Author Topic: Come See Yosemite, May 14-21, 2017 (Read 23913 times)

SeilerBird · « **Reply #30 on:** February 09, 2017, 04:52:18 PM »

Quote from: Tom and Margi on February 09, 2017, 04:50:33 PM

The west coast is still experiencing torrential rains and the snowpack is extremely heavy. You all should experience the falls in Yosemite at their very, very most spectacular. The Merced River will be roaring as well.

Just don't go swimming in it. It will be cold and fast.

Jan Stiskala · « **Reply #31 on:** February 09, 2017, 05:04:20 PM »

looks like we are going for the treat Tom and Margi.

Don and Mary Ann I am looking for great time with you two as always. It is so nice to see old friends this year again. Yey.

Steve N Dee · « **Reply #32 on:** February 12, 2017, 04:02:25 PM »

Quote from: gmsboss1 on February 09, 2017, 04:41:36 PM

Despite an earlier post indicating that we would not be able to make this rally, Mary Ann called today and made reservations for us from May 12 to May 19. Just couldn't stay away!

We need to leave on the 19th in order to be in West Yellowstone on May 21 so we can start work at the Grizzly RV park on the 22nd.

Look forward to seeing you all and joining in on the fun!

Don and Mary Ann

So glad you will be joining us, Don & Mary Ann. I'll add your name to our list. I was so disappointed we didn't see you at Grizzly last spring, but we can catch up in Yosemite. Glad to have you on board.

Steve

Tom and Margi · « **Reply #33 on:** February 12, 2017, 05:19:21 PM »

Quote from: SeilerBird on February 09, 2017, 04:52:18 PM

Just don't go swimming in it. It will be cold and fast.

Seiler is absolutely right. This is a very swift, cold, dangerous river in a normal spring. Could be deadly this spring.

UTTransplant · « **Reply #34 on:** February 12, 2017, 05:26:03 PM »

We are planning on bringing our canoe, but not for the river! There are some nice reservoirs and lakes not too far away, or so friends tell me. We will just have to hope the water is warm enough to safely paddle in. We will probably spend another couple of weeks in the area before heading back to Utah, so we have time.

BoomerD · « **Reply #35 on:** March 11, 2017, 11:43:08 PM »

We kicked it around, but the timing just doesn't work for us. We have to be about 100 miles away from Yosemite the first of June when our oldest grandson graduates high school...but because of other things in life, we can't hang around for 2 weeks after the rally.
Sorry, folks...maybe another time.

Jan Stiskala · « **Reply #36 on:** March 12, 2017, 05:35:51 PM »

Not that long to go. Olga and me have flight from Sydney booked. We are looking forward to see our old and new friends from forum. I am packing full suitcase of wine from Australia, just to make sure that we have the right stuff for happy hours.

zmotorsports · « **Reply #37 on:** March 13, 2017, 01:13:17 PM »

Quote from: Jan Stiskala on March 12, 2017, 05:35:51 PM

Not that long to go. Olga and me have flight from Sydney booked. We are looking forward to see our old and new friends from forum. I am packing full suitcase of wine from Australia, just to make sure that we have the right stuff for happy hours.

Jan, Chrystal and I are going to miss seeing you and Olga this year. We hope you have a safe trip and enjoy your travels this year.

Mike.

Jan Stiskala · « **Reply #38 on:** March 13, 2017, 10:23:10 PM »

Quote from: zmotorsports on March 13, 2017, 01:13:17 PM

Jan, Chrystal and I are going to miss seeing you and Olga this year. We hope you have a safe trip and enjoy your travels this year.

Mike.

Maybe we can have some mini rally close to your place Mike.

zmotorsports · « **Reply #39 on:** March 14, 2017, 08:06:29 AM »

Quote from: Jan Stiskala on March 13, 2017, 10:23:10 PM

Maybe we can have some mini rally close to your place Mike.

Sounds like a plan Jan. We hope to have our shop done by June and we get our coach back from paint sometime in June and we will be able to travel again so we will have to plan a mini-rally sometime after that.

Safe travels my friend.

Mike.

Steve N Dee · « **Reply #40 on:** March 20, 2017, 09:48:19 PM »

Here is the latest update on our attendees list. We will miss those who cannot make it.

