Mara's Adventures

My last day in the gallery will be Monday, September 30.  A new docent will begin on October 1.  But for this past week I was in the gallery each day, Monday through Saturday, from 10 – 5.  Most days I rode the bus into the park.  I drove a couple days and finally managed to find the right route for employee parking.  Yes! Up until this week I have managed to get there on my own but not without going down the bus only route.  I learned that this was not just wrong but also a longer route (did I mention that the roads where I should turn all say “DO NOT ENTER” . . . employees just need to ascertain which “DO NOT ENTER” to enter! 

It hasn’t bothered me to be lost but what has bothered me was the unknown of how LONG I might be lost.   I don’t want to be driving these roads after dark.  They are winding and curvy and dark is VERY DARK in the mountains!  Good News though as I am feeling more comfortable with the drive this week.  I must say though, I still enjoy the bus ride the most. 

On another note regarding the bus rides, I learned from experience this week that Saturday is a full day for the busses.  During the weekends visitors must have made advance reservations to enter the park.  If they failed to do so the only way they can enter is to take the bus into the park.  That means that they must exit the park and go back to the closest bus stop (which is Yosemite View Lodge) and catch the bus there.  This past Saturday the bus was Standing Room Only.  Certainly makes for great conversations with people from near and far.  Last night I rode in the ‘well’ of the bus (this is where they load wheelchairs and handicapped riders) and had a wonderful chat with a young lady from Brisbane, Australia who is visiting the US while on holiday for six weeks and a young man from Germany who came to San Diego for 6 weeks to perfect his English and decided to extend his stay by spending a week camping in Yosemite.  Both were amazing young people who were delightful.  Made for a great bus ride back to the cabin!

Not sure if I mentioned to you before what a delight the mornings are here.  My morning bus is scheduled to arrive at 6:42 am.  That means, depending on traffic, it can arrive anywhere from 6:42 to 7:30 a.m.  That gives me time outside to just admire the beautiful surroundings.  As I look around me there are mountains.  I don’t hear traffic, I hear nature.  The birds chirping, the squirrels running about, (no bears breathing yet!).  And I watch the sun rise and shine on the mountains.  What precious time this is to experience the beauty that surrounds me here.  I really love this time in the morning.  It is usually just me at this stop so it is an amazing opportunity for reflection.  I learn so much about me during these times. What a gift.

I normally arrive in the Valley (Yosemite Valley is the where the Welcome center, museums, etc. are located) around 8:00 a.m.  It’s about a 40ish minute bus ride.  The “Valley” is the floor of Yosemite National Park.  It is as if you are standing on the inside bottom of a large and deep bowl with mountains all around you as the sides.  

This picture was taken in the area right outside the Museum and the main area in the Village.  You can get a sense about what I mean by being in the bottom of the bowl.  

The Yosemite Cemetery is just on the other side of the street from the Museum.  A good walk can be had here over lunch.

My first stop each day this week has been the Research Library.  The Librarian, Virginia, has been showing me the ins and outs and the projects that we will be working on.  It feels just a tad overwhelming at the moment but I know I will find my place and be able to accomplish the tasks assigned.  I am really looking forward to learning more about the rare books kept here as well as how we address requests and questions.  We have much to do.

We have three additional volunteers coming in   over the next two months to work in the library.  They are from Texas, Florida and Kentucky and will also be staying in the cabins here in El Portal.   Madeline arrives on 10/4 from Florida; Elizabeth and Laura will arrive on 10/22.  I believe they will each be with us for 4 weeks.  I look forward to getting to know them and seeing what we can accomplish together. 

The Chief of Interpretation met with me this week and I plan to shadow he and Ranger Kate on Tuesday this coming week.  (Ranger Kate also rides Jake, the pack mule – – you will recall her from my post where I mentioned I met Jay (not JAKE) the pack horse – – – my hearing gets worse every day!   Kate did say she was struggling with allergies that day and it likely sounded like “Jay”.  The difference between pack horse and pack mule – – – well, that one’s on me!). If all goes well, I will begin serving one day a week at the Welcome Center and then will fill in as needed.  The seasonal rangers (who come each year for the busy months will be leaving soon and having someone who can fill in there will be helpful to them.  I assured Kate and Chief Erik there was no way I should be allowed to give directions given that I can still barely get myself in and out of the Village with any level of confidence!   

