Week#10 (11/17/2024): The rewards of our labors came to fruition this week.

Monday this week was Veterans Day so the library was closed.  A belated thank you to our service men and women, past and present.  

A special thanks to the Interp staff for allowing me to help out at the Welcome Center this Veterans Day.  We were advised at the morning staff meeting that a storm was brewing and rain was expected in the Valley and snow in the higher elevations.  Roads to the higher elevations of the park were set to close at 4pm.  As it turned out, roads were closed early as the rain and cold wind came in earlier than expected.  I was a little worried about getting back to El Portal and my cabin but unnecessarily so.  Ranger Caroline drove me to my car and I left early as all exits from the park with one exception were closed.  The exit to El Portal remained open (this route is the “all-weather road” and normally stays open) so I was able to get home but we feared with everyone exiting in that direction it would be a slow drive.  As it turned out, all was well and the drive home was an easy one.  It was overcast and rainy the entire way home and while only in the low 50’s it felt much colder!

Tuesday morning I headed back into the park in time to serve at the Welcome Center.  There were certainly some slick spots but I managed with caution to get there safe and sound without any issues.  And with the sun out the roads cleared nicely by Tuesday afternoon when I needed to drive to Mariposa to update my credentials for my PIV card.  This card provides me access to the NPS computer system and requires an in-person update every 3-5 years.  

As it turned out what was expected to take over an hour took less than 5 minutes.  Boy was I surprised! and now I had all kinds of time before my dear friends Cathy and Joan arrived.  

Cathy Scott and Joan Head came to visit me and see Yosemite on their California trip to the Redlands National Park as well as John Muir Woods.  Their drive from the San Francisco Airport was ‘eventful’ and on Tuesday they made it to the Wawona entrance to Yosemite only to find it ‘chains only’ restricted.  So they had to take the long way around to get to Midpines for their stay at the Bug Cabins  (I’ll let them share those experiences with you . . . their experiences were ‘interesting’ !). Here we are at dinner at the June Bug Cafe.

What a great visit we had even though their accommodations weren’t stellar they did provide them with material for a great story so be sure to ask them about their time here!  They also had a day in the park that was cold and rainy but still beautiful.  I’m so touched that they made this trip to see me in Yosemite and I wish the weather had allowed for more activity.  All in all though I think they will have a trip to remember with many stories to tell.  

What a week it ended up being!  I’m reminded of my first day walking in to the Research Library and immediately wanting to help put things in order. As a reminder of where we began, take another look at my arrival video from September 9, 2024.  It was a little daunting I must say.

This past week we watched the last of the file cabinets removed and the platform built to cover the hearth of the fireplace removed.  So many boxes and stacks of papers have been reviewed, identified, filed, repurposed, or recycled.  By the end of this week we were able to celebrate Virginia’s 10 year anniversary with the National Park Service as Research Librarian at Yosemite National Park.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Now, watch the current library video, taken on November 14, 2024 where you can see our progress.  The videos are self-explanatory but also thought you might like a few pictures of what we did this past week.  

We began our week by clearing out the final filing cabinet drawers.  More “ephemera” but we are pros at identifying, scanning, and recycling these papers as needed.  By Wednesday morning we had these final filing cabinets empty and ready to be taken away.

The most fun this week was the arrival of ‘our’ Ring Tail (also called a miner’s cat.). You’ll remember we found paw prints on books indicating one was residing in our library.  To commemorate our favored friend, fellow Volunteer Madeline found one that could sit on our fireplace!  Take a look because it turned out to be just perfect.

On Thursday morning we came in with goodies to share with all as we celebrated Virginia’s 10 years with the National Park Research Library.  With our limited ability to prepare baked goods we managed to bring treats for all and Elizabeth shared her pumpkin pie!  A great celebration for a well deserved achievement.  

Thursday was also GIS day.  GIS day provides an international forum for users of geographic information systems technology to demonstrate the applications of GIS technology.  We attended a presentation that shared with us how GIS is used in Park Housing, Multi-Sensor Surveying, and Invasive Plant Management during the afternoon.  You never know all the different things you will learn in the life of a volunteer-in-park.

Good times came on Friday with Volunteer Laura teaching us about water color painting.  Now I will admit my abilities in the world of the arts are severely limited.  But this was really fun.  One of Laura’s many skills is water color painting and she gave us so many tips on ways to bring out the best.  I can honestly say we all had fun together.  We started off thinking we would go have Pizza at the Yosemite View Lodge but were surprised by the fact that it was closed and wouldn’t open until 5pm.  So we came back to the little market, bought a couple frozen pizzas and I cooked them in my oven (I’m the only one of us with an oven.)  Madeline saw that we all had special beverages and we sat and talked over pizza for almost an hour.  Beer in fancy wine glasses makes it taste even better!

 Then it was off to Elizabeth’s cabin for class.  

The week ended with a scheduled power outage in El Portal on Saturday from 9a – 6p.  I drove to Mariposa to do laundry and kill some time.  Returned about 3p thinking that it wouldn’t be too cold in the middle of the afternoon.  I was wrong.  Spent a few hours wearing my down coat and covered in a blanket and was a happy camper when the electricity came back on about 5:30!  Why is it that 50 degrees can feel colder than 30 degrees some days.  Brrrrr. . . 

 

This coming week we will say so long to Laura as she begins her journey back to Kentucky.  We’ll wish her safe travels and sincerely hope our paths will cross again.  

Upcoming events include (1)  Laura’s final day on Thursday, Nov. 21 and (2) Mara’s final day is Dec. 5.

Daughter Jennifer will be meeting me in Tuscon to join me for the drive back to Texas.  I can’t wait to share this time with her.  It’s been a long time since we have had a few captive days together and I will enjoy the opportunities it will afford us for casual and relaxed conversations.  

Please forgive all errors, take care of yourselves, stay safe and blessings to all.

Hugs, Mara