Yosemite and more snow Dec 24, 2008

This morning we got up and ate breakfast in the Sierra Restaurant in the lodge. I think we might have paid 14$ for 2 bowls of cereal but the kids are full and happy for the drive into Yosemite. We spent about a half hour figuring out how to put our snow chains on. Neither of us has ever used or driven with them so we knew the day was going to be an adventure. We needed them as we got closer to Yosemite where they were required. The weather forecast was for 17 inches of snow on Wednesday with more coming on Thursday into Friday. We paid our entrance fee, passing the Mariposa Grove parking lot. I was so hopeful 1 week and a half ago when the road into Mariposa was still open that we would get to go in and see the big grove of trees. The road was now covered with over a foot of snow and the road was closed. If the kids had been a little older, we might could have snow shoed the 2 miles but I had to give up that dream.
The conditions on the Wawona Rd were not bad. Some of them had a light dusting of snow while other parts were clear. The snow chains were required and we found out that the rangers were definitely checking when we began a climb because they were stopping cars to check. After about 45 minutes of driving we came to a bathroom and the parking lot for Bridalveil Falls. There was about a foot of snow on the ground with an ice pack underneath. The bathrooms are not heated and that was probably the coldest bathroom seat I have ever sat on! Once all of us had our potty break we took the short hike up to the Falls viewing area. The water was flowing pretty good although not as strong as it will be during the spring when the snow melts. The legend at the falls is that you can still hear the voices of those who have drowned in the water. There was definitely an ominous feeling and you could hear some kind of popping or breaking noise every once in a while.
We continued toward the valley stopping at the Valley Overlook on the other side of the tunnel. I was the only one who got out and had a decent view of El Capitain and through the snow clouds, I could just barely see Half Dome. I hopped back in the car and we arrived in Yosemite village about 20 minutes later. Everything was covered in snow and the snow was beginning to come down even faster. We parked in front of the Village Store and walked to the Visitor’s center. We took the tour and then watched the “Spirit of Yosemite” in the theatre. We got our passport stamps and then stopped back into the store for souvenirs. We were beginning to get hungry so we jumped back into the car to head over the Ahwanee Lodge for lunch. We stopped in at Cook’s Meadow which had a view of Yosemite Falls and was a great place for the kids to play in the snow. After playing for a while, we finally found the lodge and had lunch. By 2:00 the snow fall was increasing and there were no longer any views of the granite cliffs. As we drove back past Cook’s Meadow, there was no longer a view of the falls. We weren’t going to get to see Half Dome. We decided we needed to get out of the park because the roads were getting worse and all the kids wanted to do was play in the snow at the Lodge.
On the drive back through the park we went right past El Capitain and I got a decent picture when you consider the cloud cover. The kids fell asleep and despite the snow, we made good time getting out of the park.
After an hour nap, the kids were ready for more snow play and we hit the sled hill. Lorelei and I also made a snowman. Around 5:00 we returned to the room to get ready for dinner. We had reservations for the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Jazz dinner in the Grand Ballroom. The dessert bar was the best part and the kids hit the dance floor afterwards. We returned back to the room for showers and PJ’s so that we could go to the lobby for Mrs. Claus reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. By 9, we were all very tired and went to bed. As Scott turned out the lights, Luke said “Yesterday and today were the best days ever”. He was right.