What I learned this week about Ansel Adams . . .

A visitor who studied photography with Adams suggests that Adams coined the phrase “pre-visualization” which was a term he used often.  He would see a scene and visualize it in print.  He would then set up his cameras and wait for the shot that would get him to the vision.  Then, with the development process used to transfer that negative to print he would be able to adjust the darkness and lightness of various spots to achieve his “pre-visualized” scene.  Think about that next time you view his prints.

Another of our visitors this week suggested I read the biography of Adams by Mary Alinder.  I’m in the middle of that now.  He believed that to be the best biography written about the artist.  

And yet another mentioned she was his nurse when he had an incident requiring hospitalization back in the early 80’s.  The medical staff were banned from asking for his autograph, but since she was the one administering an EKG for him she did manage to take an EKG strip of his heartbeat and has kept it for over 40 years!  Hmmmmm.  My time there is interesting.

My week ended last evening with a trip to Octoberfest held right here in the village of El Portal.  Bratwursts were sold by a food truck and local beer was on tap.  Music was alive and families were there to join in the fun.  A dunk tank and other sundry games were played.  I’m amazed by the number of community events held in this small community.  They have made what appears to be a very close knit community and one that it is easy to join in with.

So, to sum it up, I’ve had Ansel Adams, Research Library and Interpretation input this week.  I’ve had great conversations, learned more than I imagined about things that I never thought of, shared in the community and had a really good time.  What more could anyone want!

As always, forgive the errors.  Take care, stay safe and be well.

Hugs to all,

Mara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m having some issues with internet access so I’m doing a second post this week.  Hoping this improves but since I’m borrowing services from the locals I have nothing to complain about.  I’m grateful for what I can get.

This past Sunday Mary (a Michigander who received her bachelors from Northern Michigan in Marquette) and I were off again to visit Wawona.  Our first stop was Mariposa Grove, the home of the large sequoia trees and the famous Grizzly Giant Sequoia.

Now I must admit that I did not make it all the way up the trail to Grizzly Giant.  I sure felt like a real wimp.  The altitude adjustment is a real kicker for me.  It was only a 1/2 mile trail but a quarter of the way up I saw the remaining 1/4 was going up on a pretty steep grade.  Even if I forced my way up it Mary would have had to lay me on my side and just roll me down and pray I stayed on trail!  So, I chose not to continue on up and pick up a postcard for the memory book!  Just in case you were curious, the Grizzly Giant Tree in Mariposa Grove stands at a solid 209 feet (63.7 m) it is the second largest tree in the Yosemite, and one of the most photographed.   

After Mariposa Grove we headed to the Wawona Hotel, a favorite location for many who come to Yosemite.  In fact, it is scheduled for major remodeling this coming year and will close permanently on December 2.  Here are some pictures of the Hotel and other buildings around it.  The golf course is located across the street and sits at 10,000 feet elevation.  I didn’t get pictures of the golf course but my golfer friends should consider playing a round here!  I think this would put new meaning on an “unrecoverable” ball.  I’m visualizing a long ball going way out into the abyss.  Or what about a meet and greet on the course with one of the bears!  Definitely not on my bucket list of things to do!

As we walked this area today it really felt like we were back in the early 1900s.  I could just close my eyes and see the ladies in their glorious dresses with the big skirts lounging on the lawns drinking mint julips.  What a gorgeous area.  When I return with the kids and grandkids one day we will definitely be guests at Wawona!  Loved it.

These are just a few of the guest houses surrounding the hotel.  They are more beautiful in person I guarantee you!

From here we moved on for a stop at the History Museum nearby.  Now that was a find! Meet stagecoach driver Ranger Burrel “Buckshot” Maier, the only stagecoach driver / Ranger in the National Park Service who just happened to mark his 50th year of service in June 2023.  

