Day 1, March 10, 2013

Post date: Mar 11, 2013 5:51:33 AM

Dear Families,

It looks like we are going to have a spectacular week! We arrived in the valley on schedule and were met by the glory of Yosemite under sunny skies and low 60's. We are staying in a two story building in the Valley very near the main Yosemite Lodge lobby where we enjoyed a wonderful meal for dinner and a short hike to the auditorium for the Spirit of Yosemite. The rooms have been outfitted with two bunk beds and a double bed. We had an orientations session on preparing for the day tomorrow and just reviewed a view of the rules of the camp.

The evening hikes are wonderful this time of year; we leave at dusk and when we emerge from the program, Orion and all the other stars fills the sky. I heard from Wawona that they are also taking a short hike also for their evening program, and the weather is just as warm there. Those short hikes are a great way to burn some energy after the bus ride. I heard the bus rides were uneventful. Our short stop in Los Banos around lunch was an opportunity for the kids to stand and stretch halfway. After that stop, we enjoyed the Central Valley. It is verdant and decorated with blossoming fruit trees and California poppies.

Tomorrow, Rotation D, the Celebrities, are leaving for Badger Pass in the morning at 8:00 for a day of skiing and Rotation E, the animals will enjoy the day in the valley. I heard that all is well at Crane Flat and also at the Wawona Hotel. I will be trying to tweet some pictures of the camp and rooms for parents to enjoy tomorrow during the day.Rotations B and C (Rocks and Stars), will be taking the bus to the valley in the morning to enjoy the day here and return to Wawona for the evening. Rotation F is spending the day in Wawona probably experiencing the Mariposa Grove. Rotation A reports that all is well up at Crane Flat.

Thank you again for your patience this morning as we loaded all the buses and took care of those last minute issues.

Looking forward to a beautiful day tomorrow,

Mary Enright