Week #1: When things begin to find their place.

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