We met up with Buckshot in the stagecoach barn where he is quick to engage with visitors, telling them the stories of days past when the only way from Wawona to the Valley was via stagecoach.  They had over 700 horses and I cannot remember how many stagecoaches.  It took 8-10 hours to ride the stagecoach from Wawona to the Yosemite Valley.  That was in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s.  Now those were the days.  “Buckshot” is the only National Park Service stagecoach driver/ranger in the park service and retired after 50 years of service in June of 2023.  You can read more about him at https://www.mariposagazette.com/articles/a-living-legend/

Here are a couple pictures we took with him:  

From here it was on to the Pioneer Yosemite History Center where we learned more about the village of Wawona in the early days.  We learned about Degnan’s Bakery which began with Bridget Degnan.  Ms. Degnan was an early Yosemite entrepreneur who set the standard for visitor services in Yosemite Valley.  To support her growing family she began making as many as 50 loaves of bread a day in her small household oven.  Her story is a good one if you want to read more about the Degnan family.  You should know though that the cafe in the Yosemite Valley is Degnan’s Cafe.  How about that!

And I couldn’t leave without a picture of the beautiful covered bridge.   

 

It was a great day in Wawona and we topped it off with a view of Bridal Veil falls.  Compared to its spring flow it is just a trickle these days.  But it is still beautiful.  

Now that’s Wawona folks!  Thanks to Mary for a great day.  I couldn’t have navigated this one without you.  Life is truly so much better with friends.

As always, forgive the errors.  Take care, stay safe and be well.

Hugs to all,

Mara

 

This week has been all about the Ansel Adams Exhibit for which I am serving as docent.  I really didn’t know much about him prior to this . . . Oh, I was aware he was a famous photographer who specialized in black and white prints. but other than that I did not know much at all.  

This week I’ve learned from my own research and from my superiors in the museum, but I’ve also learned from visitors who ask great questions (for which while I have to initially answer “I don’t know” but I will research that tonight and the next person who asks I will have an answer!  And that’s exactly what I do.  It is in that regard that I have learned the most.

There is an Adams Gallery here in the Yosemite Valley as well, just 2 buildings from the Museum.  The board chair for that gallery is Adams grandson, Matthew.  While I have not met him I have the folks at the Gallery and they are the most knowledgeable about the Adams photography and his prints.  Talking with them has been truly information and I so appreciate their willingness to share information.  

The exhibit we are displaying is a museum set that was sold on the condition that it be donated to a museum for display.  We have prints in this collection that even folks at the Gallery have not seen.  I wish I could share each and every print with you.  

Had a fun moment on my lunch hour this past Tuesday.  Was heading to the post office to mail some letters and there was Jay with his Ranger Rider  hanging out in the Valley.  Jay is an attention lover, and calms down when he is petted.  When they stop he gets antsy and she lets him walk in circles until more come to pet him!  He is 8 years old and works with a team taking supplies up to the higher elevations.  I loved meeting him (and petting him too!)

 

 

I did mention that last week Mary (from the museum) and I went to Tuolumne Meadows.  The elevation there is 10,000 feet and it was beautiful!  On the way up Tioga Pass we were visiting and looking at our surroundings when Mary said “BEAR” and there just walking up the side of the road was a large brown bear.  We stopped the car and watched as he very slowly walked into the trees and stopping to look at us.  Wasn’t long before other cars were stopping to see.  It was absolutely magical to see this powerful animal.  

 

Glacier rock was amazing, so smooth and polished.  And Tenaya Lake was unbelievable.  The pictures do NOT do it justice.  It is 114 feet deep and so clear and blue.  I believe it is about a mile across.  One of Mary’s friends swam in several weeks ago.  The water, as you might imagine, is very cold.  I really can’t imagine that swim across but finishing it must have been an awesome feeling!

 

 

Thursday night was a local (El Portal community) shindig with Sal’s taco truck stopping by the community center.  I think everyone in the small community came to eat and visit.  This coming week we have another event called Mexican Bingo Night.  L&J Mexican Food will be there with tacos and drinks.  The Community Center has a building here in the community right next to the Post Office.  Great area for these get togethers!

Today is Sunday and I’m off again to explore with Mary.  We are going to Wawona.  More about that coming soon.  

