Day 7: Tour 153331833, 7-day California Edventure
Friday, June 17, 2011 (Last Day) Yosemite & Drive Home Today we load up from Curry Village and drive home from Yosemite via Route 41. We anticipate an arrival time of 7:00 pm. A small group of us took time this morning to watch a 2-man skit about Bear etiquette. As we say “Goodbye” to Curry Village and the rest of Yosemite we remember all the amazing sights the valley had to...
Day 6: Tour 153331833, 7-day California Edventure
Thursday, June 16, 2011 Yosemite National Park (2nd full day) Everyone took advantage of the last full day in Yosemite doing a variety of activities: hiking, biking, horseback riding, resting, reading, shopping, watching a performance, and of course… eating. Our final group meal was a fine dining experience in the Yosemite Lodge Mountain...
Day 5: Tour 153331833, 7-day California Edventure
Wednesday, June 15, 2011 Yosemite National Park This morning we took a 2-hour Valley Floor Tour on an open-air bus (no roof). As our guide often reminded us, with the recent snow and rainfall, we have an unusually high number of waterfalls and breathtaking views. The words “amazing”, “awe-inspiring”, “awesome”, and “wow” were used often to help describe what we were seeing. Later in the evening, a group of was walked up near the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. The wind caused by falls was terrific. A little before 10pm, a unique sight… a “fallbow” (a rainbow in a waterfall, made visible by the full moon). This was especially unique in that the falls are much larger than...
Day 4: Tour 153331833, 7-day California Edventure
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 (Flag Day) Sacramento (State Capitol), Chaw’se Indian Grinding Rock State Park, Columbia State Park, & Yosemite National Park Our day began with a tour of Capitol grounds (California Vietnam War Memorial), with a personal tour of both the floors of the Senate and Assembly by California State Senator Joel Anderson (R-CA Dist. 36). We did a rubbing of the California Native American Seal outside the front steps of the Capitol! Our next stop was Chaw’se Indian Grinding Rock State Park in Pine Grove. Following a short stop at Columbia State Park (Gold Rush town where some dipped candles or panned for Gold – Eureka!), we finally arrived at the “Gem of the Sierra Nevadas” – Yosemite. We saw some breathtaking sights already and so much more to come. We have a Valley Floor Tour scheduled for the morning. We are looking forward to even more amazing...
Day 3: Tour 153331833, 7-day California Edventure
Monday, June 13, 2011 Grindstone Rancheria Reservation & Sacramento Our time at the reservation was a great experience. We started our time together playing games which allowed the kids from both tribes to intermix and just “be kids”. We had the experience of witnessing and some ways taking part in a Roundhouse Ceremony. Afterwards, we walked down to the river for some heat-relief and fun. Before leaving the Grindstone Indian Rancheria near Stony Creek in Glen County (about 110 miles NW of Sacramento), we walked near the top of the reservation for a group photo. What a GREAT day! Standing in front of the Pony Express Statue in Old Town Sacramento. We were invited to a pre-dinner dessert from a Pechanga Tribal Member (owner of Sacramento-based “Mighty Kong Cafe'”. Following delicious Apple Pie and a variety of shakes, owner “King Smith” gave us a personal behind-the-scenes tour of his restaurant. Please be sure to visit if you’re ever up in the Sacramento area. (Mighty Kong Cafe, 3701 Stockton Blvd., Sacramento)...
Day 2: Tour 153331833, 7-day California Edventure
Sunday, June 12, 2011 SAN FRANCISCO & JELLY BELLY FACTORY Our first stop of the day, following breakfast at IHop… our boat ride out to ALCATRAZ. Our “sentence” on Alcatraz was brief but memorable. After lunch on Pier 39, we explored the San Francisco Exploratorium (a hands-on Science Museum, which features the area of...