Swell

Oh! The glory of the view!  The emerald green and snowy white of the falling water; the dizzying leap into the yawning chasm; the roar, and foam, and spray of the deadly struggle with the rocks below; the deep green of the somber pines, and the exquisite, fresh and lively green of grass, ferns and moss, wet with eternal spray; the perpendicular, rocky walls, rising far above us toward the blue, arching sky.  As I stood there, gazing down into the dark and roaring chasm, and up into the clear sky, my heart swelled with gratitude to the Great Author of all beauty and grandeur.  --Joseph LeConte

Activist Powers Activated

What is this a picture of??

    

Well if you were raised in California, you may think (as I did) that it's a "closed" water fountain.  Never to be used.  And, if you worked in the Village Store (as I do) here in Yosemite you might sell 4,364 single use water bottles a day!!  Nothing is as bad as single use water bottles!  People complain about the price of gas, but they will pay $2 for a 16 oz. bottle of water.   Don't even get me started on ecological ramifications of them...

So there I am wondering why the water fountains are all "closed" when over 135,000 gallons of water flow down Yosemite Falls alone!  We should be giving the water away!  I was all set to "write a report" and send a copy to the company I work for and any one else who could implement change here.  I went to the Information Center to find out where I can fill up my (stainless steel) water bottle.  The Ranger pointed to a water fountain directly out front!!  He then told me there is also a Water Filling Station about a block away. He then explained that the water fountain is WRAPPED for WINTER!! What does a Southern Cali girl know about winterization?! NOTHING!! lol.....He then told me that the National Park system is actually working on phasing out single use bottles altogether.  I later found out that 6 more Water Filling Stations will be added by summer!!

So, I went from clenched fists ready to fight (and a heavy heart) to arms stretched in praise!!  The company I work for has this quote, "We share in the concern for the fragile nature of the park and continuously look for ways to minimize the impact of our business on the environment. We play an active role in supporting the NPS's resource management activities."-- DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemte

Maybe I can believe them...but we need to act now!!

Cooking With Jeanne

This morning was my first day off the meal plan.  In my usual fashion, I was well prepared.  I went into Merced the other day and bought the basic essentials, coffee press, coffee mug, small fry pan, cutting board, small pot, and a few other things.  I bought all my groceries at the Village Market, where I work.

This morning I had my coffee and a scrambled egg with tomato, cheese and avocado.  I ate directly from the fry pan because I didn't buy plates or utensils because I am waiting to hit up the local thrift store.   It was yummy!!  I was so happy to be cooking and eating the foods I am used to, and not having to rush to get the the buffet or the coffee corner before they close!!  For lunch, I will be making PB&J and will probably bring an extra one to work for later.  I truly think I made the right decision for me!!

It never rains in California

IT POURS!!!! Man, it pours......Wednesday it rained all day!  The tourists were in the Market for HOURS trying to stay dry.  Tourists do not like the rain (amongst other things, I am finding out), so not only was it extremely busy at the Market, but it was full of crabby people!
Later that night, after eating/brushing teeth/reading, I got up to use the restroom, which means get dressed and walk 1/2 a block.  It was about 1am by then.  It was sprinkling a bit.  I got back into bed, pulled the covers over my head and BOOM BOOM BOOM THUNDER!! followed immediately by lightning  Then the rain started.  For about 45 minutes we had thunder and lightning with the HEAVIEST rainfall I have felt in almost 10 years!!  Yes it rains a lot in Seattle, but there is nothing like a California Downpour!!  Have I mentioned that I live in a canvas tent??  Yeah, it was SOOOO loud in there, and those that know me know that I have sensitive ears!!   I had to wear earplugs just to get back to sleep.  It was awesome!!  and it was the best nights sleep I have gotten in three weeks.....
Now, about last night....has anyone ever smelled a skunk for hours and hours and hours.....lol

Jeez, lots of keys!!