As always, forgive any errors.  Hugs to all,

Mara

 

 

 

This week began with a lot of unknowns and ended with many new things.  The good news is that by week’s end being here was feeling much more natural.  

I drove in to the Research Library on Monday to get the lay of the land.  The first task was to actually find the Museum where the Research Library resides on the 2nd floor.  It should have been a 30 minute drive but ended up taking me more like an hour as I looped the one way roads a couple times.  I finally got myself into the Welcome Center parking lot and found a blue canopy standing by the restrooms with volunteers ready to assist.  My first friend was a sweet older lady who understood my issue, told me to move my car to longer term parking nearby and just walk from there.  It would be easier this way because the roads were all marked “DO NOT ENTER”.  In the future she said I could drive in and just ignore those signs and the road she pointed out would get me to the museum (and it did!). God bless the seasoned volunteers in our parks!

So I parked and walked to the Museum not too far down the road.  She was a saint and assured me I wasn’t the first to be disoriented.  I’ve never been great with North-South-East-West directions but this was even worse!  She assured me in due time the mountains would guide me.  (I’m not so sure but time will tell.)

The walk was short and took me past the Post Office, a couple information centers, the Conservancy, etc.  I believe it is about a 1/2 to 1 mile walk to the Yosemite Village from here but I have not gone that far yet.  More on that in the weeks to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the second floor of the museum is the Research Library.  My supervisor had made arrangements for me to enter and  take the training on the library cataloging number system.  Here’s a peek into the very small area that houses the Research Library.  

 

That position won’t start until the librarian has returned from foot surgery.  Am hoping by the end of September she will be feeling well enough to return.

I spent the rest of Monday wondering around and checking out all the information centers around the Welcome Center.  Getting home on Monday went smooth as silk and I felt like I just might be okay from here on out!

 

 

Tuesday and Wednesday I tried out the bus.  The stop is only a couple blocks from my cabin.  It leaves here at 6:42 or 7:42.  On Tuesday I took the 6:42 and Wednesday the 7:42 so I would know how long it would take from each departure.  That was a big help and the bus stops very near the Museum.  Riding home on Tuesday evening I met Cindy Hall, the 2024 Volunteer of the Year at Yosemite.  She was delightful and provided me all kinds of information to help.  She works on Tuesday’s and Saturday’s at the Welcome Center and I will definitely be getting to know her more each week!

On Tuesday I met Lauren, Museum Curator; Kelsey, the Museum Registrar (who is from Indiana – her parents live in Fishers!), and Mary, the Museum Assistant.  They gave me a project that kept me busy the remainder of the week as well as allowing me to help set up the Ansel Adams Exhibit which would open on the 16th.  Having a project you can see to fruition is always such a good feeling.

The rest of the week was good.  I drove in on Thursday and Friday without any problems.  I had work to do.  I knew how to get there.  And as things began to settle the ability to see the incredible beauty begins to open up.  Funny how anxiety can hinder our vision so much.  Just learning a little about the lay of the land here and having a purposes makes everything so much more clear.  

Here are just a few of the beautiful surprises this week.

 

 

 

 

 

Living arrangements had a few challenges this week.  First it was the Air Conditioning (Temporary a/c still working though.) Then I blew a fuse with my hair dryer and after calling maintenance we determined the electrical box resided in my neighbor’s cabin.  Of course, he wasn’t home!  Took a few hours but soon he was here, the circuits were switched, and I was back in business.  Temporary AC is still working and no more power issues.  Everything good on the home front.  

Saturday I drove to Mariposa to do laundry, get groceries and wander around the quaint little town.  It’s about an hour’s drive from my cabin. Gas is running about $5.14 – $5.60 a gallon depending on where you get it.  Groceries are high but no where near Alaska prices.  

Today (Sunday) Mary (the museum assistant) and I are driving the Tioga Pass to Toulumne Meadow which I am told is a must see.  And the Pass will close soon (normally from late September to May due to snow) so we wanted to get it in right away.  Speaking of Mary, what a great young lady.  I am enjoying her company very much.  She is adventurous and willing to travel with me to see more of the park here.  I love her energy and her talent.  I can’t wait to learn more about her and I think we will be lasting friends.  She is from Michigan originally and came to Yosemite from Palm Desert.  

