Yosemite Vacation

Dawn and I vacationed at Yosemite National Park Mon-Fri, Dec 11-15.

Monday

Left Sacramento around 08:30 after nabbing six liters of water and six bagels from Safeway. We anticipated using the water on hikes but ended up leaving the water in the car. After sitting in traffic for about 45 minutes on south-bound Sunrise Avenue, we escaped across US 50 and headed east on Hwy 16 toward Jackson. We passed Sloughhouse and the Davis Ranch Produce Stand, leaving Sacramento County behind for Amador County and ascending slowly into the foothills. Turning south-east onto Hwy 49 we began driving through former mining camps: Drytown, Amador City, Sutter Creek, and Jackson. One of the historical markers we viewed mentioned the tong wars, battles between various Chinese-American tongs for control of profits, territory, and women. As we passed Mokelumne Hill, we entered Calaveras County, home to Mark Twain's famous yarn. We passed the towns of San Andreas and Angels Camp, where signs swinging from Victorian-style buildings welcome visitors into local businesses. Continuing southeast we entered Tuolumne County, crossing the artificial New Melones Lake via the Stevenot Stanislaus River Bridge. Passing Jamestown we turned east onto Hwy 120/49 before reaching Chinese Camp and the bridge over the artificial Lake Don Pedro. Leaving Hwy 49 at Moccasin, we continued east on Hwy 120. Dawn and I noticed the Moccasin Creek Trout Hatchery. From this point we also became aware of the Hetch Hetchy Resevoir's aqueduct draining water down the hill. Seeing the size of the aqueduct, I felt appreciation for the engineering required to transport the water 167 miles to San Francisco. Between Moccasin and Priest Station, Hwy 120 climbs ~2,000 feet via six miles of switchbacks. Continuing our ascent the towns of Big Oak Flat and Groveland welcomed us. I noticed a sign or two during the trip reading I.O.O.F, which turned out to be a fraternal organization called the International Order of Odd Fellows. Fun. Between Groveland and Yosemite National Park we continued to ascend to about 6,000 feet. It was during this point that we encountered our first sight of snow from the previous weekend's snowstorm. Melting snow fell from tree branches, striking our car's windshield with loud cracking noises, startling us three times. We reached the Park entrance around 13:00, presented our National Parks Pass, and entered. The entrance attendant cautioned us to drive 25 mph due to snow and ice on the road. We traveled this way without use of tire chains until we reached Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley. We stopped for a bathroom break and then proceeded to navigate the construction to the Village Store parking lot, which doubled as a day-use parking lot. Finally, we had arrived!

Melting snow and ice covered the lot. The temperature I guessed was about 10 C (50 F). Dawn and I walked into the Village Store looking for a patch. We noticed YakTrax for sale as well as vinyl rain panchos. Dawn fell in love with a plush bear, found a cute purple hat in the kids' section, and found a Bear Crossing patch for her canvas shoulderbag. Exiting the store we visited the Sport Shop, then walked north on Tecoya Road to Degnan's Deli. I had a "Tuolumne Meadow" veggie sandwich and Dawn had a turkey sandwich. The woman we met shared with us her country-of-origin was South Africa, and she loved African-American actors, especially Cuba Gooding Jr., Denzel Washington, and Lawrence Fishburn. She recommended I watch the South African films Mama Jack and There's a Zulu on My Stoep (aka Yankee Zulu in the USA).

Lodge hot tub
Dinner mac & cheese in room

Tuesday

Ate breakfast at Yosemite View Lodge Restaurant
Purchased ponchos
Mirror Lake
Warm feet by fire
Feeding Deer
Lower Yosemite Falls
Decorated Charlie the snowman
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls Cafeteria
Attempted to register for classes but Degnan's closed at 17:00
Room hot tub

Wednesday

New Yosemite Today newsletter
Purchased patch from Visitor Center store
Computer game playing in Visitor Center store
Questions of Visitor Center staff
trode
Ranger tour Geology
Skywalk boots
Georgia granite for bridge
Moonbow
49 Sequoia trees in the Valley
wind knocked down pine trees
Indian Museum
Mountain Room Restaurant x_x
Registered for classes

Thursday

Ahwahnee breakfast
Mailed postcards
Vernal Falls footbridge
Concert rehearsal
American Dipper birds
Yosemite Cafeteria supper
Concert
Leanna from Andrea Fulton Productions
Stars


Friday

Bridalveil Falls
Wawona
Rainy
Mount Sugar Pine Railroad
Modesto -- search for Peach Tree Diner x_x
Cheesecake Factory