"I agree about Camp Curry- that's where Pete & I stayed last time we went and it was very affordable and a lot of fun- nice to have a pub within walking distance, too- haha."
"We actually thought the tents would be more rustic than they were- we got there after dark and were fumbling around with flashlights for half an hour, only to find a long cord hanging from the ceiling... and voila! Lights, cots made up with bedding, and even a little dresser thing!"
"The noises we heard in the night were either wild animals or wild college students (I'm assuming most were the latter) and a small creature got into the locked metal "food safe" outside the tent and ate my leftover Halloween candy, wrappers and all, but it made for a really fun adventure!"
"Can't wait for the reunion!"
February 26, 2011
#7 Post - OK now we are 'rollin'
We are starting to get a nice group size of people who at least HOPE to go the Yosemite this early September 2011 and meet with family members. I really had no idea if this was going to actually happen, but now more than a few of us are hopeful it'll come together.
Please be sure you are sharing the blog and facebook link with family: Sisters, brothers, Uncles, Aunts, cousins, "steps", "halfs", even causal acquaintances who feel like family, if you are so moved. Check the blog every week or so to see what's new...OR, you could become a blog follower and get notices everytime someone leaves a post or comment.
And YOUR comments are welcome. Of course they are.
Please be sure you are sharing the blog and facebook link with family: Sisters, brothers, Uncles, Aunts, cousins, "steps", "halfs", even causal acquaintances who feel like family, if you are so moved. Check the blog every week or so to see what's new...OR, you could become a blog follower and get notices everytime someone leaves a post or comment.
And YOUR comments are welcome. Of course they are.
February 24, 2011
#6 Post - A few words on Hiking in the Valley
There are so MANY great walks/hikes in Yosemite Valley. I've done quite a few over these years of mine.
If I had more energy and maybe 4-5 hours to make the whole trip, I'd keep going up to the top of Nevada Falls, because, well... maybe I wanted to see if I could do it. It's the trail that would take the really fit hiker to the Top of Half Dome. But hey...just making it to the top of Nevada Falls fills one with a sense of accomplishment and many great vistas. Beyond Vernal Falls Bridge is probably NOT for kids under 10 though...or over 70.
I hope, dear reader, that we'll be making one of these walks together this Fall 2010.
- The hike up Yosemite Falls, shouldn't be attempted in 90+ degrees, lemme tell ya. It's a steep climb with NO water, but it has it's rewards.
- The Four Mile, from the Valley Floor to Glacier Point will get your blood pumping. It's a knee blowout waiting to happen for the 'less than fit'. Amazing vistas, though. Ride the bus either to the top or back down, based on which way you'd like to hike...top to bottom or bottom to top.
- The Mirror Pond walk is perhaps the easiest, shortest and doable for any age group
- The hike from Glacier point to the Valley Floor via the Panorama Trail is one that left me stiff as a board the day after doing it back when I was a spry 59. I LOVE this hike. Allow all day. And another to recover. It's mostly down hill and hard on the knees and hips. Poles are HIGHLY recommended even for folks in their 30's.
If I had more energy and maybe 4-5 hours to make the whole trip, I'd keep going up to the top of Nevada Falls, because, well... maybe I wanted to see if I could do it. It's the trail that would take the really fit hiker to the Top of Half Dome. But hey...just making it to the top of Nevada Falls fills one with a sense of accomplishment and many great vistas. Beyond Vernal Falls Bridge is probably NOT for kids under 10 though...or over 70.
I hope, dear reader, that we'll be making one of these walks together this Fall 2010.
February 22, 2011
#5 Post Dining options in Yosemite Valley
I'd like to provide an overview, then maybe a template, for family visiting Yosemite Valley to be together, with the idea that from time-to-time you might get HUNGRY!
There are a number of eating options in the Valley; some that don't require reservations and others that do. A general listing includes:
Curry Village - The Pavilion - Buffet style causal dinning, breakfast lunch and dinner. Located at Curry Village. Not exactly 'gourmet', but passable & affordable. Kid friendly menu. Also available in the same area is a bar, a Taqueria, Pizza Deck and small general store. It's proximate to Curry Tent Camps is a big feature. I hear it's gotten better....we'll see.
Yosemite Village Restaurants - This is a short free bus ride away (maybe a mile or so) from Curry Village. Includes a deli and cafe. It's in a cluster of shops with Grocery near by.
Mountain Room - Requires a reservation. Can have a fairly long wait. Decent food. More expensive than the other options listed above. Definitely a more adult experience. Grandfather ABC Dohrmann was mentioned on the back of the menu once; maybe still is. Located near Yosemite Lodge...a bus ride from Curry Village or the Ahwahnee.
