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Thanksgiving in Yosemite: Celebration in the Sierra Nevada

Program Number: 16642RJ
Start and End Dates:
11/19/2012 - 11/23/2012; 11/25/2013 - 11/29/2013;
Duration: 4 nights
Location: Oakhurst, California
Price starting at: $799.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Holidays; National Parks Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 11; 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 4 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Experience the serenity of Thanksgiving season in Yosemite. Relax, refresh and regroup before the seasonal rush in the “Queen of National Parks.” With a veteran Yosemite naturalist, study the park’s geology and the unique adaptations flora and fauna use to survive the harsh winters. After spending quiet evenings around cozy woodstove fires enveloped by the sounds of the season, return home recharged for the holidays.




Highlights

• Venture to serene and near-solitary areas of Yosemite with views of Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome and Cloud’s Rest mantled with snow.
• On the floor of the valley, enjoy lunch at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel, examining its unique architecture and basketry up close.
• Learn about Ansel Adams and other artists and the preservation of Yosemite as a National Park.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile per day; some uneven terrain. Elevations of 3,100 feet.




Date Specific Information

11-25-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Coordinated by Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst.




Oakhurst

With Yosemite National Park and the expansive Sierra Nevada just out the backdoor, Oakhurst is an active community and gateway to the region’s many natural splendors, including fine hiking trails and native wildlife.
Accommodations
Conference center on 162 forested acres with walking trails. Lodging 1,000 feet from dining hall and classrooms. Elevations of 3,100 feet.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Shirley Spencer
Shirley Spencer has lived in the Sierra Nevadas since 1979. An educator and seasonal Ranger at Yosemite National Park since 1986, she also instructs at Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Canyonland and Arches national parks. Shirley is also a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and holds a California State Teaching Credential for secondary and middle school science. In 2009, she published her book, “Flowering Shrubs of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada,” which includes 40 of her original watercolors and scientific descriptions of each plant. An avid hiker, backpacker, skier, kayaker, scuba diver and mountaineer, Shirley teaches rock climbing with her husband Mark. She is also an accomplished watercolor painter, vocalist, guitarist and organic farmer.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)
  Oakhurst, CA 4 nights
 Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)
Type: Conference Center
  Contact info: 43803 Highway 41
Oakhurst, CA 93644 USA
phone: 559-683-8162
web: www.conferencecenter.org
  Room amenities: Climate-controlled, hair dryers in lodge rooms. All rooms have private bath. Satellite TV & Wi-fi available in main lodge. No televisions or telephones in sleeping rooms to preserve the tranquility of your stay with us.
  Facility amenities: Climate-controlled, hair dryers in lodge rooms. All rooms have private bath. Satellite TV in main lodge only. You are not disturbed by the distraction of telephones and televisions in your sleeping rooms to preserve the serenity of your stay with us.
  Smoking allowed: No
  Additional nights prior:  We are a conference center, and groups often have our facility booked before or after your Road Scholar, making the availability of early arrivals and stayovers unlikely.
  Check in time: 2:00 PM
  Additional nights after:  We are a conference center, and groups often have our facility booked before or after your Road Scholar, making the availability of early arrivals and stayovers unlikely.
  Check out time: 11:00 AM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
3:00 p.m. You will be staying at Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO) that night.
  End of Program:
12:30 p.m. You will be staying at Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO) the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Health and Supplemental Information Forms plus Liability Waiver to be completed and returned to ECCO no later than 3 (three) weeks before program begins.
  Parking availability:
Ground-floor entry is available in front of sleeping rooms.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Oakhurst, CA
  Nearest city or town:  Oakhurst
  Nearest highway: Highway 41
  Nearest airport:  Fresno Yosemite International Airport
  From End of Program
  Location: Oakhurst, CA
    (Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
 

Fresno

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
ECCO
phone: 559-683-8162
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$75.00 per person, subject to change until reservation is confirmed
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

1 hour 
 

Distance:

 

