Hello Groveland, CA
Hello Beautiful Souls!
I’ve been in Yosemite one week and I wish you were here to share in my happy dances!
Yosemite is beautiful, I’m working with amazing people, and I already feel confident in my position. That’s a great first week if you ask me.
Today I’m off from the entrance station, so I made my way down to town. It was the first time I had a chance to explore it, though I did drive through with MC (my RV, “Moving Castle”). However, during that drive, I was more focused on momentum than local attractions.
Groveland is a super cute town. The market is small and homey, a place where the community shops. The post office, had some wonderful and helpful people to help me get a post office box. So I now have an address! (Message me if you would like me to share it with you.)
I met this stellar gal who spent a year in Antarctica and talked about the drastic difference between the winter and summer. And I thought Seattle was bad! Antarctica is a whole different level of extreme light variance.
Then on my way out of town I stopped by the library. One of my favorite things to do is get books and videos from the library. I felt my kindergarten energy bubble up as I asked the librarian, a sweet older lady, about getting a library card. She did a little dance, making her white sweater sparkle in the light, as she went straight for the form to fill out for a card, “I always love issuing new cards,” she said.
I checked out a poetry book of Emily Dickenson, a small book on the geology of Yosemite. I also found two movies that called to me: My Fair Lady and The Sound of Music. It seems that this week will consist of some musicals after work.
I felt content as I walked out of the library.
In the same building on the opposite side was a town museum that featured families that have lived here through the years. I enjoyed the time pieces in the building, each family got a case to fill up. It took me back to Pipe Spring days and how we set up Winsor Castle to show the style of the era. It was very interesting and I thanked the ladies as I left.
Oh, the thing that stood out most to me was the Grizzly Bear case. I’ve heard mixed things about Grizzly Bears in Yosemite. I found out the answer. There are not currently and Grizzly bears in this area, but there once were. Even as early as 1850s, which really is only a hundred and seventy some odd years ago. That’s a big difference in an entire population of animals in just a few generations. Now the only Grizzly Bears in the contentential United States is in the upper Washington, Idaho, Montana regions, and around Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
It was a fabulous day.
I walked around the park and youth area while I was there. A brightly colored playground stood out in the landscape. However, to the disappointment of my Z, there were no swings for when she comes to visit. There is a skate park though, which is pretty cool, and a basketball court. It’s a nice place to come and have a picnic and spend some time. I am thankful for this small town that I now call home.
I found this little stream behind the Youth Community Center with a bridge going over it. I always enjoy stopping and listening to the sound of water flowing over rocks. There’s something soothing to it.
On my way back up to the park, I stopped at a RV resort in Buck Meadows, a small town between Groveland and the entrance. I didn’t see anyone around, so I drove around the property. That got someone out. A very nice couple of someones actually. I talked with them about the possibility of a long term spot for rent and I may have some luck. If they email me the information. Still waiting.
I decided to not go by Yosemite Lakes yet, which is the Thousand Trails location that I am a member. I figure I will spend some time in there at some point, and I know how their system works. So I want to see what Yosemite Ridge has to say before I go over to Yosemite Lakes. Oh, a life of logistics.
I stopped by the Yosemite sign on the way back into the park. It was nice, but also dangerous because it’s in the shade and the ground is still covered with ice. I found a melted path and snapped my photos, happy with my decision to come to Yosemite.
On my way back to the car, a gal rolled down her window and asked if I didn’t have a reservation either. I told her no, I work for the park, and then asked her if she had a question. She did and we had a great talk. It feels good to serve, even when I am not on the clock, I appreciate the people who come here and enjoy conversation. I know not everyone does, but I do. I feel I am made for this.
I saw my very first Yosemite Deer Friends!
They walked right across Hwy 120, just like they did on Upper Hoh Rd. It made me do a little dance right there in the parking lot to see the deer. I’ve missed seeing the wildlife. Today was a great treat.
It was busy when I went through the entrance. The line of cars that I followed being stopped by construction on the road was part of that though. I laugh to myself because I had the same issue at Olympic, and for a while on highway 389 in Arizona. So the moral is, wherever there are roads, there is road construction. LOL
It felt good to come back home. It is beginning to feel more comfortable. I am settling in slowly. It feels good.
The bestest news is that Evie, my “beater with a heater” 2003 Toyota Echo, did pretty well on the mountain roads! It helps that they are highway roads so she doesn’t get to a low speed. And when I get behind trailers because they are weighed down and go a little slow too. Many of those tend to turn into the Yosemite Lakes RV resort though.
Anyway, now I’m rambling. That means the story is finished.
What did we learn today?
Groveland is a town with a lot of proud history.
Grizzly Bears were in this area, but aren’t anymore (thankfully, I’ll take black bears anyday!)
Evie is the best car ever and I love her unique soul.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, find some balance between work and play, okay!
Peace and love,
