Yosemite Valley

by Lorraine Cheli
(Santa Rosa Ca USA)

Hi Kathy,

Love your site. My first experience in Yosemite was camping in 1957 with our 9 month old daughter. My inlaws camped there every August at the old Camp 14 with their children since 1937.

In those days they did not have segregated campsites as now and you could stay any length of time. Because my father inlaw had 1 month off every August that is where the family spent their time. Camp 14 is now called Lower Pines and they had a little grocery store right at the entrance to the camp. We always camped right on the river---no longer allowed--- and would walk to the beautiful swimming hole at Sugar Pine Bridge.

I do an Amtrak/Yosemite tour with a local artist from Santa Rosa in June. She leads an art workshop and I take care of the folks that are not artists. We stay at The Lodge and have a moonlight open air tram tour included as well as a beautiful luncheon at the Ahwahnee Hotel.

We come in by train to Merced and then take the Yarts connection bus into the valley.
I have put your site in my favorites and I am going to recommend it to the art enthusiasts. I will also be looking to read your book because I had a dear friend who had a child with Autism.

I happen to be on Facebook if you care to go to my profile as it is public information. Thanks.

Lorraine Cheli