Between a Rock and a Hot Place...to go or not to go.

[rmaynard 16,549]

My wife and I have had our vacation planned for over a year now. We are scheduled to leave Tuesday morning for California to visit Yosemite National Park. But here is the dilemma. Yosemite it on fire. Not the whole park, but a portion to the north and west.

As of yesterday, the scenic Yosemite valley was fine, with no smoke or visibility problems, however as of today, the smoke from the fire had settled into the valley, obscuring views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. We have passed the cut-off point where we can cancel hotels and other bookings without penalty. I can deal with a little smoke, but the wife has asthma and smoke does not treat her kindly.

 

So the folks at the lodge tell me that it is possible that the smoke will move out because the prevailing winds over the next 3 days are southwesterly, but we are dealing with weather. Knowing how unpredictable it can be, are odds don't look good. It's a LOT of money down the drain if we get there and can't see anything, or if we cancel, it's a lot of money for nothing.

 

So what do you think? Should we scrap the whole thing and hope to get some of our money back due to the extenuating circumstances, or do we go ahead to California and hope for the best?

Edited September 1, 2013 by rmaynard

[oldblue1993 98]

Man thats a tough one, all I can say is I hope all works out for you "I don't know what I would do"  good luck with everything

[KC9KAS 4,744]

Go ahead and take a chance....Columbus did.

 

Go for it....It is probably a once in a lifetime trip.

[AMC RULES 37,225]

Good, bad, or ugly...life is always an adventure, go make some memories...

maybe pick up a respirator for Mrs. Bob along the way though.       

[rmaynard 16,549]

But Columbus was using the money of the Queen of Spain if I remember correctly.

Good, bad, or ugly...life is always an adventure, go make some memories...

maybe pick up a respirator for Mrs. Bob along the way though.       

I may just pack my paint respirator in the carry-on.

[Martin 2,133]

bob, just mentioned this to jeanine and she said you guys should still make the trip. just go, and make the best of what you come across. if you get to see what you really want, then thats just a bonus. you will still be making memories even though they may be not exactly the way you want them to be.......

who knows, the weather might just make it even better than you thought......

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,586]

I think the devise for the Mrs. is a good idea and go for it. 

[rmaynard 16,549]

I now have access to several web cams within the park. I will check them again tomorrow and make my decision based upon the level of smoke present in the valley, and the wind direction forecast for the next couple of days. The fire is still over 40 miles from the main part of the park, and it looks like the wind is predicted to be coming from the southwest. That would move the smoke away, but things do change rapidly.

 

...to be continued

[Shuboxlover 481]

My wife and I went to Yosemite 10 years ago....I would go and chance it if it were me, it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!  If it turns out that your can't get many places due to the fire, then take the trip to San Francisco, granted it's180 degrees from the peace of Yosemite, but PLENTY of stuff to do, and it is really romantic in it's own way.  If you want some suggestions of things to do in San Fran, PM me....I've been there about a dozen times for work, and then once with the wife.

 

Good luck with the trip and please post pics here when you get back!!

[papaglide 542]

Go and make the best of it. Anything more than the basics and its gravy. It will work out for you.

[stevasaurus 23,448]

I think they were saying it is 45% contained this morning Bob.

[Buzz 502]

Well since you have already paid for your airfare and booked your rental car I'd go for it. If when you get there the smoke is to bad to stay in the park, get in your rental car and go somewhere else. See the redwoods, the sequoias, San Francisco, Napa Valley, etc. A lot to see in that state. If you were staying in Yosemite, showed up, and found that the smoke was so bad that you couldn't stay, they SHOULD refund your money. My 2 cents, and in today's economy, it's worth a lot less.

[rmaynard 16,549]

My wife and I went to Yosemite 10 years ago....I would go and chance it if it were me, it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!  If it turns out that your can't get many places due to the fire, then take the trip to San Francisco, granted it's180 degrees from the peace of Yosemite, but PLENTY of stuff to do, and it is really romantic in it's own way.  If you want some suggestions of things to do in San Fran, PM me....I've been there about a dozen times for work, and then once with the wife.

 

Good luck with the trip and please post pics here when you get back!!

Thanks for the tip. San Fran is our airport that we are flying into and out of. Been there about 5 years ago. Love the place. Only thing that we have reservations for in SF is the Cliff House Restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Been to Alcatraz, rode the cable cars and ate at Fisherman Wharf. Ghirardelli square is a tasty place, Drove up to Reyes Point and Muir Woods, then drove down to Monterrey and Pebble Beach golf course. 

[dclarke 4,098]

Sounds like a nice trip Bob, I'd say go for it. Be sure to wave when you go over.

[rmaynard 16,549]

It's a go. Leaving Baltimore at 9:50AM tomorrow.

[stevasaurus 23,448]

California Here I come...don't forget to wear some flowers in your hair.  If I ever went to the Napa Valley...I don't think I would ever come back.  Like Denny said...wave when you go over...safe trip Mate.

[JimD 3,347]

Safe travels Bob.

[rmaynard 16,549]

Thanks guys. I will try to keep in touch via Tapatalk when I have access.

[Shuboxlover 481]

 

My wife and I went to Yosemite 10 years ago....I would go and chance it if it were me, it is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!  If it turns out that your can't get many places due to the fire, then take the trip to San Francisco, granted it's180 degrees from the peace of Yosemite, but PLENTY of stuff to do, and it is really romantic in it's own way.  If you want some suggestions of things to do in San Fran, PM me....I've been there about a dozen times for work, and then once with the wife.

 

Good luck with the trip and please post pics here when you get back!!

Thanks for the tip. San Fran is our airport that we are flying into and out of. Been there about 5 years ago. Love the place. Only thing that we have reservations for in SF is the Cliff House Restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Been to Alcatraz, rode the cable cars and ate at Fisherman Wharf. Ghirardelli square is a tasty place, Drove up to Reyes Point and Muir Woods, then drove down to Monterrey and Pebble Beach golf course. 

 

 

Ah yes......the Cliff House....one of my wife and my Favorites!!!!  other than Scoma's on Pier 47....UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wish I was going!!!

 

Have fun

[rmaynard 16,549]

Maybe a bread bowl with clam chowder from Boudin's.

[Shuboxlover 481]

Sourdough bread, with a bowl of clam chowder (for an appetizer) then......

 

The most amazing Dungeness crab you have EVER had for the main course....and then a trip to Ghirardelli square for desert 

 

DAMN I LOVE FRISCO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[rmaynard 16,549]

Well, we made it safe and sound.

 

Here's two pics to prove I'm here. This is me standing inside of one of the giant Sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove, and another taken this afternoon in the middle of Yosemite Valley with a view of Half Dome in the background.

 

 

 

Weather is beautiful, and the views are incredible. No smoke. 

[stevebo-(Moderator) 8,586]

Life is good !!

[Shuboxlover 481]

Wish I were there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The weather looks perfect!!!!!!!!!

 

VERY happy for you!!!!!!!

[dclarke 4,098]

Glad things worked out for you, Bob. We hope to make that trip someday. Keep the pics coming.