For 2 months this year I had NO keys.  My car was in SanFrancisco and I was living at my parents temporarily. I really liked that!  It felt like freedom.  So now here I am, living in a TENT with 7 keys!!  I use 5 of them on a basis daily.  Starting from the bottom: Gold key: padlock to tent, Long silver key: car (which I have only driven 3 times in 3 weeks), small silver: personal safe, black/silver: padlock to my clothes cabinet, silver with round bottom: bike lock, long gold key: the NICHE for my bank at work, medium silver key: the padlock to my locker at work.

THAT'S A LOT OF KEYS!!  

The hazards of.......

I live in Yosemite VALLEY...it is a beautiful valley surrounded by 3000 foot granite cliffs.  I make it a point to LOOK UP when ever I am walking to and from just about anywhere.  Its so easy to forget to look up.  It's also easy to fall on yer arse!!  Down I went this morning as I was admiring a small runoff waterfall.  It's a beautiful sunny morning, I had my coffee in hand, I had my headphones on...so I don't really know how LOUD I yelled out that certain four letter word I am known to use (on occasion, lol).  A group of people may have seen me, but as far as I could tell I was the only one in the general vicinity.  I stayed on the ground a few minutes just to take inventory.  Scrape on the knee, hands rubbed a bit raw, dust and dirt on everything...but some one was watching out for me because the coffee cup did NOT open!!  Any way...the hazards of looking up, yeah, they won't keep me from doing so.....

Thankfulness

The other day my Mom left me a message to call her on her cell because she wanted to "talk to ya".....words my Mom does NOT use unless she is trying to hide something!! lol...Any way, I am really thankful that my Brother James is O.K. and out of the hospital and that his blood test results are looking better!!  I had been reading Michael Pollans book In Defense of Food and had been thinking that my brother should read it and apply some of the messages there to his diet.  So many people in the U.S. have diabetes and all the problems that go along with it!!   If we all just Ate Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants we would all be healthier....

That said, I am going OFF the "meal plan" here to cook/make/buy my own food.  I talked to many people and also, this week with all the tourists, it has been very hard to find the time to get to the restaurant, wait in line, eat and get to work.  It is not pleasant, and eating should be a pleasant experience.  Also some one reminded me that the food here is "vacation food" and we shouldn't eat it every day.   So MOM and DAD, don't worry!! I have fed my self before.  And LAURA and HAILE, don't worry, I promise to eat better that just cereal for dinner.  :)

Fool Moon

Took a late night stroll with the roommate last night.  There is a phenomenon called a Moonbow that happens at Yosemite Falls on the full moon.  While the full moon doesn't happen until Sunday there is still a chance to see a Moonbow right before and after it.  Being Young and Restless and Free, I asked Marina if she wanted to walk to the falls at around 10pm.  There is a nice path (asphalt) that takes you to a meadow with another path through it.  You can sit (or lay down as in my case) directly across from the Falls.  We did not see a Moonbow, but the Yosemite Falls, as well as the granite cliffs around it were lit up by the Moon.  It was quite stunning!! I wish my camera could have captured the beauty!!  I was able to take a shot of the moon with the trees and cliffs in shadow.........also, the other picture is of the Huff Employee Housing area where I live.  Of course this is just one small section of it......

Conundrum...

I think I lost my "Meal Card" last night, or I left it at work....I am not sure it really matters though because I couldn't use it twice yesterday anyway!!  Being on the Meal Plan is all well and good when you are in classes for 5 - 6 hours during the daytime, but now that my job has started, and I work nights, I am having a hard time actually eating at the various places that take the Card.  I have no problem getting to breakfast at the Curry Village Buffet, which runs 7am-10am.  It's close to home, has plenty of coffee and food options.  After breakfast all bets are off!!  I have tried 2 different days to get to the Lodge Buffet for lunch, but it's the farthest from home, and if I don't leave early enough, I have to abandon the idea and go to work.  There is a lunch place near The Village, but I CAN NOT eat there again already!!  How many Veggie burgers or Salmon burgers can one eat???  Dinner is even harder...my options are The Loft for pizza (and I heard they have salads), or try to head over to the Lodge for buffet.  All this will get trickier as more visitors come into the park....

