Subes for life!

The roads are empty, the bike paths are clear, the rivers are low, the waterfalls are a trickle. This is Yosemite in winter.

It’s hard to believe the transformation from just a few weeks ago when I was last here. Sure, it’s cold. And yes, it was raining like <beep>-all for a few days. But, the mountains are still there peeking down at us. The river still meanders its way through the valley.

It’s not all beauty and reverence in winter, though. The guest lounge at Curry Village is kept at a balmy 52F for some reason, and no fire crackling away to keep us warm*. The food service is limited**. The shuttle buses run sporadically and don’t make all stops. The roads are crap. The ice skating rink blares Christmas tunes until 10 at night. And every single guest at the Ahwahnee seemed to have a hacking cough and they all went out of their way to walk by me while casting AOE /phlegmspray.

But, you know what? The silence and solitude trump it all. I had one shuttle bus all to myself for the entire eastern Valley loop. I had the Curry Village lounge all to myself for several hours one day. My private paths are even more secluded now. And, the waterfalls sprang back to life after a couple of days of rain.

Instant waterfalls: just add water.

Instant peace and tranquility: just add Yosemite in winter.

*The dining commons at Curry Village, and the great room at The Ahwahnee both have fires going, however.

**And yes, by limited I mean bad.