Teasers for next week’s blog:

I’ll be acting as docent for the Ansel Adams Exhibition these next two weeks and working Monday through Saturday.  I’m really excited about this and looking forward to updating you next week.

Our Trip to Tuolumne Meadows brought some excitement as well.  I don’t have time to give you all the information before finalizing this week’s blog, however, we saw our first bear up close and personal and a beautiful crystal blue lake of clear blue water.  Beautiful!

 

 

Until next week take care and stay safe.  Forgive any errors for I know there are some.  Blessings to each of you.  

Hugs, Mara

 

 

Melissa and I left on Saturday, August 31.  Today we simply drove, and drove, and drove.

We covered 850 miles from San Antonio to Tuscon.  Were you aware that there are a multitude of shades of brown?  It was desert I know but it was lots of desert and open space.  We were more than ready to land for the night at the hotel in Tuscon.

 

Sunday, September 1, Day 2: Tuscon to Corona, California.  We joined our old friends Carmen and Alan Brown for breakfast at their new home in Tuscon.  They moved there from Santa Fe just 6 weeks ago and it was wonderful to catch up with them.  Alan happened to catch my blog post and called to see if we might be coming through Tuscon. Oh what fun it is to see old friends.  It had been almost 10 years since our last visit.

We left Tuscon around 11 am and thought we would stop at Joshua Tree National Park (which would be about 420 miles).  However, by the time we arrived at the exit and learned it would take us several hours to drive though, I tapped out on the color range of brown and we went on another 90 miles to overnite in Corona, CA.   I admit, I had hit saturation on desert and brown!

Monday, LABOR DAY, September 2, Day 3:  Today was a day of visiting.  We spent the morning at my cousin’s home with his children and their families.  I loved meeting their grandchildren who I’ve been writing to for several years.  What a treat to catch up on family and the chance to get acquainted with their spouses and children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cannot believe we never got a picture of Joe and Kelly . . . the matriarch and patriarch of this family.  Guess I’ll get one on the way back home in December.

We left there around 1:00 and took a short drive to the Nixon Presidential Library.  Melissa and I both really enjoyed the exhibits and found it to be informative and enjoyable to learn more about the events surrounding his presidency.

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there we drove just a few miles to visit my dear friend Cappie’s who I met at my first National Park Service Volunteer job in Sitka, Alaska.  We were both newbies at volunteering.

She is an incredible gem that rolled into my life there and I’ve never let her leave.  She has the biggest and kindest heart, and her children are just like her.  She is a positive ray of sunshine every day.  I’m so grateful to get to see her again.  We had a great visit and a beautiful dinner together.  

While it was hard to say goodbye we moved on to overnite at Laguna Beach.  We stayed on the beach at the Surfside Hotel.  We listened to the ocean all night and walked the beach in the morning.  What a glorious evening and morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 3, Day 4:   Today we drove from Laguna Beach to Three Rivers, CA.  I thought we might have slow downs on the 405 and 5 through Los Angeles but overall it was smooth sailing.  Took us about 5 hours to get to our hotel in Three Rivers.  We were exhausted and had lights out at 6:30 pm for a full night’s sleep.  

Wednesday, September 4, Day 5: We started off today with me trying to figure out my YOSEMITE specifics.  Having not received any word from housing and knowing that my supervisor just had surgery I was a little uncertain about where to go and what I would be doing.  So we took the morning and it gave me time to make contacts and get a few more specifics.  

I learned that not only had my supervisor had surgery a week ago but she was to have another foot surgery the following week.  So I will be filling in with other groups at the park which were yet to be determined.  

Housing on the other hand was confirmed . . . cabin #9 in El Portal would be my new home.  Along with my housing agreement came several instructional sheets about bears, rules of housing, bat rabies, and hantavirus from rodents.  It indicated a minimum of 10 rodent traps would be required at all time in the cabin.  

