Part 3 - Back in Time in Yosemite - The Owl

The Yosemite Conference is exactly what I expected and covered a full range of environmental issues including discussion of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) updates on the cap and trade, safer consumer products and hydraulic fracturing. California is a wonderful state for environmental scientists. In the afternoon a break was provided to allow time for contemplation and communion with the environment we all work so passionately to protect. 

The Meadow

I found my solitude and contemplation on a hike on the Meadow Loop. It was an easy three-mile walk. On this sunny fall day I saw only 3 people. Almost at the end of my walk I was treated with a view of a Great Horned Owl how sat peacefully up in a pine tree. Upon seeing me he looked at me intensely as if to say stay where you are and we will both be okay. We stared at one another for quite a while and then he flew away. 

What a gift!!

Great Horned Owl

As I walked back to the hotel thoughts of Great Horned Owls and the environment rolling around in my head, I saw the hotel grounds in a new light. The hotel though simple and rustic fits into the wilderness and doesn't try to dominate it.  It’s amenities are wholesome, comfortable and simple things like good people, good music, good food, fire in the fireplace, games, chairs for sitting and relaxing and beauty everywhere. When I got back to the hotel from my hike, I heard of another woman hiking alone near the hotel. She was a Park Service employee who worked at the hotel. When she did not return that evening, she was declared missing and a search ensued. A few days later she was found at the bottom of a ravine injured and suffering from exposure. It turns out that she fell 35 feet off a cliff only a short distance down the trail and fractured several vertebrae and could not move. One never knows what danger might be encountered in the mountains.  

My day ended with the best pot roast I have ever eaten and a glass of organic wine. Sharon, of the wait staff, told me that some of the families have been coming to Wawona Hotel for a 100 years and one man loved the pot roast so much he ordered it every day during his visits. Then she said, "Let me go get you the chef's business card, you can email him and he will send you the pot roast recipe".

Wawona Hotel Fountain

After dinner, sitting on the porch in front of my room I hear the sounds of the bubbling fountain out front, laughter down the hall, and the birds. I think of Ken Burns and his PBS documentary. National Parks really are America's Best Idea.  Honestly, though, I would have preferred to have my own bathroom.

Part 2 - Back in Time in Yosemite - The Wawona Hotel

As I check in, the hotel registrar said, "Don't leave any food or cosmetics in your car, it attracts bears”.  I asked, “Are there that many bears ?“  She answers, “Oh yes, did you see the signs in the park? Each sign is placed where a car hit a bear.” Sadly, the signs say speeding kills bears.

Several staircases and a porch lead to my room.  My room has tall ceilings (I mean very tall....probably 20' high).  There is a ceiling fan and a window over the door that opens.  Outside my door is another porch with more chairs overlooking the fountain and grounds. Though warm in the daytime it is 32 degrees at night! 



Nope, no private bathroom; no internet (except in the sun room); no phone; no TV; no satellite coverage for my cell phone. The toilet is separate from the showers, which are shared (one of each for women and men).  Towels and bathrobes are provided in the rooms.

I am definitely gone back in time here in Yosemite at the Wawona Hotel like Marty going back to the Old West in the De Lorean during the movie "Back to the Future".   

I am not sure I can survive this? 

It was very dark at night and I fell asleep thinking of the bears. 

Part 1 - Back in Time in Yosemite - The Drive

Recently, I drove to Yosemite to attend the Yosemite Environmental Law Conference. Not being a lawyer, I was happy to discover that this conference was attended by many of the top California environmental consulting firms. The consultants came to meet California attorneys and learn about hot topics at the intersection of environmentalism and law. Of particular interest to me are the sessions on the Clean Water Act at 40, Green Chemistry and Hydraulic Fracturing.

I can't think of a more inspiring and wonderful location than Yosemite National Park for an environmental conference. 

Yeah!!!


Adding to my excitement was the fact that I could travel by car instead of by airplane.  I set out in my Prius with no expectations of the journey except the goal of arriving at my hotel before dark. I mapped out my route on Google Maps and then set out.  The day was sunny and the roads clear as I drove listening to the Eagles and Buddha Bar on itunes.  All was fine until my Google Maps directions differed from the information displayed on the road signs.

What!!! Oh no!!!

Google Maps told me to follow Route 99 South while the road signs directed me to follow Route 120 toward Sonora and Yosemite. 

What to do while traveling at 65 miles an hour?

I made my choice (follow road signs) and continued.  After passing through the Central Valley, where the almond trees and farms gradually transitioned to oak trees, golden foothills and curvy roads, my little Prius climbed and climbed up to 6000 feet and then entered long dark tunnels that cut through the mountains and finally headed down again to emerge on to the Yosemite Valley floor.

Nirvana!

The meadow, the gray cliffs bathed with light, the birds soaring above, the giant rocks framing the sky, Half Dome, and Bridal Veil Falls; how could I embrace all this beauty? 

Then up again to 5000 feet and into long dark tunnels … then down again to 4000 feet.Trees, light, green, brown, blue, forest smells, pine cones, clouds, quiet;  so much beauty it was hard to take it all in. 

At the gate to Yosemite the Park Ranger gave me directions to my hotel.  She said "Go 18 miles, turn left, go two miles and turn right.  It takes about one and a half hours”. Exactly 90 minutes later as per her directions, I arrived at Wawona Hotel.  The long circular driveway wrapped around a bubbling fountain ending at a grand staircase and porch full of wicker chairs. The lobby is bustling with hotel guests reading newspapers, sitting by the fireplace, having drinks and listening to the pianist play Cole Porter.  

This was the beginning of a great adventure!