From the Recollections of Life and Events in Wawona series
By Jon Finney
Over generations, countless visitors have driven down a meandering Chilnualna Falls Road in Yosemite for the first time in search of an answer to that question. To those that made that journey, we all were that person at one point in our lives and the uniqueness of that initial memory, and those that ensued, is as unique as The Redwoods In Yosemite.
It is a constant appreciation of that dichotomy of commonality and difference that makes the Redwoods so special. Whether you can no longer count the number of visits that you’ve made to the Redwoods or you just discovered it, it should come as no surprise that places like the Redwoods are rare. In many ways, its timeless continuance is an improbable outcome for a small establishment nestled within one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
Were it not for decades of enduring care from its early founders and every generation that followed, the fate of the Redwoods might read quite differently. Acknowledging all the individual contributions that helped deliver the Redwoods to where it is today would be a daunting task, to say the least. Then again, that debt of gratitude may already be paid in full. For anyone that has spent time at the Redwoods has already received something meaningful in return, memories. To the individual for which these memories belong, they are likely priceless.
Generously, several individuals have shared some of their thoughts on the Redwoods for all of us to enjoy. Perhaps that will compel you to share your memories as well. It’s not difficult, you just have to ask yourself, what does the Redwoods mean to you?
Mariposa Grove Photo: Nancy Robbins
From the Recollections of Life and Events in Wawona series
Poem by Kyla King of Cabin 39
I am from warm summers spent learning the names of brilliant wildflowers that cling to granite cliffs and peek out from beneath the scraggly limbs of weathered old pine trees.
I am from clear, calm pools formed over many years in the bends of the south fork of the Merced River where I can swim with rainbow-colored trout that sparkle in the sunlight as they flit through underwater realms.
I am from the sound of Chilnualna Falls as it crashes into a deep, cold pool in the shade of giant boulders.
I am from the smell of sugar pines and wild azaleas.
I am from high alpine lakes, precious jewels enclosed by granite peaks.
I am from crisp mountain air that tastes pure and clean and seems to wrap the awe-inspiring landscape in shimmering gauze.
I am from the wind that whispers through the tops of the towering pine trees, swaying ever so slightly.
I am from small patches of snow settled in the shadows of tall peaks, unwilling to melt in the heat of summer, ready to dazzle the occasional passerby. I am from the babbling sounds of the river, midafternoon summer sunlight, and gentle breezes.
I am from the feeling of warm granite, rough under my feet.
I am from the tremendous effort of backpacking and the relief that accompanies the removal of large backpacks.
I am from the breathlessness felt only on tall peaks gazing out at smudged blue and purple mountains, receding into the distance.
I am from card games during hiking lunch breaks.
I am from days of adventure and exploration and the thrill of discovering something in nature that no one else will see in exactly the same manner.
I am from forging my own path through undergrowth and hiking off-trail, rather than walking along the traditional path.
I am from an oasis, detached from the fast pace of urban life and the humming cacophony of noise that accompanies it.
I am from climbing mountains and bouldering.
I am from a loving family that values wilderness, quiet, and solitude.
I am from a childhood of picking wild berries and collecting acorns with my younger sister.
I am from an environment that inspires me to paint landscapes and write poetry and allows me to understand Frost, Thoreau, and Emerson’s appreciation for nature.
I am from a multi-generational tradition of summer trips, warm nights spent on the deck of our cabin, and hearing my grandparents reminisce about days from their past.
I am from a culture of laughter, adventure, and family.
I am from Yosemite.
Edited by Debbi Shelander
Read more stories from “Recollections of Life and Events in Wawona”
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad opens Saturday, March 15 (Jenny Cars only) and then the steam train begins running on April 1. Well behaved small dogs who can ride on owners laps are allowed on the Jenny cars, along with their well-behaved owners, as space permits. The railroad has a museum and offers gold panning activities. Bring your lunch and take advantage of the tables in the shade of cedar, dogwood and ponderosa trees.
It seems like it’s been the longest 16 days ever, but we’re so happy to share that Yosemite National Park is 100% OPEN.