Okay, I will admit that there was some anxiety about the bears in the area but I was dealing with that.  After all, this is their country and we are using it.  Plus bears were not my first experience as Sitka (where I did two stays) also had a plentiful number of bears!  But ‘rodent traps’ and 10 at a time . . . nope that wasn’t on my list.  But I was certain that I’d figure it out and it would be okay eventually.  Ah, the roller coaster of anxiety can be exhausting!  Next step now is to wait for move in and see what the reality is with this rodent thing.  Check in is 3pm Friday!

That afternoon we drove into Sequoia to see General Grant’s tree, the 2^nd largest in Sequoia in the country.  The over 2 hour (and less than 25 miles) drive from hotel to the tree took us up to over 6000 ft elevation.  It was a short distance but a very slow and winding drive over the mountains.  We stopped and walked to the tree which was a downhill walk from being halfway up the height of the tree to the lower base of the tree.  While only a ½ mile walk the elevation and return up was taxing for me.  Oh I may be getting old.  Another two hours down the mountain to the Three Rivers hotel took another several hours.  We stopped at a restaurant for dinner and called it a night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thursday, September 5, Day 6:  We drove from Three Rivers to El Portal and our stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge.  I took the least expensive room but was still a bit pricey at $400 per night.  On the way we stopped at the movies and saw Reagan.  It was a nice break from the drive and we were ready for a nice relaxing evening before move in on Friday.

Friday, September 6, Day7:  We are here!  I check in to the cabin at 3pm.  I am reading about Hantavirus, Bears, local bus system, driving the roads, locations of work places, changes in what I’ll be doing, etc, etc.  We are going to drive up to Yosemite Valley to see the signs prior to cabin checkin at 3pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The drive through the park was so much easier here than at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.  Took me about 30 minutes to get to the Valley from my cabin site.  And the bus stop is close by as well so I won’t have to drive in if I don’t want to.  

I also learned that the library and several working sites are outside the entrance gates so there may be days I will not drive into the park.  All things to figure out next week.  

Check in was at 3p and Gavin from Building and Grounds met me for check in.  Here are some cabin pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures will come once I settle in.  Gavin was great.  He said no worries about hantavirus, and the bear in the neighborhood is called Purple Bear and has a tracker.  All good.  Gavin left his personal cell number (so sweet), we unpacked the car, turned on the a/c and realized all too quickly that it didn’t work.  Oh goodness, it is 4:30 on Friday afternoon.  We have no cell service here.  Gavin did leave his personal cell number for emergencies . . . I wondered if this was what he meant.  Just then my neighbor’s girlfriend (He lives in cabin #10, which is attached to #9)  stopped by, got me hooked up to WIFI from the market and we made the calls and waited.  Gavin came back at 6p.m. and got me hooked up with a portable air conditioning.  (He is now my friend for life!). By this time we have completely melted and decide to head to Fresno for a couple nights in the hotel (and cool air!) as Melissa prepares to return home.

Saturday, September 7, Day 8:  Today we spent shopping.  The battery on my iPhone failed and needed replacement.  Thanks to Robert for setting this up for us!  I had a list of items to pick up at Walmart and we made dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  Tomorrow Melissa will catch a morning flight and I will head back to my cabin.  

Please excuse errors.  I’m taking advantage of the hotel WIFI and getting this done.  I’m sure there are mistakes but you get the picture.  

First class mail will reach me at the local (by the cabin) post office but NO PACKAGES.  You can mail to me as follows.  John, the Postmaster here, will hold it for me to pick up.  And, of course, I’d love hearing from you anytime!  

Mara Yachik

General Delivery

El Portal, CA 95318

(Sorry, I cannot remove the extra spaces!)

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers for safe travel.  It was all a great experience!  Lovely to have Melissa share this journey with me too.

 

 

 

It’s almost time to leave and I am so so excited.  

I was accepted as a volunteer at Yosemite National Park to work in their research library from September 9 through mid-December.   The cabin is located in the community of El Portal where I’m told there is a post office, small market and a (heinously expensive) gas station.  The bus system (YARTS) operates here and it will be about a 30 minute ride to the Yosemite Village where I will be working.

El Portal lies in the Merced River Canyon along Highway 140, just outside Yosemite’s Arch Rock entrance. I’ll be about 30 minutes away from Yosemite Village via the bus system.  Let the adventures begin!