Winning the Yosemite Lotto

Roll the tape back to the night before I am to depart on the 9:00am ferry for the Channel Islands camping trip. I have just learned that what I thought was a simple gray water leak turned out to be my entire hitch and holding tanks hanging by a single bolt. I am pacing the floor trying to make a decision over whether to continue on with my last minute packing required to cover every conceivable need for the next three days, or bag the Channel Islands camping trip and stay behind to face my problem. I am having an anxiety attack. Literally. I cannot breathe. I am in the middle of a mini-breakdown when a “ping” comes in from Facebook Messenger. It’s my friend Kathy from Lake Havasu:

“We have an extra spot in Yosemite June 4-11.”
“OMG!!!!!!!!!! You have got to be kidding me!!!! How many bottles of champagne would it take to get me in?”
“I’m not kidding. Put it on your calendar. Upper Pines Campground.”

Having a chat with the Scotsman, my old friend John Muir.

Having a chat with the Scotsman, my old friend John Muir.

Riding a bike in Yosemite Valley, it's hard to keep my eyes on the road! Too much beauty in every direction. I tell Joey to take the lead so I can sight-see behind her.

Riding a bike in Yosemite Valley, it’s hard to keep my eyes on the road! Too much beauty in every direction. I tell Joey to take the lead so I can sight-see behind her.

Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake

View from the Mirror Lake Loop Trail

View from the Mirror Lake Loop Trail

I have been checking the reservation.gov site at least once a week for the past three months, hoping something in Yosemite Valley would open up. I have only been into Yosemite as far as Olmstead Point over Tioga Pass from 395…never into the valley, so I am eager to go. I don’t dare let on to Kathy that my entire undercarriage is hanging in the lurch right now, meaning I might not have a way to get there. I’ll find a way!

Rafting the Merced River that runs through Yosemite Valley

Rafting the Merced River that runs through Yosemite Valley

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Testing out whether the Sea Eagle really is a 2-person kayak.

Testing out whether the Sea Eagle really is a 2-person kayak.

Jona opts to raft the river on a stand-up paddleboard. (Notice he is packing heat.)

Jona opts to raft the river on a stand-up paddleboard. (Notice he is packing heat.)

I don’t want to pressure Justin at Barber RV, but I do tell him about my plans. “I don’t want to rush you, as I want the job done right. But if it looks like it’s not going to be done in time, please let me know so my friends can find someone to take the space.” He reassures me, “No guarantees, but I’ll do what I can.”

It's pretty incredible to be rafting with views of Yosemite Falls in front and Half Dome behind.

It’s pretty incredible to be rafting with views of Yosemite Falls in front and Half Dome behind.

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Half Dome reflections

Half Dome reflections

If you’ve ever hiked in Lake Havasu’s SARA Park, you are no doubt familiar with the Leaping Lizard Tribe. This group of rock climbers is responsible for the rock lizard sculpture in the park, as well as hauling the picnic table up to the top of the infamous hike by the same name. Each year, they make their annual pilgrimage to the climbers “Mecca,” Yosemite. Joel and Kathy’s son, Eagle Scout Jona, is learning to climb under their tutelage, ergo the annual week in Yosemite Valley.

Lunch and Beer Stop

Lunch and Beer Stop

Joey and Jona brave the cold water for a swim.

Joey and Jona brave the cold water for a swim.

Each year in February when inventory for the Pines Campgrounds in Yosemite loads, this group is ready with a “command station” to insure they secure enough sites for their group. Four different couples, some manning up to four monitors, are all poised to hit the “Book Now” button at exactly 8:00am. Inventory is typically gone within minutes. A week in Yosemite Valley equates to winning the National Park lotto!

Justin at Barber RV releases me back into the wild at 5:00pm on a Thursday, and I am an hour outside the gates of Yosemite by Friday night. There will be eleven of us to divide up between three sites; two RVs, the remainder in tents. But there’s a catch. It turns out one of the RV sites backs up to a creek, and the ground around is saturated. No place to pitch a tent in the entire site. Since Kathy’s kids are sleeping in tents and want to be near her, my RV is the only fit. I have the site all to myself….with a stream nipping at by back wheels. How could I have gotten so lucky to have a week of serenity in the heart of our busiest National Park campground?

Afternoon bike ride to Lower Yosemite Falls and to El Capitan.

Afternoon bike ride to Lower Yosemite Falls and to El Capitan.

Lower Yosemite Falls

Lower Yosemite Falls

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I also hit the lotto where meals are concerned. Kathy and Joel are both gourmet cooks, as evidenced by my last Thanksgiving feast at their home in Lake Havasu. In fact, Kathy is mentally scripting an online cookbook for outdoor adventures. I do my best to keep the drinks and appetizers flowing, but quickly realize my cold rotisserie chicken from Walmart is no match for her menu items like Shrimp Scampi or homemade meatballs. So when she graciously insists, I gratefully acquiesce.

(And no, I don't feel guilty.)

(And no, I don’t feel guilty.)

Jane, Kathy, Joel, and Jona

Jane, Kathy, Joel, and Jona

I also hit the lotto with climber Jona agreeing to wash my solar panels.

I also hit the lotto with climber Jona agreeing to wash my solar panels.

