Briefcase Excursions - The Bar Association of San Francisco

Pam Ellis and Peggy Edwards
BRIEFCASE
EXCURSIONS
Briefcase Excursions are quick explorations of out-of-the-ordinary areas
near cities you might travel to for business. Designed to cover the highlights,
they present interesting activities and provide lodging and dining
suggestions that are worthy of note.
I
magine feeling as if you have Yosemite National
Park to yourself. There’s not much chance of
that most of the year when traffic is difficult
and reservations often hard to secure. Even
the winter holidays draw crowds for the Ahwahnee
Hotel’s
renowned
Bracebridge
Dinner
and
Christmas pageant.
the people in front of you to negotiate a step or a turn.
If you’ve marveled at Yosemite Falls when the water
gushes down the cliffs, observe it in the winter when
the upper fall freezes before it reaches the middle fall
and forms an ice cone at the base. Hear the thunder
when the cone reaches a tipping point and the ice
crashes down.
But visit this magic place in the quiet winter months
when few others venture to this getaway and you’ll
be rewarded with the sights and sounds of a different
world. In the months of December through March,
when the park attracts just over 10 percent of annual
visitors, enjoy the iconic vistas without waiting in line
for cars to pull away or for people to move so you can
photograph the scenes. Take the walking paths in Yosemite Valley at your own pace, without stopping for
Heading east on Glacier Point Road from the south
entrance, duck into the parking lot at Tunnel View and
enjoy the postcard scene of Yosemite Valley. In winter,
the famous monoliths of El Capitan and Half Dome
rise out of the mist and fog. On bright days, the blue
sky seems even more intense in contrast with the snow.
Beautiful pictures are everywhere just waiting for your
finger to trigger the shutter. Look into the frozen lakes
THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO ATTORNEY 51
“
In winter, the famous monoliths of
El Capitan and Half Dome rise out
of the mists and fog. On bright days,
the blue sky seems even more intense
in contrast with the snow.
”
52SUMMER
WINTER 2011
52
2011
and see reflections of the trees and snow-capped mountains. Park at any roadside pullout and frame a picture
of the icicles frozen on the rocks. Catch the giggling
faces of the children sledding down small snow-covered hills. Look for wildlife including the chubby coyotes that have feasted on rabbits too lethargic to move
quickly enough in the cold weather.
In addition to the sights, winter activities abound.
Choose from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at
several locations, downhill skiing at Badger Pass, or iceskating at the outdoor rink in Curry Village. At Tenaya
Lodge, at the park’s south entrance, you will find another ice rink and racks of cross-country skis and shoe
shoes. The lodge also offers horse-drawn sleigh rides
through the surrounding woods and meadows. And
just picture yourself curled up with a good book and a
hot drink in front of the roaring fireplace in the main
lobby or in many other nooks throughout the hotel.
On winter weekdays and after the holidays, you can relish the magnificent Ahwahnee Hotel without the crush
of tourists in the public spaces. You can probably even
snag a table in the beautiful dining nook, overlooking
the snow-covered field and surrounded by the towering
peaks. Through the fall and into the holiday season,
there are a number of signature events, most famously
the Bracebridge Dinner, held throughout December
(www.yosemitepark.com).
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls and Curry Village are less
expensive options for lodging and meals. Both are open
during the winter months and are located in Yosemite
Village near the Visitor Center.
Although Yosemite Valley is accessible by car all
year, there are cautions to this winter excursion.
Only the main roads in the park are open in the
winter. Having tire chains and knowing how to use
Tenaya Lodge and racks of cross-country skis and snow shoes
THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO SAN FRANCISCO ATTORNEY 53
them are mandatory—park rangers will require visual proof
that you are carrying them. Inclement weather can pop up
at any time, so be prepared before coming into the park
in these months. For current conditions and facilities
status, check the National Park Service’s website:
www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm.
Despite the cold weather and sometimes-difficult driving conditions, experiencing Yosemite National Park in
the winter is well worth any inconveniences. Bundle up,
charge your camera batteries, pack a couple of good
books, and prepare to enjoy solitude and scenery—both in
large measure.
Business partners Pam Ellis and Peggy Edwards developed
Briefcase Excursions after too many airport to hotel to conference center to hotel to airport trips. They decided to break the
cycle and add a day or two of exploring for their mental and
physical well being.
You can enjoy Yosemite this winter during the Labor and
Employment Law Section’s Annual Yosemite Conference,
February 24–25, 2012. Conference informaton is available
at www.sfbar.org/calendar.
Yosemite Falls
Photos by Pam Ellis and Peggy Edwards
“
54 WINTER 2011
Look for wildlife including
the chubby coyotes that have
feasted on rabbits too lethargic
to move quickly enough in
the cold weather.
”