News is traveling that many agencies are going to take some time to reopen and get everything back on track, but that is definitely not the case for our beautiful park. Our District Ranger informs us that rangers were out last night changing the signs (see more photos on our Facebook page), removing barriers, and opening gates. This past weekend it was declared that services located on through roads in national parks could reopen during the shutdown. Our neighbors at the Wawona Hotel quickly went to work and by the evening of October 12, the hotel was lit up and taking reservations.
Donna Davis, our very own General Manager here at The Redwoods In Yosemite, is eager to give everyone an opportunity to enjoy what we’ve all been missing by extending the ‘Four Nights for the Price of Two” special through November 21. “We are pleased to be able to once again offer our guests all that Yosemite has to offer in the Fall. What a wonderful time of year to visit with the beautiful colors and crisp mountain air,” she says. Find out more by visiting www.redwoodsinyosemite.com.
You may still run into a bit of excitement at the South gate as construction on the new entrance to the park continues, but Redwoods guest Julie from San Diego says, “Nothing is going to keep us from finally being able to fully enjoy this magical place.”
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October 1, 2014 commemorates the 124th anniversary of Yosemite National Park, which was signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison on October 1, 1890. The legislation preserved and protected more than 1,500 square miles, including Tuolumne Meadows, the park’s high country, and Hetch Hetchy. Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias were still under the control of the State of California due to the provisions of the Yosemite Grant. However, the combination of the legislation and the existing Yosemite Grant comprised most of Yosemite National Park as it is known today. “We’re excited to commemorate the 124th anniversary of the creation of Yosemite National Park,” stated Don Neubacher, Yosemite National Park Superintendent. “Yosemite National Park belongs to the American people and we are honored to share the legacy and importance of Yosemite as one of our nation’s first national parks.” Earlier this year, on June 30th, the park commemorated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Yosemite Grant. This landmark legislation preserved and protected Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, thus paving the way for national parks across the country. Next year, the park will commemorate the 125th anniversary of the creation of Yosemite National Park. The National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior, was established on August 25, 1916. In two years, the entire National Park Service will commemorate the Centennial, celebrating 100 years of caring for America’s treasures. After visiting Yosemite and spending time with famed naturalist John Muir, President Theodore Roosevelt pledged to make Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove a part of Yosemite National Park. The State of California receded Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the federal government June 11, 1906. |
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| Photo courtesy of Uptake.com |
Innovative Program Established in Partnership with Sustainable Actions and National Parks Conservation Association
This Valentine’s Day try one of our Top 5 Romantic Moments during your visit to The Redwoods In Yosemite. Our *Sweetheart’s Special is the perfect place to start planning your romantic weekend. Throughout the month of February, The Redwoods is offering 20% off of a two-night stay OR you can receive the 3rd night of your stay free. With this package you will also receive a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider, two commemorative Redwoods champagne glasses and a box of chocolates.
5. WINTER STROLL THROUGH THE PARK
Bundle up in gloves and scarves and stroll hand-in-hand through the many splendid scenes of nature that Yosemite has to offer. Be on the lookout for waterfalls, Giant Sequoia trees, and many species of wildlife during your adventure.
4. SNOW ANGEL’S SKI EXPERIENCE
The Badger Pass Cross Country Ski Center is scheduled to open Friday, February 7th as well as other areas of the resort pending additional snowfall. You and your beau can enjoy the winter wonderland together with skiing and snow angels. The Glacier Point Ski Hut is also once again open to skiiers arriving along Glacier Point Road.
3. HOT TUB DATE
Enjoy your very own private hot tub among the trees. The Redwoods has a limited number of vacation homes with hot tubs and they will go fast. To plan this romantic moment, inquire with your reservation agent about hot tub availability.
2. COUPLES GAME NIGHT
When booking your romantic getaway, ask about vacation rentals that offer the following amenities: Pool Tables, Ping-Ping Tables, Board Games & Puzzles, and Foosball Tables. Let a little friendly competition liven up your stay.
1. ROMANTIC PICNIC DINNER BY THE FIRE
Cook up a romantic dinner together with your sweetheart utilizing the fully furnished kitchen available in each Redwoods vacation home. Gather some blankets and pillows and have a picnic next to the warmth of a roaring fire.
Call (888) 224-0785 to inquire about our *Sweetheart’s Special.
*Offer is not valid on existing reservations or with any other discount.
