Sunday, June 07, 2009

Yosemite Summer Kick-Off


For the past four years, we've our begun summer vacation with a trip to Yosemite. We go with a large group of friends and share meal responsibilities. Most years it's been very warm during the days, and we've loved hiking up to some of the falls so that we could cool off in the mist. This year, it snowed part of the time on the way up, and drizzled much of the time that we were there, but it didn't matter because it was Yosemite, and Yosemite is the most beautiful place in the world!
The view from our campsite was incredible. I had visions of sitting by the Merced River, knitting away, but that didn't happen this year.We did go for a little walk up to the Ahwanhee Hotel. The cheapest room in the Ahwanhee is over $450, so we can only enjoy pretending to be guests. Russ and I did stay there once before the kids were born. My school paid for a two-day stay for me, and Russ happily tagged along. There was a big English conference at the Yosemite Lodge that year, but the rooms there were sold out, so my generous school approved the Ahwanhee stay. I still remember that the room was $315 per night, and that was back in the early 90s. It was such a memorable experience. The rooms are actually quite rustic with few amenities, but that's not what you're paying for. We also walked to the Visitor's Center and watched a movie since Kai had a cough that kept getting progressively worse.Throughout the day, Kai kept coughing and coughing. We finally decided to admit that we weren't going to have our typical Yosemite experience with loads of hiking, and headed home a day early. Kai was in good enough spirits to play with the water pump at Wawona, but he was pretty sick by the time we got home.


I did get to finish a pair of Loksins on the way home. It wasn't quite the same as sitting and knitting by a river, but it was still knitting!

11 comments:

TheBlackSheep said...

Nice pictures! Just my sort of weather and a nice reprieve from the heat for you I imagine (although I've heard it's not been too bad this year). I hope Kai is feeling better!

Love the Loskins!

Cloudberry said...

Beautiful photos!
And your sock is lovely!

Mari said...

I want to go to Yosemite. It has been quite awhile since I was there last. Before we left CA for TX, the hubby and I stayed at the Awahnee for 1 night.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow, how lucky you are to live so close to such beauty! I've never been to Yosemite, but it's on my list to visit someday. Thanks for sharing your pictures!

Tracy Batchelder said...

It's beautiful even in the rain.

marit said...

Love the photos! Sounds like a very nice trip even if the weather wasn't too good. Hope Kai is feeling better.
You've made a pair of loksins! I've knitted those a couple of times, but not yet for myself...yours are really pretty!

JayJay said...

I hope Kai is feeling better! :(

The photos are spectacular! We are looking forward to taking RJ camping when she is a little older. She loves being outside, so I think she'll really enjoy it.

Love the socks!

Anonymous said...

You are a great photographer!!! Love the pics....the weather here has been uncharacteristically cool too......can't wait to see you in two weeks.

XO
Ann/Lincoln

Tracy said...

What fun...it is sooo beautiful there--the majesty of those mountains! And socking knitting to...makes it all the sweeter ;o) Enjoy your Summer Days ((HUGS))

Rani said...

That first picture of your trip . . . WOW! That is just gorgeous! I must put that place on my To Do list!

Hope the cougher is feeling better. Whooping cough and the swine flu went through our school. I was kind of hoping my kids would get the flu so that when/if it comes back next season, perhaps they will have built up some immunity.

Pretty pretty sock!

Torhild Reidardatter said...

Thanks for the trip and memorie trip. Was out there in 2002- it sure is a beatiful place. I "smuggled " a giant pine cone with me and it has its place ever christmas it comes out and reminds us all of what a nice trip that was.