50 miles
 
Driving Directions
  From Northern California Take Hwy 99 south. Exit on Hwy 140 east (toward Yosemite). At the intersection with Hwy 49, turn right. Hwy 49 dead ends at Hwy 41 in Oakhurst. Turn left on Hwy 41. ECCO is 4 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 41 & Hwy 49, on the right--the first driveway past the neon sign for Sierra Sky Ranch. Watch for the red and white "Welcome Road Scholar" banner. Turn into the driveway (shared with Christ Church) and follow the signs one mile back to the conference center.
  From San Francisco Airport ake Hwy 101 south to Gilroy. Exit eastbound on Hwy 152 and stay on 152 until it merges southbound with Hwy 99. Exit on Hwy 145. At the end of the offramp turn left. Turn right on Cleveland Avenue. Continue on Cleveland about a mile to 145. Turn left on 145. Go about 20 miles then turn left on Hwy 41. Once you drop down into Oakhurst ECCO is 4 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 41 & Hwy 49, on the right--the first driveway past the neon sign for Sierra Sky Ranch. Watch for the red and white "Welcome Road Scholar" banner. Turn into the driveway (shared with Christ Church) and follow the signs one mile back to the conference center.
  From Southern California ECCO can be reached by car from Southern California by taking highway 5 north to 99, then take Hwy 41 north toward Yosemite in Fresno. Once you drop down into Oakhurst ECCO is 4 miles north of the intersection of Hwy 41 & Hwy 49, on the right--the first driveway past the neon sign for Sierra Sky Ranch. Watch for the red and white "Welcome Road Scholar" banner. Turn into the driveway (shared with Christ Church) and follow the signs one mile back to the conference center.
  From Yosemite Valley ECCO is approximate 1-1/2 hours from Yosemite Valley. As you exit YV, follow the signs toward Hwy 41. As you travel out of the park, you will pass the turnoff for Glacier Point and Badger Pass as well as the Wawona Hotel. Exit through the south gate of the park and continue on Hwy 41. ECCO is on the left approximately 12 miles south. Our sign may be difficult to see from that direction, so watch for the Christ Church sign. Turn left there and follow the signs to ECCO about a mile back.
  From the Eastern Sierras (Reno, etc) **THIS ROUTE IS SEASONAL AND IS USUALLY CLOSED BETWEEN LATE OCTOBER THROUGH MAY--CHECK BEFORE MAKING PLANS TO USE THIS ROUTE.** Take 395 either north or south to Hwy 120. Go west on Hwy 120 and enter Yosemite National Park through the Tioga Pass entrance. Follow signs down to Yosemite Valley. Watch for signs for Highway 41 to Fresno. Turn right at Bridalveil Fall/Highway 41. Go approximately 45 miles past the south park entrance. ECCO is approximately 12 miles south of the Yosemite southern entrance. Watch carefully for the sign; it is very difficult to see coming from Yosemite. Keep an eye out for the Christ Church sign. We share a parking lot with them. Turn into the Christ Church parking lot, then follow the signs 1 mile back to ECCO.
  Highway/Weather Information Check the following for up-to-the-minute road conditions and weather information: Weather for Oakhurst and Yosemite National Park: www.wunderground.com Road Conditions: www.dot.ca.gov Road Conditions Telephone: You can also call 1-800.427.7623 for current highway conditions.
Elevation Note: 3,100 ft
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1:
(Monday, November 19)
   
 Arrive To: You will be given specific arrival time/location instructions in your preparatory materials, which will be mailed to you no later than six (6) weeks prior to program start.
 Afternoon: A get-acquainted social hour begins at 5 p.m. with wine, non-alcoholic beverages and hors d'oeuvre.
 Dinner: Dinner is served at 6:00 p.m. in Lyles Dining Hall.
 Evening: At 7:00 p.m. we will give a brief orientation session, followed by introductions. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2:
(Tuesday, November 20)
   
 Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. breakfast in Lyles Dining Hall.
 Morning: Field trip to Yosemite Valley.
 Lunch: Lunch at the world-famous, historic Ahwahnee Hotel, followed by a tour of its great rooms with their exquisite Indian basketry displays and elegant stained-glass windows.
 Afternoon: If you choose, you may skip the Ahwahnee Hotel tour in order to explore other locations in Yosemite Valley such as the Ansel Adams Gallery, the Indian Museum and the Visitors Center. At approximately 3:00 p.m. board the bus for return to ECCO. You will arrive at ECCO at about 5:00 p.m.
 Dinner: Dinner in Lyles Dining Hall
 Evening: A seasonal program will be presented after dinner.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:
(Wednesday, November 21)
   
 Breakfast: 8:00 am Breakfast in Lyles Dining Hall
 Morning: Class "An Overview of Yosemite/Sierra Nevada Geology" with instructor Shirley Spencer.
 Lunch: Lunch in Lyles Dining Hall
 Afternoon: 1:00 p.m. Class "Yosemite Artists & Their Influence" with Shirley Spencer
 Afternoon: At 2:45 p.m. board bus for short journey to Wawona's Pioneer History Center, for an examination of the pioneering years of Yosemite National Park, then mosey over to the enchanting Victorian Wawona Hotel, where you'll meet musician/historian Tom Bopp for a brief historical tour of the grounds.
 Dinner: Dinner in the elegant dining room of the Wawona Hotel. Following your meal take a few minutes to listen to the music of Tom Bopp before returning to ECCO.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:
(Thursday, November 22)
   
 Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. Continental breakfast in Lyles Hall
 Morning: After breakfast, take the morning to relax amid ECCO's tranquil grounds, or explore the surrounding area. At 11:00 a.m. join us, if you wish, for an optional Holy Eucharist service in Walters Chapel.
 Afternoon: At 12:15 gather in Lyles Hall for a social hour before our Thanksgiving celebration, including wine, sparkling cider and hors d'oeuvre.
 Afternoon: After dinner, continue to relax, socialize, enjoy games
 Dinner: At 1:00 p.m. Our annual gala Thanksgiving Dinner Is served!
 Evening: An interactive bell concert in Walters Chapel, led by Suzy Gazlay, assisted by Cindy Hoover. Suzy says "It is definitely a do-it-yourself bell "concert." Road Scholar folks will be ringing the chimes. It's guaranteed success with no note reading involved. That's what makes it so much fun!"
 Evening: "Leftovers" are served at 6:00 p.m.
   
Accommodations: Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5:
(Friday, November 23)
   
 Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in Lyles Hall.
 Morning: 9:00 a.m. Class - a wrapup of the week's adventures, discussing Sierra Nevada flora and fauna.
 Lunch: 11:30 a.m. Enjoy an early lunch in Lyles Hall.
 Afternoon: Depart for home or your next destination.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


Reading Resource List


Author: Various


Description: An extensive reading resource list will be included with your preparatory materials for this class.





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