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Seasons of Magic in Yosemite: Splendor in the Sierra Nevada |
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Program Number: |
1197RJ |
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| Start
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| Duration: |
5 nights |
| Location: |
Oakhurst, California
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| Price starting at: |
$832.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city |
| Program Type:
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National Parks
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| Meals: |
15;
5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners |
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| Meal
Options: |
Low Fat; Vegetarian; Low Salt |
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Experience the ever-changing beauty of Yosemite and the expansive Sierra Nevada, legendary landscapes of the West whose unique geology, flora, fauna and Native American history will captivate you on a learning adventure led by an exceptional instructor/storyteller. On two daylong field trips to Yosemite National Park, you will hear tales of early pioneer settlements and local lore. Experience the majesty of nature as you walk the trails.
Highlights
• Stop at Tunnel View for your breathtaking first glimpse of Half Dome, and stand before natural and manmade marvels like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Sentinel Bridge and Yosemite Falls.
• Walk trails that wind among giant sequoias, the world’s largest trees and some of the oldest living things on earth.
• Study Yosemite artists like Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran and others, and visit the Ansel Adams Gallery and the Native American Village and Museum.
Activity Particulars
Optional hiking up to three miles on gently sloping terrain. Elevations up to 7,000 feet.
Enjoy a three-night version of this program, "Yosemite Getaway" (#11785).
Date Specific Information
6-9-2013, 8-18-2013, 8-25-2013, 9-15-2013, 9-29-2013, 10-20-2013, 12-1-2013
Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.
9-22-2013
This program will be only five days. The program will still have two field trips to Yosemite, but other program elements may be changed.
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.
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Accommodations
Conference center on 162 forested acres with walking trails. Lodging 1,000 feet from dining hall and classrooms. Elevations of 3,100 feet.
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| 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. | | | |
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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.
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Day 1: |
Arrival between 3 to 5 p.m. - Welcome to our home!/Get-Acquainted Social Hour & Orientation
(Sunday, October 20)
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| Arrive To: | We're delighted you've decided to join us. Please plan to arrive between 3 to 5 p.m. (Not earlier than 2 p.m., please, nor later than 6 p.m.--our staff is available to assist you during those hours only.) | | Afternoon: | Make your way to Lyles Dining Hall at 5 p.m. for a get-acquainted social hour and brief orientation. We'll get to know each other, and our staff will let you know where everything is, what our meal procedures are, as well as emergency contact information and the location of the message board. We'll ask for questions and make sure you get them answered. | | Dinner: | Dinner in Lyles Hall at 6:00 p.m. Dinner features a delicious main entrée of beef, chicken, fish or pasta, along with potatoes or rice, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and dessert. Please note that only one entree selection is served per meal.
Dinner is served until 6:20 p.m., and we regret we're not able to save plates for late arrivals. | | Evening: | After dinner, we will have the remainder of our orientation session followed by introductions and a short award-winning video, "The Spirit of Yosemite." The balance of the evening is left free for you to relax after your day's journey. Cards, games & puzzles are available for your enjoyment. | |
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Day 2: |
Class - " Rocky Start - A Bit about Yosemite/Sierra Nevada Geology, "Floral Life Zones of the Sierra Nevada" and "Yosemite Artists and Their Influence"
(Monday, October 21)
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| Breakfast: | 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in Lyles Dining Hall. An ECCO breakfast buffet may include French toast, waffles or pancakes accompanied by sausage or bacon. Standard items include eggs, hot/cold cereals, fruits, toast or muffins and yogurt. | | Morning: | 9:00 a.m. - Class - "A Rocky Start - A Bit about Yosemite/Sierra Nevada Geology." Please note that this and subsequent classes may involve walking on ECCO grounds to enhance and illustrate your natural history studies. If mobility is an issue, please contact coordinator to discuss. For those who prefer not to walk, you'll have an opportunity to look over our selection of reference materials. | | Lunch: | 12 noon - Lunch in Lyles Hall. - Lunch may include a sandwich bar or a hot entrée. These may be offered with a homemade soup of the day and salad bar, along with a dessert. | | Afternoon: | 1:00 p.m. - Class - "Floral Life Zones of the Sierra Nevada." After a break, class continues with "Yosemite Artists and Their Influence"--a look at the art of Albert Bierstadt, Thomas Moran and others and their place in Yosemite's history. | | Afternoon: | 3:30 p.m. Free time to relax and enjoy our serene grounds, or take a bit of time to explore some of our surrounding countryside. Your group leader will be happy to give you suggestions about (and directions to) the attractions available. | | Dinner: | 6:00 p.m. Dinner in Lyles Hall. Dinner features a delicious main entrée of beef, chicken, fish or pasta, along with potatoes or rice, vegetables, salad bar, rolls and dessert. | | Evening: | Evening program - Each evening's program may consist of a video or a live birds of prey display and discussion or living history presentation. Each program is approximately 45 minutes long. | |