I admit to having my doubts about spending a week in Yosemite Valley in the summertime. But the massive towering granite walls and thick evergreen forests seem to swallow up the crowds. Between biking, hiking, and rafting the Merced River, there is so much fun to be had. And Kathy and Joel’s family along with the Lake Havasu Lizard Tribe truly make me feel like family. And when one is immersed amidst a few thousand families, there’s no better place to be than with one of your own.

Upper Yosemite Trail is one of the oldest in the park. These steps were begun by John Conway in 1873.

Upper Yosemite Trail is one of the oldest in the park. These steps were begun by John Conway in 1873.

Upper Yosemite Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the park.

Upper Yosemite Falls is one of the most popular hikes in the park.

The hike up to the top of the falls is 3.6 miles, but I am going beyond to Yosemite Point, the tallest point on the right, which is 4.5 miles OW.

The hike up to the top of the falls is 3.6 miles, but I am going beyond to Yosemite Point, the tallest point on the right, which is 4.5 miles OW.

At almost 3,000 ft elevation gain, the hike offers beautiful views of Yosemite Valley.

At almost 3,000 ft elevation gain, the hike offers beautiful views of Yosemite Valley.

About one third up the trail, the falls becomes visible.

Yosemite Falls is reported to be the tallest waterfall in North America.

Top of the river, right before it plunges over the falls.

Top of the river, right before it plunges over the falls.

Bridge crosses Yosemite Creek, which plunges over into Yosemite Falls

Bridge crosses Yosemite Creek, which plunges over into Yosemite Falls

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The white spire sticking up in the center of the photo is Lost Arrow, a detached pillar of granite rock.

The white spire sticking up in the center of the photo is Lost Arrow, a detached pillar of granite rock. The zig-zags in the distant green section are the switchbacks of the trail.

U-shape indicates rock cut by glacier, whereas V-shape typically indicates cut by water.

U-shape indicates rock cut by glacier, whereas V-shape typically indicates cut by water.

Views of Half Dome and the valley are spectacular from Yosemite Point.

Views of Half Dome and the valley are spectacular from Yosemite Point.

19 thoughts on “Winning the Yosemite Lotto

  1. OMG. Beautiful! Nicely done. Perfect time of year – ahead of the fire season. We’ve been to Yosemite two or three times in last 5 years, and we haven’t seen the river that full for a very long time. What a thrill, so happy you got to enjoy your time there in all the best ways.

  2. We used to tent camp in Yosemite when I was a kid. Those photos brought back such memories – Mirror Lake, Hiking up to the falls, getting soaking wet from the spray, Half Dome – everywhere you look it’s beautiful. I’m so glad you were able to go with this group. They look like a fun “family.” 🙂

  3. Beautiful pics, as always! I’ve been to Upper Yosemite Falls twice…but never to look over the falls edge as there was snow on the ground both times. What a great hike though.

  4. Absolutely fantastic, so happy that after all your lemons you are now in absolute margaritaville, but with yosemites glory usually that’s what one gets drunk on! The rafting looks fabulous and yo got in before the presidential visit! The land of John Muir is definitely a wonderland! You took beautiful shots of it!

  5. I will add Yosemite in early to mid June to my bucket list. Amazing photos, thanks for capturing such beauty so well. Being with good friends, beautiful hikes and kayaking, delicious food and drink, cannot bet any better!!!

  6. It is clear you have friends par excellance. I am beyond envious as these pictures are fantastic and I know what you actually saw was even more so. After some real challenges in the past year you definitely deserve this stroke of luck. Kayaking in view of Half Dome makes me swoon.

  7. I can’t decide which photo I like best, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, or those steaks cooking over an open fire! Better get your cholesterol checked before doing any more strenuous hikes 🙂
    Box Canyon Mark

  8. It sounds like you have friends in the right places! Looks like a beautiful trip! And the beef farmers thank you. 🙂

  9. First, before I forget, your photos are gorgeous! What you can do with a point-and-shoot is fabulous! I believe that the universe presents us with what we need when we need it. Sadly our minds are often whirring around at such a rapid pace that we don’t grab on to the opportunities before they pass us by. So glad that you were presented with the opportunity to spend a glorious week in Yosemite, decompressing in nature after that awful experience with Winnie. Looking forward to hearing more about your time in Yosemite. 😉

  10. I think this may have been what stifled my enthusiasm for the more likable camping sites in the past, that these locations continue to grow in popularity at such an alarming rate and thus every site and activity becomes a challenge to weed out your own part of it. I also find it confusing and appalling that our campgrounds keep falling on harder and harder times when they are so popular. Still this looks like a fabulous place and somewhere I would like to visit someday. But checking ahead I see you have already covered this topic :-).

    Actually this isn’t why I stopped by (other than to offer congrats on the continued nice work) but I stopped by to share a pun that came to mind. This may be “old joke” material but when I was looking at your lucky campsite I was thinking, “Oh, a room with a view” and then it hit me, no, “A View with a room!” Ja, ja!

  11. Yup, you’re most definitely doing some things right. I have yet to see more than a whiz by of forest in Yosemite once. I need to visit my namesake point. Your fabulous photos make me put this higher on the list.

  12. Unbelievable that you got a week in the valley at that time of year. Back in 2012 I tried to book a week 5 months in advance for June, couldn’t get anything. I had to come forward to May and then could only get a spot half an hour from the valley area.

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