Let it Snow. Let it Snow. Let it Snow.
Visiting Yosemite, Part I
Our family just came back from Yosemite and we all had an awesome time. We’ve been going there for years — first as couple, then with our daughter Megan, next our son Nick joined us, and now, for the first time our youngest, Jack, will experience the wonders of Yosemite.
We packed the truck, gathered the kids, and hit the road . . . on Friday, um, at 2:00 pm. I know, I know. Anybody living in Southern California is shaking their head right now. The reality of living in Orange County is that it takes forever to leave it. Under the best of circumstances, we’re talking two hours to find the open road and leave civilization behind. But 2:00 on a Friday afternoon, well, we could end up in a freeway parking lot until my youngest starts college. As it turned out, it was about three hours before we escaped.
But we were prepared. The kids were all set up in the back with their DVD player and hand held games. I had drinks and snacks tucked away up front and when the last of the city was finally behind us, we were in high spirits and looking forward to our first Starbucks stop.
We stayed in Oakhurst Friday night and drove into Yosemite National Park Saturday morning. It felt like magic. Our excitement rose with the elevation as our truck climbed and climbed the windy mountain rode. To our amazement, it began snowing lightly at first then snowflakes completely filled the sky.
We couldn’t stand it any longer. We stopped the truck and danced around in the snow like fools – wonderful, happy fools. You see, this was the first time the kids had actually seen it snowing (Megan saw it snowing once when she was four, but she can’t remember). Sure, they’ve played in a bit of snow about once every two years, but to see it snowing, wow!
Cold and shivering we all climbed back into the truck and drove about one more mile until we came face to face with a Park Ranger who was directing all vehicles to a chain installation area.
Of course we were prepared for this. We bought chains at Pep Boys, back in Orange County. However, we had no idea how to use them. There we were, standing out in the snow struggling with taking off the plastic ties on the sealed chain box. So, naturally, we used our truck keys to snap the seal.
Our fingers were cold and numb as we attempted to install the “quick install” chains using the directions which were getting more and more soaked every second. Seriously, we gave it about ten minutes before we swallowed our pride and hired the chain installation guy (who was watching us struggle from the warmth of his truck) for $30.00.
He installed the chains in five minutes, gave us a guick lesson on how to do it ourselves and how to take them off when we were done. My husband and I looked at each other. Well, that was easy when you know how to do it. Can you say sucker?
“Well at least we’ll never have to worry about chains again now that we know how to do it,” I said, trying to help us feel better about handing our $30 over. “We could have been out in the cold for an hour trying to install them.”
We continued on our extraordinary adventure to Yosemite Valley where we had reservations at the Lodge. In case you were wondering, we did, indeed, manage to get the chains off our truck without much trouble. However, the next time we tried to install them, the chains broke. Picture the scene from the movie Christmas Story when the father was changing a tire and the kid lost the lug nut in the snow and frustration and curses ensued. That’s kind of how it went down.
To be continued . . .
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Tags: National Parks, Parks, Travel, Yosemite
Great stuff, you heelpd me out so much!