Week #3: Docenting ends and library work begins.

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