YOSEMITE ATTENDEE LIST

LAST NAME FIRST SPOUSE/PARTNER RV FORUM HANDLE HOME

Brewer Terry Betty Betty Brewer Arizona/Idaho

Falchini Steve Dee Steve N Dee California

Flexitdriver Allen Suzanne Flexitdriver Australia

Kuch Ken Sheila Ken & Sheila Arizona/South Dakota

Moloci Jim Jo Jomo Michigan

Nesbitt Don Mary Ann gmsboss1 North Carolina

Roscoe Bill Corinne Photog California

Stalnaker Kevin Pam UTTransplant Utah

Stiskala Jan Olga Jan Stiskala Australia

Less than 2 months now and our CA winter has been incredible, which will translate into a spectacular experience in Yosemite!

Old_Crow · « **Reply #41 on:** March 21, 2017, 06:34:07 AM »

I have 2 sons who are working at Yosemite. One for the NPS, one for the concessionaire. I've been getting some beautiful snow and waterfall pictures on my Facebook feed this winter. Ya'll have fun, I'll be at the Grand Canyon.

Steve N Dee · « **Reply #42 on:** March 30, 2017, 11:17:53 PM »

ATTENTION ALL ATTENDEES

I have become aware that there has been a road collapse on Big Oak Flat Road leading from our RV park into Yosemite Valley. There is no estimate on when the road might be open, but it doesn't seem promising. As a result, I have located an alternate RV park to move our rally to. It is located near CA SR 41, which is the south entrance to the park. It will be about a 30 minute drive to the south gate and then another 30 minutes into Yosemite Valley. I have spoken to a client who lives near the park and she says it's a nice park. They do have at least nine sites available with full hook ups at a weekly rate of approximately $ 40.00 per night. I have not made any firm arrangements with them because I wanted to be sure we would all be willing to make the move. The park is about 75 miles south of the previous park, so it's not a great distance different either way. If I can get a positive response from all or most of you, I will make arrangements with them and post the new contact info here. Please reply a.s.a.p.

Thanks,

Steve

gmsboss1 · « **Reply #43 on:** March 31, 2017, 08:06:19 AM »

Thanks for all your efforts on this. Go for it!

Photog · « **Reply #44 on:** March 31, 2017, 09:44:45 AM »

Steve - we are in. Let us know which park.

Betty Brewer · « **Reply #45 on:** March 31, 2017, 09:56:50 AM »

~~We will follow you, no matter where you may go! Brewer's are in!~~

Edit.... I just read RV Park Review for the suggested move and for our "Queen Mary" the branches and tight turns don't look so good.

So no firm decision yet from us .

UTTransplant · « **Reply #46 on:** March 31, 2017, 11:11:01 AM »

We are willing to move if we have to. Looking at AllStays, one park towards the south has poor reviews and the other has good reviews. Hope we get the good one!

flexitdriver · « **Reply #47 on:** March 31, 2017, 11:05:21 PM »

We are happy to go wherever.

It's the friends that make a rally, not the RV park?
Only 27 more sleeps 'til we depart from Australia.

UTTransplant · « **Reply #48 on:** April 02, 2017, 12:55:08 PM »

Steve and Dee: When will you know about moving or canceling? We have already made some fee reservations before the trip we can't get back completely, and we were going to make more for after. Things are filling up though, and we need to know timing. I know this whole thing isn't your fault, but maybe we should just move the rally to next year.

dblocker · « **Reply #49 on:** April 02, 2017, 09:33:51 PM »

Steve N Dee

Have been eavesdropping on your thread and I have a question. We have planned to stay in a
Thousand Trails park in mid July about 15 miles west of where you were going to stay. Can you tell me where I
might get more info on the road collapse you spoke of. We are about two months later so it may be repaired. By the way we will be at Grizzly in West Yellowstone May 26. Will try to look you up.

Dee

Ken & Sheila · « **Reply #50 on:** April 02, 2017, 10:06:07 PM »

Quote from: dblocker on April 02, 2017, 09:33:51 PM

Steve N Dee

Have been eavesdropping on your thread and I have a question. We have planned to stay in a
Thousand Trails park in mid July about 15 miles west of where you were going to stay. Can you tell me where I
might get more info on the road collapse you spoke of. We are about two months later so it may be repaired. By the way we will be at Grizzly in West Yellowstone May 26. Will try to look you up.

