think sadly no water in Mirror Lake for photos.
I'm stunned to read that you said there had just been snow!
Is that normal in summer?
I'm stunned to read that you said there had just been snow!
Is that normal in summer?
Aug 12th, 2011, 06:36 PM
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Sue; No, what I meant was that as the water flows through the valley, it is very cold because only a few hours before it was snow and ice up in the high country. sorry.
I also meant to mention in the report that bike rental facilities are available at the Lodge and Yosemite Village. If you have time and the inclination, be sure to bike on the trails out into the meadows and catch a sunset, watching the sun creep up the mountainsides. Gorgeous.
BTW:, yes, even on the bike trails, ride on the right. He he he. While I seemed to finally get used to driving on the left in your country, I never did get the hang of walking on trails on the left. LOL.
Have a great time, even though the falls will be a trickle, unless we have early rains.
I also meant to mention in the report that bike rental facilities are available at the Lodge and Yosemite Village. If you have time and the inclination, be sure to bike on the trails out into the meadows and catch a sunset, watching the sun creep up the mountainsides. Gorgeous.
BTW:, yes, even on the bike trails, ride on the right. He he he. While I seemed to finally get used to driving on the left in your country, I never did get the hang of walking on trails on the left. LOL.
Have a great time, even though the falls will be a trickle, unless we have early rains.
Aug 13th, 2011, 12:10 AM
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LOL sorry I get it! Still amazing to me that there is snow in the middle of summer. I guess I'm just not getting how far above sea level all of this is and just how much snow you get. I've only seen snow once in my life and our mountains are mere pimples on the landscape!
Aug 13th, 2011, 07:12 AM
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When you go over Tioga Pass you will probably still see snow at the highest elevations. the Tioga Pass Entrance station to Yosemite is at about 8,500 feet. the mountains around will be over 13,000 feet.
Mt Whitney, nearby, the highest peak in the contiguous US is at 14,400 (4,400 meters).
Mt Whitney, nearby, the highest peak in the contiguous US is at 14,400 (4,400 meters).