Ahwahnee Dining Room - This choice is the most expensive. Reservations suggested, casual dress discouraged, except for breakfast and lunch. A great dining experience. There is also the option of food in the bar. More limited menu. Feature is the Grandfather appears in a photo in the bar. You can walk here from Curry Village, or take the shuttle bus.
Group Dining plans? Regarding the whole experience of having a group gathering here I might suggest (were I planning this) that the group think about dinner together on the
1st night at the Pavilion at Curry Village, because it's easy and people can wander in and out. Then the ...
2nd night's dinner might be whatever any family might want to do in whatever arrangement they might wish to make on their own. Then the ...
3rd night, which may be the last night that the group is together, might be either at the Mt. Room or the Ahwahnee.
Regardless of how the group would like to do this I might suggest a breakfast on the 2nd or 3rd day together at the Ahwahnee Hotel. It's a very special place.
If anyone wants to take a drive up to Wawona Hotel and maybe see the Big Trees Grove then maybe Wawona would make a great lunch stop on the way to the Grove, or on the way back, if you leave early enough.
Next article: some of my favorite hikes in Yosemite Valley, and a few places every visitor MUST see.
February 21, 2011
#4 The Firefall
If you're younger than me (and most everybody IS these days) you won't remember the Yosemite Firefall. It was a 'crass piece of commercialism' to promote the Valley in it's early years. And it was AMAZING. Faded out then came back, only to have it's last show in 1968, I believe. I saw the next to the last one, and many more before that.
If you stand at Camp Curry, in a clearing or the apple orchard, or the meadow near the Ahawhee Hotel and look up to Glacier Point over 1,800 feet up and you know where to look you can still see the point where the event made it's fall down the cliff to the rocks below.
Things would begin with the rangers up at Glacier Point and those down at Camp Curry hosting a sing along round the camp fire event around when the evening light was just starting to get flat. By the time it because pitch dark the camp fire above was a glowing sea of bright red embers.
Rangers from Curry would call up to Glacier with a bull horn a ceremonious age old dialog, previewing what was about to happen. On signal, the rangers at Glacier would use two large metal rakes with flat front ends to push the entire camp fire to the edge of the cliff, then off...!
Down they would come, the action of the updraft fanning the embers red hot, and making a fire-fall of flame to a ledge just above Camp Curry. Its was a sight to behold... truly amazing!
People who witnessed it still write of it here... Yosemite Firefall I've written their myself quite a few years back.
If you stand at Camp Curry, in a clearing or the apple orchard, or the meadow near the Ahawhee Hotel and look up to Glacier Point over 1,800 feet up and you know where to look you can still see the point where the event made it's fall down the cliff to the rocks below.
Things would begin with the rangers up at Glacier Point and those down at Camp Curry hosting a sing along round the camp fire event around when the evening light was just starting to get flat. By the time it because pitch dark the camp fire above was a glowing sea of bright red embers.
Rangers from Curry would call up to Glacier with a bull horn a ceremonious age old dialog, previewing what was about to happen. On signal, the rangers at Glacier would use two large metal rakes with flat front ends to push the entire camp fire to the edge of the cliff, then off...!
Down they would come, the action of the updraft fanning the embers red hot, and making a fire-fall of flame to a ledge just above Camp Curry. Its was a sight to behold... truly amazing!
People who witnessed it still write of it here... Yosemite Firefall I've written their myself quite a few years back.
#3 Post Its Beautiful there....
When I was a teenager I remember returning to Yosemite with my dad and brothers (Missy, I think you weren’t there). Though where we stayed that night is lost in time and the fog of other memories, I have one scene etched in my gray matter…often coming back to me.
We arrived on the Valley floor, in the dead of night, all of us exhausted and quick to bed down. That morning when I awoke, still sleepy I left the trees for the parking lot near the Yosemite Lodges to find my toothbrush in the trailer. I got 4 car lengths into the lot before I opened my eyes all the way and looked up. The view of the rim of the Valley took my breath away. I’d seen it a million times before and again, like a wack in the gut the sight struck left me gasping (well, almost). The point is, it’s beautiful there folks. Always has been, always will be.
February 20, 2011
#2 Post ... It'll make more sense if you read the 1st one, too...
SO I got excited and immediately put up another post just to explain a little more about how this MIGHT come off.
I've put links on the right that let you explore the rooming/lodging accommodations available right on the Valley Floor. You won't want to stay at Wawona or off the floor of the park unless you WANT to be isolated from your 'family'. Campsites aren't mentioned, but of course they may be preferred by some and plenty close by. The ideal in a reunion gathering would be if all 'Campers' stayed in the same vicinity and Curry Village works best for a large group. It's rustic, but manageable, and for those that demand it there are even cabins at Curry that have private toilets and showers...Imagine!
Yosemite lodge, and for the 'cash-flush-rustic-adverse', the Ahwahnee are there too, but again the main thing is that we get to see each other and swap family gossip... In many cases meeting for the first time.