Dee

See HERE

Lou Schneider · « **Reply #51 on:** April 02, 2017, 10:11:26 PM »

More info Here

Steve N Dee · « **Reply #52 on:** April 03, 2017, 01:36:50 AM »

Quote from: UTTransplant on April 02, 2017, 12:55:08 PM

Steve and Dee: When will you know about moving or canceling? We have already made some fee reservations before the trip we can't get back completely, and we were going to make more for after. Things are filling up though, and we need to know timing. I know this whole thing isn't your fault, but maybe we should just move the rally to next year.

I spoke to someone at Yosemite today whose response was "I can't imagine the road not being open by then". But of course, that's just an opinion at this point. Our current reservation can be cancelled up to 7 days before for only a $10 fee. Even if we move the rally to another park, that park wouldn't be more than 75 miles from our current park. Therefore, I wouldn't expect it should change any of your before or after plans. I did find a park with sites available but it doesn't have great reviews. I am actually sending someone to that new park to check it out and report to me with pictures. To top it off, I am a tax accountant and the time of year is making it extremely difficult for me to deal with this. As a last resort, we can always stay at our current park and just make a long drive in to the park by a different entrance. It's about a 2 hour detour. Long, but not impossible. Trying to keep all options open at this point. Hope this helps with your planning.

Steve

Ken & Sheila · « **Reply #53 on:** April 03, 2017, 10:27:48 AM »

Steve, I looked at pictures of the slide. While they have to clear the road and fix damage to the road surface, its not the Rt 89 to Page in Arizona where the road base was destroyed and took a long time to first engineer and then construct. From what I've found they are currently working on adding drainage converts.
I don't think we will have a problem with staying at Yosemite Pines.

ken

UTTransplant · « **Reply #54 on:** April 03, 2017, 01:12:59 PM »

Thanks for the info. We won't make any changes now, but if the road isn't open by 7 days ahead, we will cancel. I don't quite understand whether the "2 hour detour" is one way or round trip, but it is more than we are willing to deal with. If we cancel, we won't be coming to California at all which is why this is a bigger deal for us than it is for you (1700 mile round trip). We might have to end up in Yellowstone instead (such a sacrifice!).

If anyone does Facebook, there is a group called "Yosemite Incident Feed" with pictures and news about the problem. It has frequent updates. You have to join the group to see everything, but it doesn't require moderator approval.

Steve N Dee · « **Reply #55 on:** April 09, 2017, 01:42:33 PM »

Here is the latest update. I think our patience will pay off. The Yosemite incident report has not given an estimated opening date yet for the road closure, however, they have said that 2 to 3 weeks seems likely. That will suit us just fine as we have 5 weeks from today before our rally begins. That's plenty of time with a lot of cushion for unexpected delays. A big thank you to Ken and Betty for the updates during my busy time, I truly appreciate it! Looking forward to seeing all of you next month. I am sure there are probably still sites available for anyone interested in climbing on board!

Steve

Ken & Sheila · « **Reply #56 on:** April 09, 2017, 03:44:40 PM »

Sorry posted deleted as it was bad info.
ken
But I read the blog and it sounds like good progress.

jsetti · « **Reply #57 on:** April 10, 2017, 09:29:32 AM »

We are currently in Yosemite and will be here for the entire summer as we are volunteering with the Law Enforcement and Search and Rescue groups.

It looks like 120 will be open by the time your group arrives but ... no guarantee. Also be aware there are a lot of construction projects going on right now that has caused detours throughout the park causing traffic delays. They anticipate these projects might not be competed before Memorial Day. So ... patience will be needed as getting around may be slow but definitely worth the wait. Here's a link to the road work being done. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/roadwork.htm

We had more snow two days ago causing frazil ice (a sight to see!) in the streams below the waterfalls which are spectacular now and are only going to be better when you all arrive as all that snow melts.

Will keep track of your plans. You're going to have a great time!

UTTransplant · « **Reply #58 on:** April 18, 2017, 09:11:26 PM »

Latest status from NPS. No date yet, but progress is being made.

https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/yosemite-national-park-continues-to-repair-big-oak-flat-road-418.htm

jsetti · « **Reply #59 on:** April 19, 2017, 09:20:09 AM »

We have had a lot of rain over the past couple of weeks which is inhibiting the progress. Obviously they would like to open this road ASAP and are working as fast as they can. Keep checking for updates. If I hear anything specific about an opening date estimate I will post it here.

News:

Author Topic: Come See Yosemite, May 14-21, 2017 (Read 23913 times)