Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 118 (Half Dome Village Residences)

Half Dome Village

Half Dome Village

Half Dome Village – More substantial than tents!

Yesterday, we showed a view of the Yosemite Majestic Hotel. In describing Yosemite’s more modest accommodations, we can talk about Half Dome Village. This area was formerly known as Curry Village, but with the change of management of the park came the change of names.

As we were hiking through the valley, we were glad to be able to stop at the snack bar and other stores for some air conditioning and a few modern conveniences. The snack bar was quite busy as were several of the other nearby stores.

For those who would like to try camping, this might be one way of taking a dip into that realm. Understand, however, that many of amenities at Half Dome Village will not be had at the more traditional, bring-your-own-tent campgrounds. There are a variety of lodging types from motel-style rooms to to canvas tents. I have provided more links and information below.

The location is very nice and would be a wonderful launching point for many of Yosemite’s treasured hikes.

Below is some of the information from the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bueau’s website: Link #1 below

Half Dome Village

Incredible location just below Half Dome and Glacier Point, Half Dome Village is a unique and scenic place for families visiting Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome Village Features:

  • 46 Yosemite cabins with private baths
  • 14 Cabins that share convenient bathhouse
  • 403 Canvas tent cabins
  • 18 Standard motel rooms

From the National Parks General Reservations web page:Link #2 below

Half Dome Village (formerly known as Curry Village) is the largest lodging facility in Yosemite Valley. Half Dome Village offers many lodging options including, a motel, cabins with private restrooms/showers, and tent cabins without plumbing. Half Dome Village is one of the most popular lodging options inside Yosemite Park, because of its popularity Half Dome Village sells out quickly; make your reservations 10-12 months in advance to ensure availability of your lodging needs.

Half Dome Village Highlights

  • 1 Specialty Cabin
  • 14 Cabins w/Central Bath
  • 18 Standard Motel Rooms
  • 319 Canvas Tent Cabins
  • 499 Guest Accommodations
  • 56 Cabins w/Private Baths
  • Amphitheater
  • ATM Machine
  • Bicycle and Raft Rentals
  • Coffee Corner
  • Free Shuttle Bus
  • Gift Shop
  • Ice Cream Stand
  • Ice Skating Rink
  • Pizza Deck
  • Swimming Pool – Outdoor
  • The Taqueria Stand
  • Tour/Activities Desk
  • Village Pavilion

Half Dome Village Rooms & Amenities

The following amenities are available at this lodge. Please check individual room listings for room specific amenities.

  • ADA / Handicap Access
  • Daily Housekeeping Service
  • Heater
  • Kid Friendly
  • Pool (Outdoor)
  • Restaurant On Site

Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bueau’s website – 1

National Parks General Reservations web page – 2

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

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STATUS QUOtes — 20161031

“There are as many opinions as there are experts.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

“The man who says ‘I may be wrong, but… ‘ does not believe there can be any such possibility.” — Frank ‘Kin’ Hubbard

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” — Alexander Graham Bell

“My formula for success is rise early, work late, and strike oil.” — J. Paul Getty

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 117 (The Majestic Yosemite Hotel from Above)

Majestic Yosemite Hotel from aboveThe Majestic Yosemite Hotel as seen from near Glacier Point

It is difficult to appreciate the size and scope of The Majestic Yosemite Hotel and the grounds when you are actually at the former Ahwahnee. The picture shows this structure in the center part of the photo just to the right of the dead tree in the area between the pines. When standing on the grounds, the abundant number of trees tend to partially block the view so seeing the resort from a distance provides more perspective.

Other YOY Posts about the Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee):

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 4

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 31 (Majestic Yosemite Hotel Dining Room)

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 81 (The Majestic Yosemite Hotel – Teal Shutters)

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

***********************************

Meta Data – Day 117 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 4:07:00 PM
Capture date: June 6, 2016
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STATUS QUOtes — 20161030

“I prefer silent vice to ostentatious virtue.” — Albert Einstein

“If you are more fortunate than others, it’s better to build a longer table than a taller fence.” — Unknown

“Man is the only animal that laughs and weeps, for he is the only animal that is struck with the difference between what things are and what they ought to be. ” — William Hazlitt

“Some say our national pastime is baseball. Not me… it’s gossip.” — Erma Bombeck

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2016 – II

If you would like to read the first part of the 2016 Enchanted Pumpkin Garden story, click HERE

This year’s pumpkin display at the Carefree Sundial garden had a couple of western themed exhibits. Below, we see two pumpkins sitting outside a saloon with decidedly carefree expressions.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

One fruit obviously violated the rules of the house as he was tossed from the card game onto the nearby street!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Another patron onlooker waved to those strolling by as he continued to enjoy his beverage.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

More macabre is the neighboring gallows where the apparent wrongdoing pumpkin escapes the noose when his stem breaks away. Of course we cannot assume this squash was not deserving the prescribed punishment.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Off to the side, a pumpkin outhouse provides some needed relief .

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

A group of pumpkins were hauling hay to a nearby loft. I am not certain they were doing it as efficiently as possible. The rope seemed to serve as a zip line for at least one of the workers.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

A pumpkin parent took her youngster to the nearby general store for a candy.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

At several points along the paths there were artificial saguaros which housed round brine tanks containing carved pumpkins. They were lit for an eerie effect.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Some of the pumpkins just wanted to have fun!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

The sculptors weren’t the only creative types. This jack-o’-lantern painter took up the brush to create signs, but…

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

unfortunately, this guy was splattered with some errant paint.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

At a nearby pond, a couple of pumpkins were fishing to relax a for a while.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Of course there were some real harrowing displays as well. This poor fellow was being roasted. Who would do such a thing?