Another post will get into eating in the valley. Some might want to do that.
I've put links on the right that let you explore the rooming/lodging accommodations available right on the Valley Floor. You won't want to stay at Wawona or off the floor of the park unless you WANT to be isolated from your 'family'. Campsites aren't mentioned, but of course they may be preferred by some and plenty close by. The ideal in a reunion gathering would be if all 'Campers' stayed in the same vicinity and Curry Village works best for a large group. It's rustic, but manageable, and for those that demand it there are even cabins at Curry that have private toilets and showers...Imagine!
Yosemite lodge, and for the 'cash-flush-rustic-adverse', the Ahwahnee are there too, but again the main thing is that we get to see each other and swap family gossip... In many cases meeting for the first time.
Another post will get into eating in the valley. Some might want to do that.
February 13, 2011
#1 Post ... Ok so just kicking this off....
This is the first in what will be a string of posts as we TRY to get the ABC Dohrmann Extended Clan into Yosemite Park for a 'reunion' in late Summer 2011. Some are aware of this adventure, others need to be told. If you consider yourself family then spread the word.
Responses to posts can be left here. Over time I'll even invite you all to add pictures and write articles of experiences in Yosemite from years past. It'll be fun to read them. I plan to tell all I know about the Dohrmanns' in Yosemite; then those that know better can correct me. But your more recent stories are just as welcome.
My major hope is to raise enthusiasm for a gathering of Dohrmann's near and far. So that the largest number can participate all you need to do is express interest. If later something comes up, no worries....you'll ALWAYS be in charge of your own destiny and reservation...when and if we get to that point.
I'm envisioning this happening some where near mid to late August, with some maybe most staying at the tent camps at Curry Village. Curry is family friendly, with up to 4 bunks in a tent, and indoor flush toilets/showers just a short walk from the tents.
Hey a LOT more about this later but for now lets get the buzz going. Facebook this site, or tweet it or just email the link or, god knows you could even call somebody to let 'em know.
See you back here soon.
Oh and look for the link to become a follower/subscriber to this site so that when new posts go up you get the word.
Mark D.
Responses to posts can be left here. Over time I'll even invite you all to add pictures and write articles of experiences in Yosemite from years past. It'll be fun to read them. I plan to tell all I know about the Dohrmanns' in Yosemite; then those that know better can correct me. But your more recent stories are just as welcome.
My major hope is to raise enthusiasm for a gathering of Dohrmann's near and far. So that the largest number can participate all you need to do is express interest. If later something comes up, no worries....you'll ALWAYS be in charge of your own destiny and reservation...when and if we get to that point.
I'm envisioning this happening some where near mid to late August, with some maybe most staying at the tent camps at Curry Village. Curry is family friendly, with up to 4 bunks in a tent, and indoor flush toilets/showers just a short walk from the tents.
Hey a LOT more about this later but for now lets get the buzz going. Facebook this site, or tweet it or just email the link or, god knows you could even call somebody to let 'em know.
See you back here soon.
Oh and look for the link to become a follower/subscriber to this site so that when new posts go up you get the word.
Mark D.
What's it all about...
So I'm building this site to communicate to family, but to a larger audience as well, how a group might gather in Yosemite Valley.
Most of all, though, I want family to find a way to plan and accomplish a gathering at, say, Curry Village that might be an ABC Dohrmann family reunion of sorts. Curry Village is a rustic experience and in keeping with what many first knew of the Park back when ABC was backing and operating the Yosemite Park Company and running into some amount of conflict with the Curry family while doing it. I suspect there are so many family stories that might be shared in a gathering in the Valley.
It's an interactive site, that friends and family might share their thoughts about a gathering, but also a place to capture memories of past visits... a sharing. Please be a follower to the site, dear family, that you might be notified when one of us leaves a thought here. I'll be the curator, but you must be the contributors.
We all wait to hear what you have to share.
Mark Dohrmann
PS: To follow just click on the follow button on the right side of the site.
Most of all, though, I want family to find a way to plan and accomplish a gathering at, say, Curry Village that might be an ABC Dohrmann family reunion of sorts. Curry Village is a rustic experience and in keeping with what many first knew of the Park back when ABC was backing and operating the Yosemite Park Company and running into some amount of conflict with the Curry family while doing it. I suspect there are so many family stories that might be shared in a gathering in the Valley.
It's an interactive site, that friends and family might share their thoughts about a gathering, but also a place to capture memories of past visits... a sharing. Please be a follower to the site, dear family, that you might be notified when one of us leaves a thought here. I'll be the curator, but you must be the contributors.
We all wait to hear what you have to share.
Mark Dohrmann
PS: To follow just click on the follow button on the right side of the site.
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