So my dilemma is: Does a girl who doesn't really like to cook get OFF the "Meal Plan" and attempt to cook and/or buy ready made items??  I have asked many "Long Timers" here, and they all say YES, drop the plan.  It's CHEAP (about $2.50 a meal),  but I guess cheaper isn't always better....what say you???
  (photo: I live near 13b...I work near 2)

Bike Frozen to car roof...

First REAL day On The Job

Today, I clocked in at the Valley Market here in Yosemite.  I had to be there at 8am, and for those that know me, it was no easy feat.  Maybe due to the late night Beer Pong game going on next door?? ;)
I did well.  I mean, I've done it all before, so I really wasn't nervous!  I think one of the best things this company, DNC, does is to allow you to acclimate for a week with classes.  I only had to work until 2pm and with a 15 minute break and a 1/2 hour lunch, it was CAKE!  I rang up a ton of stuff and made instant friends with all the guests....what else is new??  I work 8 hour shifts the rest of the week...NIGHTS!!
I also finally took the bike off the top off the car.  It has been on top since I left SanFrancisco on the 2nd.  I rode it around a bit through the parking lot and have a lot a small trips ahead of me before I can actually ride it to work.  My lungs are NOT quite happy about it...:)
It was sunny and warm today and I hope there will be NO MORE SNOW!!

Snowy Yosemite Valley

View from the Shuttle bus around 6pm last night...

Blizzard anyone??

On Thursday the snow started.  I was up earlyish (8:30), showered and went to breakfast.  I am on the "meal plan" so I eat 3  meals a day.  It's a great deal because it works out to about $2.50 a meal.  I am trying hard to be vegetarian, buuuuuut..............
I met my roommate after breakfast and we decided to take a walk over to the Ahwahnee Hotel.  It's about a 2 1/2 mile hike from "home".  Well the winds picked up and before we knew it, we were walking through a veritable blizzard!!  We were well crystalized by the time we got there.  Except for the front on my legs and my cheeks I was warm enough.  It was an amazing experience!!  One of many I know I will have while I work here...

Photos of My Home

Lucky number 11

So...Here I am......

Today is Wednesday...I have lived here in the Park for 3 days now....I have slept a couple of good hours in that time...lol.....I have walked many miles already.....I have attended 6 different classes and I have 1 more class to go on Friday.  Tomorrow I have the day off and hope to get some cleaning done in the Tent I share with a (girl) from Oregon.  She is 22 and never heard of Yosemite (?!) until she applied online.  She is interesting and stubborn and determined....hmmmmmm sounds like some one I know!! :)
There are so many wonderful people living here!  Every one is NICE!!  Like the guy Sean, who is at this very moment allowing me to use his power cord for my computer.  He said it's "Good for Karma Points"....or the woman who gave me a broom to keep in my Tent and has found me a rug to put down in it as well......
There is still snow on the ground and we are set to get more tomorrow.  Only a few inches they say!!
Also, apparently the U.S. Government may not balance the budget! And if that happens, I may not work, but will still live in the Park until the Government is up and running again...Sooooooo guess which outcome I am hoping for...;) ?????

Here I am again, on my own...

Paperwork all done....meal plan set......tent cabin cozy!!  My computer however is temporarily out of commission until I get another power cord!!  So no photos just yet, but I have taken them.  Be sure to check out my other blog "Photographic Evidence".....you can access it through my profile here....just click on my profile picture and it will take to my Profile where you have the choice of which Blog you want to read...:)  I should have the computer prob fixed asap with loving help from Mom, Dad, and James!!!  Talk soon....