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Day 3: |
Field Trip - Yosemite Valley/Historic Ahwahnee Hotel Tour
(Tuesday, October 22)
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| Breakfast: | 7:00 a.m. - Breakfast in Lyles Dining Hall, to enable us to get an early start on our field trip to Yosemite Valley | | Morning: | 7:45 a.m. Board bus for Yosemite Valley. Bus departs at 8:00 a.m. or as soon as everyone is aboard. Your instructor/field trip guide continues her natural history lessons as you travel with examples in the field, as you travel from ECCO's oak woodlands terrain through the conifer forest, dropping down into the glacially-carved valley of Yosemite.
The drive from ECCO is approx. 1-1/2 hours over a winding road. Motion sickness medication may be helpful so you can fully enjoy and appreciate the beauty of the Queen of National Parks. If mobility is an issue, please contact coordinator for further information.
Even if you've been to Yosemite before, you'll see the park's glory with new eyes--enlightened by the passion and knowledge of our superb instructors.
Stops will be made at Tunnel View (that famous first glimpse of Half Dome), Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Bridge and Yosemite Lodge.
Note that this is not an active outdoor program; however this and the field trip on Day 5 may include walks of varying lengths to enhance and illustrate the natural history subjects being taught. | | Lunch: | 12:00 noon Enjoy a sack lunch in Yosemite Valley. | | Afternoon: | After lunch your field trip guide will lead you on a tour of the magnificent Ahwahnee Hotel, where you'll marvel at the architecture, the basketry displays and the history inherent within its walls.
If you'd prefer to explore other areas (such as the Ansel Adams Gallery, Indian Village & Museum, Visitor's Center, Yosemite Falls, etc., your group leader will assist you in planning your afternoon.
Arrive at the appointed meeting place at the time designated by your group leader to board the bus for return to ECCO. Stops will be made along the way at Gates of the Valley and Tunnel View. You will arrive back at ECCO between 5 and 5:30 p.m.
3:00 p.m. Bus departs Yosemite Valley for return to ECCO. You will arrive at ECCO at approximately 5:00 p.m. | | Dinner: | 6:00 p.m. Dinner at ECCO | | Evening: | Evening program after dinner. | |
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Free Time Opportunities |
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| Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO) |
Bass Lake
Fish or swim in Bass Lake's beautiful blue waters. For additional information, visit www.basslakechamber.com/
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Mariposa History Center
This is a marvelous exploration of central California's early years. For additional information, visit mariposamuseum.com/
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California State Mining & Mineral Museum
One of the finest gem and mineral museums in the country. For additional information, visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=588
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Glacier Point
Glacier Point is a view of Yosemite not to be missed, and, except on rare occasions, we can't take you there. (Large buses are not permitted.) The drive is one and a half hours each way but well worth the effort. For additional information, visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Point
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Mariposa Grove
Mariposa Grove is a sequoia grove located near Wawona, California in the southernmost part of Yosemite National Park. It is the largest grove of Giant Sequoias in the park, with several hundred mature examples of the tree. Two of its trees are among the Twenty Five largest Giant Sequoias in the world. For additional information, visit www.yosemite.ca.us/mariposa_grove_of_giant_sequoias/
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Nelder Grove
We find Nelder Grove the most peaceful and soothing of the Yosemite-area giant sequoia groves. It's in a narrow draw with a brook flowing through the center of it, and besides the giant sequoias, you'll find lots of other big evergreens, especially cedars, plus several dogwoods. For additional information, visit www.yosemitehikes.com/not-yosemite/nelder-grove/nelder-grove.htm
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Sierra Mono Indian Museum
The North Fork Mono Families first incorporated in 1966 to form the Sierra Mono Museum for the purpose of preserving Tribal history. The museum offers both static and living history experience. The doors have been open to the public since 1971.
