Old School Yosemite

Names associated with sites in Yosemite changed recently due to a lawsuit with the old Yosemite concessionaire. For us Yosemite old timers it is difficult as the names we are used to have changed, The Awahanee Hotel is now the Majestic Hotel, Curry Village is now Half Dome Village.
It would be like New York City being copyrighted and could not be used anymore and the new name was Bob. The two sides need to come to an agreement and get back to the old names.



With that being said we had dinner Sunday night at the Awahanee Hotel, aka Majestic Hotel, for my wife's birthday. If you ever get to Yosemite you need to see the Awahanee Hotel. The architecture and the history make it a must see. Go to the room with the fireplaces and then go to the dinning room. It is not a suggestion but a must see.

Yosemite Weekend

This past weekend we took Friday and Monday off to take a long weekend in Yosemite. The weather was mixed as the first two days were comfortable and the second two days cold and rainy. Even though the weather turned for the worse, Yosemite is still one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Half Dome in the background

 Glacier Point

Lower Yosemite Falls

This year was special. With all the rain we got, the waterfalls are even more spectacular than normal. I have been going there since I was a young kid and I saw waterfalls where normally you don't see one. The only negative is because of the press on the spectacular falls the park is packed with tourists. Even with the crowds it was worth the trip.

We stayed in the park but toward the south gate on  Hwy 41 near the Glacier Point Road. The Condo was a little over 6000 ft in elevation. Because of that I had a bit of a problem. We had a late dinner in the valley and when it was time to drive to the condo the road wad closed due to snow. Who would think we would have to worry about snow in June. My son and I had to sleep for an hour in the car while we waited for the road to open. The park ranger was great. He suggested we sleep in the Bridalveil Falls parking lot since he thought it would be at least 2 hours and he would wake us up when the road opened. It only took one hour and he did come over to tell us it was open.

If you are thinking of a trip to Yosemite I would suggest this is the year to go. The falls are worth the trip. If you are staying more than a day make sure you have reservations for a place to stay. If you are planning a day trip don't go on Sat. The park is too crowded and you will waste a lot of time getting in and finding a place to park. To get around the park take the shuttle. It is convenient and free. They stop at most of the main sites in the valley.

Remember that as the summer progresses the falls will become less spectacular so go as soon as possible.