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

This is the scoundrel who was turning the skewered squash!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Here we can see the cook in the act!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Hopefully, this will satisfy his tummy or these pumpkins “in waiting” may also face the heat.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

In another area of the garden, a mad scientist enlisted some of the melons to help pull the switches…

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

while the boss mixes elixirs for the holiday celebration.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Other helpers continued to keep the lab machinery going.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

All of this is just ho hum for some of the resident pumpkins and they found places to rest!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween!

 

*NOTE: The pumpkins in the scenes were made using artificial resources to keep them from being eaten by the native wildlife such as Javelinas. Also of note, some of the metal stands supporting the pumpkins in the “scenes” have been removed in the photographs.

Year of Yosemite (YOY) – Day 116 (Yosemite Valley – Sentinel Rock)

Sentinel Rock, YosemiteSentinel Rock stands tall in Yosemite Valley

Interestingly enough, even the supporting cast of mountains, lakes and trails assume staring roles at various times. While hiking Yosemite Valley and at the edge of certain paths, when El Capitan and Half Dome are not directly in view, one tends to focus on other Yosemite features. They are absolutely “ready for their closeups!”

Sentinel Rock is a beauty in its own right, but it is difficult to compete with such extraordinary neighbors. Like Devil’s Tower, this formation could probably stand on its own if it dwelled elsewhere!

We enjoyed encountering Sentinel Rock during our hikes and noting how beautiful it was rising from the meadow with all of the lush green grasses providing the “red carpet” treatment!

 
Do you have a question about our visit to Yosemite? Ask it in the comment section.

 

JBRish.com originally published this post
*All photographs Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with all rights reserved.

 
See previous Year of Yosemite (YOY) posts HERE. If you want to read the introduction to the YOY series, CLICK HERE.

***********************************

Meta Data – Day 116 YOY – Year of Yosemite

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Capture time: 2:53:56 PM
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Exposure: 1/60 sec @ f/18
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Nikon D3300

 

STATUS QUOtes — 20161029

“Anger blows out the lamp of the mind.” — Robert G. Ingersoll

“Many people spend more time in planning the wedding than they do in planning the marriage.” — Zig Ziglar

“The basic test of freedom is perhaps less in what we are free to do than in what we are free not to do.” — Eric Hoffer

“The trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.” — Patrick Young

 

JBRish.com originally published this post

See previous STATUS QUOtes HERE

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2016 – I

During this season last year, we visited Carefree, AZ which is just a short distance from our Sonoran Desert home. They had a pumpkin carving/Halloween display and festival that was, as the title indicates, enchanting. I can also add very creative and entertaining.

To read last year’s posts with daytime pictures that are quite different, visit the links below:

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2015 – I

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2015 – II

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2015 – III

We decided to visit the exhibition once again. This year, however we arrived after dark. The nighttime presented several photographic challenges, so I hope you will overlook some of the shots if they are not quite as sharp or colorful as they should be. I think you will enjoy this post (and the next post) which should stimulate the holiday spirit.

When we arrived, it was just at the end of family pumpkin carving time. Professional sculptors had taught the skill of pumpkin carving and families were finishing their individual creations as we made our way to the large rotunda. This is done to raise money for the local “Y.”

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

It is interesting to watch the experts bring out the detailed facial features.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Why so puzzled or is it sad?

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

The previously carved pumpkins were jealously watching as others were getting all of the attention.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

And this little guy didn’t seem to care one way or the other as he sat upon the table. BTW – we were told last year that the appendages were artificial, but made to look real.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

There were plenty of carved pumpkins to see and some burlap-stuffed figures as well. Notice the faint figure in the background.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Here is that burlappy cowboy that was lurking in the previous photo. After all, it is Halloween in the western desert!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

There was a four hundred pound pumpkin on display as you can see…

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

And it was very orange and large. Notice the person’s legs on the left for some perspective.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

The family-carved pumpkins were judged and this young fellow was brought up to the stage to have his picture taken with pumpkin carver extraordinaire, Ray Villafane, as he was selected for his excellent carving. I was very impressed to see how well all of the amateur family carvers performed. I don’t think I could have done as well.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

A more traditional October pumpkin scarecrow was propped on the stage to help set the autumnal mood even though it was 90 + degrees that afternoon; pretty scary!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

This figure was sitting on a ledge off to the side and would be easy to miss. He was attempting to play a balancing game with some rocks. Just as a side note…the attention to detail in this exhibit was outstanding!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Instead of scaring passersby, this pumpkin looked as though it was scared of us!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Below is another view of a pumpkin pictured above. You may notice that the face glistens a bit. A brine mixture is sprayed onto the surface of the pumpkin as a preservative so when visiting the garden, there is a slight vinegar odor, but not unpleasant.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

These pumps were placed in the back of the stage to help provide that Halloween ambiance.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Not only the pumpkins were golden as..

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

several dogs seemed to be enjoying the exhibit as well. This one may be a bit scared!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

Some pumpkins were just enjoying the exhibition. Others, as viewers will see in the next post, were not quite as lucky!

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

We will leave you this day with an onlooking burlap maiden and child which were appropriately dressed for the occasion.

Enchanted Pumpkin Garden-2016-Carefree, AZ

View Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2016 – Part II


*NOTE:
The pumpkins in the scenes were made using artificial resources to keep them from being eaten by the native wildlife such as Javelinas. Also of note, some of the metal stands supporting the pumpkins in the “scenes” have been removed in the photographs.