Permanent collections include a wide variety of Native American baskets and cultural artifacts. Also on display is the Tettleton Wildlife Diorama Collection consisting of over 100 freestanding taxidermy animals of North America and Asia. Other collections include historical photographs, cultural items, beadwork and weapons.
Our gift shop is stocked with locally made authentic Indian Crafts, books and gifts.
Every Thursday, Elders gather to weave, bead and dine on potluck lunch. During the fall they can be found cracking acorn for holiday events or cleaning Sourberry and Redbud sticks for weaving supplies.
Guided tours offer a walk through the collections, stories, songs, and nature walk with signage explaining usage of indigenous plants.
Classes in language and Basketry are held throughout the year.
Visiting the museum offers a glimpse at Mono Indian lifestyles of yesterday and today. For additional information, visit www.sierramonomuseum.org/
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Golfing
1) River Creek Golf Course - www.rivercreekgolfcourse.com/ - 9-hole course in Ahwahnee, 5 miles from ECCO
2) Sierra Meadows Country Club - www.sierrameadows.com/ - 18-hole course in Ahwahnee, 5 miles from ECCO
3) Wawona Golf Course - www.yosemitepark.com/activities_warmweatheractivities_golfing.aspx - 20 miles from ECCO, within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park
If you are interested in golf, please consider our new program, "Fore! Golf Yosemite & Two Great Courses in the Beautiful Sierra Nevada" - program number 17247..
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| Oakhurst, CA |
Bass Lake
Fish or swim in Bass Lake (a 15-minute drive)
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California Mining & Mineral Museum
In Mariposa, about 30 minutes from Oakhurst. One of the finest gem and mineral museums in the country. For additional information, visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=588
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Glacier Point
Glacier Point is a view of Yosemite not to be missed, and, except on rare occasions, we can't take you there. (Large buses are not permitted.) The drive is one and a half hours each way but well worth the effort. For additional information, visit www.yosemitefun.com/glacier_point.htm
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Golf
Golf in Oakhurst (15 minutes) - River Creek Golf Course - www.rivercreekgolfcourse.com/
Sierra Meadows Country Club - www.sierrameadows.com/
Wawona Golf Course (inside Yosemite National Park) - www.yosemitepark.com/activities_warmweatheractivities_golfing.aspx
Note: If you are interested in golfing in our area, check out the new golf Road Scholar ECCO will be offering Program No. 17247..
For additional information, visit See above
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Hiking Opportunities
The Sierra Nevada foothills and the southern area of Yosemite National Park abound with hiking opportunities, on trails of varying lengths and difficulty:
Way of the Mono - at Bass Lake - a 1 mile self-interpretive loop
Nelder Grove: Shadow of the Giants Trail - 1 mile self-interpretive loop open late spring through fall; also in Nelder Grove: the trail to the Bull Buck tree. This magnificient specimen of a Giant Sequoia tree reaches a height of 246 feet (75 m) and has a ground-level circumference of 100 feet (30 m)
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Mariposa History Center
In Mariposa, 30 minutes from Oakhurst. This is a marvelous exploration of central California's early years. For additional information, visit mariposamuseum.com/
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Nelder Grove
About 7 miles from ECCO, this is your opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with some ancient giant sequoias. Shadow of the Giants is an easy one-mile walking trail. For additional information, visit www.yosemitehikes.com/not-yosemite/nelder-grove/nelder-grove.htm
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Sierra Mono Museum
In North Fork, 30 minutes from Oakhurst. This Indian-owned and operated museum features one of the finest collections of Indian basketry around. For additional information, visit www.sierramonomuseum.org/
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Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
An exciting 4-mile railroad excursion at Yosemite Park's south gate on highway 41. Ride into history where powerful locomotives once hauled massive log trains through the Sierra mountains. Where mighty lumberjacks felled the timber and flumes carried lumber to the distant valley below. The Sierra National Forest's majestic woods provide the backdrop for the narrow gauge journey back in time. The Jenny Cars may operate at times when the Narrow Gauge is not available.
For additional information, visit www.ymsprr.com/
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