Badger Pass Ski Resort- 45 minutes one-way drive from The Redwoods
In the winter, Glacier Point Road is plowed in six miles to the Badger Pass Ski Resort, California’s original ski area. This family ski resort offers nine downhill ski runs. Ninety miles of cross-country trails begin from Badger Pass. Tracks and skating lanes are groomed to Glacier Point, 21miles round trip, no trail fee. Weather permitting, Badger Pass is open daily from mid-December until early April. Check with our reservation specialists for mid-week lift ticket specials.
- Spend the day downhill or cross-country skiing, or even give snowboarding a try. If a full day is too much, half-day tickets are sold after 12:45 pm. Seniors (65+) ski free Monday – Friday.
- Yosemite Ski School offers morning and afternoon group and private downhill and cross-country lessons. Lesson packages include the lesson, equipment rental, and lift ticket.
- Badger Pups downhill ski program is a great first ski experience for children ages 4-6, and hourly Badger Den babysitting is available for children ages 3-9.
- Equipment rental, food, and beverages are available at the Badger Pass Lodge.
- Join a Park Ranger for a 2-hour morning snowshoe walk into the winter woods.
On any day trip, always take along a pack with water, snacks, camera, binoculars, insect repellant, and sunscreen. Most scheduled activities, such as ranger-led programs, are offered primarily during the summer months.
From the Recollections of Life and Events in Wawona series
Story by Virginia Wyatt of Cabins 43R & 44R, edited by Debbi Shelander
I am reminiscing today and invite you to take a trip down memory lane with me as I am in the winter of my life, spring: being to my children and youth, summer: adults, working hard to provide for your family, plan for future, fall: ah sweet retirement, grandchildren, hobbies, trips, finding time for things you could not do before and winter: keeping busy mentally and physically as much as you can, memories, reflections and counting all of my blessings. This is for you old timers and for you newcomers a wee bit of history.
Do you remember being able to go to breakfast at the Redwoods? It was served in a bright, cheery area just off of the dining room. The dining room was what is now the conference room. It had many small tables with white tablecloths and pretty red glass oil lamps in the middle of each table and every evening it filled with guests and owners. The menu was ample and the food was good.
Sometimes a group of old friends would reserve a big table and their congeniality and laughter would spread throughout the dining room. Then there was the frosty where if you got a hankering for a good hamburger you could order one with all of the fixins. Many guests and owners would walk down to the frosty after dinner for a special ice cream treat. There was a deck with seating where you could enjoy your food. On more than one occasion in the evening a bear would wonder into the area and create quite a stir.
Let’s not forget Mike Corday. Do any of you remember Mike? He was the Jack of all trades for the Redwoods. He collected garbage, was the security and as I remember drove a blue jeep with the word SECURITY emblazoned on the side door and he drove around and checked all of the cabins at night. In the early morning he made the best darned doughnuts in the country. Mike still calls me about once a year and we talk about the good old days and laugh about the garbage man making the doughnuts.
Several people have wondered why there can’t be a restaurant and frosty anymore. Is it the WPMI, the park rangers or Mariposa County? Do you remember Jean Ketchum (sp.)? She was I believe head of housekeeping and a really hard worker. I can’t remember her husband’s name but I believe he was head of maintenance.
Many of us had young children at this time and we would make a big picnic lunch and take them to the river down by the school house for an all-day adventure. I wonder if people still do that. In the evening I would sit out by the picnic table, drink hot chocolate and teach the children about the constellations not knowing that our cabin was right on the trail the bears used to go down to the river. I could tell a lot of bear stories but that can be for another day. Hope you all enjoyed reminiscing with me. We truly are blessed to have a cabin in Wawona.
*The picture above shows my mom dressed in her uniform and getting ready to work as the first waitress that the Moores hired. It is hard to see but there is a sign that says fresh donuts today and another signs says Coffee Shop and a third sign that I could not read. When we arrived in Wawona in 1965 the Moores had just built the restaurant and were looking for a waitress. When I told them that my mother was a Harvey Girl and had worked at the El Tovar Lodge at the Grand Canyon years ago they immediately wanted her to come to work for them to train their new waitresses. Mom loved that job. Mike Corday told me that mom would even help feed the little children if she was not too busy. She would tell them that there was a little bear in the bottom of the bowl and if they ate all their food they would find it.
Read more stories from “Recollections of Life and Events in Wawona”