2008 Camp Swank

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Weekend of June 7 and 8 would work for me. As for lodgings, if the weather permits, I'll likely sleep beneath a canopy of stars.

[Not Afraid]

Those dates are fine with me.

I did hear back from Kings Canyon. All campgrounds open for Memorial Day then they close some based on "what maintenance wants to do". In my experience, Sheep Creek and Sentinel are the ones that stay open. Of course, if they have a freak snow storm, the entire canyon would be closed since the road will be closed, but that's unlikely. They suggested we call the week before to double check on Sheep Creek.

I also talked about the group sites. "D" in Canyon View is on the river, but we'd have to have a group of 20 or more to reserve and the mid-size group sites are on a first-come, first-served basis. So, either way, we're winging it.

[Not Afraid]

Weekend of June 7 and 8 would work for me. As for lodgings, if the weather permits, I'll likely sleep beneath a canopy of stars.

Good. The bears will sniff you out first. ;)

[Kevy Baby]

Good. The bears will sniff you out first. ;)I didn't know Lashie was coming!

[Morrigoon]

Won't we have 20?

[katiesue]

Last year we had 16.

[Morrigoon]

Oh.

[Capt Jack]

so, tell em 20 and "two dropped out at the last second"


:evil:

[Ghoulish Delight]

Oh look a plan!

Hi. We might go.

[Morrigoon]

Tentative "who's going" list: (edited)

Kevy
Susan
Not Afraid
Euro
Audra
Nirvanaman
Capt Jack
Morrigoon
Sohrshah
Ghoulish Delight
Cadaverous Pallor
innerSpaceman
BTD
Disneyphile
FrodoPotter
Daddyphile
KatieSue
Borneio
Alex?
LSPE?
Tom?

[Not Afraid]

Katie Sue

[Alex]

If I'm the Alex in that list then I'd have to say unlikely but can't say for certain yet. France in the fall is probably going to eat up all my vacation this year and Kings Canyon is too far away for a standard weekend camping.

But we'll be booking France in the next couple weeks so I would know for certain then.

[Kevy Baby]

Kevy
Susan
Not Afraid
Euro
Audra
Nirvanaman
Capt Jack
Morrigoon
Sohrshah
Ghoulish Delight
Cadaverous Pallor
innerSpaceman
BTD + 1
Disneyphile
FrodoPotter
Daddyphile
KatieSue
Borneio
Alex?
LSPE?
Tom?

[Morrigoon]

So... with even one of our question marks erased, we'll have 20.

[BarTopDancer]

Me and my +1 are a maybe depending on a software release that is hindering any and all vacation time approvals for the summer. This includes, but is not limited to a half-day on Friday. Which if we do go, it will be a weekend trip.

[Morrigoon]

Yeah, S. and I are almost definitely weekenders only because of our work schedules. I could only afford to take an extra day, at most.

[Kevy Baby]

I suspect that most people will just be weekenders, as it was last year. I plan to NOT be a weekender as this will probably be my vacation for the year.

[Disneyphile]

We'll probably be Thurs-Monday, depending on if Ken can get the time off.

[innerSpaceman]

AND ... being that I'm not willing to wait till 2010 to take the virgins to Yosemite ... I may be organizing a side trip for a glorious day (or perhaps two) in Yosemite Valley. I hope any Yosemite virgins coming camping might be able to go ... and spend a day or 2 there as opposed to another day or 2 in Kings Canyon (which, frankly, has barely 2 days of things to see/do ... less if we don't repeat what we did/saw last year ... but of course we will, since those were sweet ... and none of the Yosemite virgins were there last year anyway).


So... would that be of any interest to Yosemite Virgins who might have been thinking of spending more than just the strict weekend at Kings Canyon???

[Not Afraid]

Wouldn't you know it. The minute we seem to have things nail down, SOMEONE has to come up with something else to think about.

[Disneyphile]

An interesting note I found about Canyon View:

Canyon View is a smaller, less manicured campground where tenters can get away from RVs.

[Not Afraid]

An interesting note I found about Canyon View:

This is true, it is much smaller and, frankly, not as nice as Sheep Creek. If I remember correctly, there are fewer trees ie: less shade.

If we get the spots I would like to get at Sheep Creek, they are bordered on the far right by a creek and no other campsites and the river on the "front". The spots are also HUGE! But, Ive never actually stayed at Canyon View, only driven through.

The other info I got in my phone call today was that Canyon View is the first campground they close when it isn't busy. I thought that was odd, of that's where the group sites are.

[Morrigoon]

AND ... being that I'm not willing to wait till 2010 to take the virgins to Yosemite ... I may be organizing a side trip for a glorious day (or perhaps two) in Yosemite Valley. I hope any Yosemite virgins coming camping might be able to go ... and spend a day or 2 there as opposed to another day or 2 in Kings Canyon (which, frankly, has barely 2 days of things to see/do ... less if we don't repeat what we did/saw last year ... but of course we will, since those were sweet ... and none of the Yosemite virgins were there last year anyway).


So... would that be of any interest to Yosemite Virgins who might have been thinking of spending more than just the strict weekend at Kings Canyon???
I actually like that idea, iSm... if the people who wanna start super early go do Yosemite for a couple days first, then the group doesn't need to take as many days worth of Kings Canyon sites.

(budget is a serious consideration for me this year, not that it wasn't last year, but more so)

[Not Afraid]

Well, when everyone decided on what is actually going to happen, will someone let me know? I am not going to drive from Kings Canyon to Yosemite (about a 3 1/2 to 4 hour drive) and back again.

[innerSpaceman]

Well, it's not exactly like that, N.A.

Here's how it works.

The people who want to participate in the Yosemite Valley Adventure add-on drive up to Yosemite (very) early on Wednesday, June 4. (This may or may not be the same day that early arrivers plan to arrive in Kings Canyon ... most likely that will rather be Thursday, the 5th)

Wednesday will be a day of generally exploring the Valley, a visit to Bridalveil Fall, where Gemini Cricket helped save the a young life of a foolhardy boy (and then went no further in the Valley) ... then some rock-scrambling to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall (much safer than the scrambling at Bridalveil) and, lastly ... purely optional because it's strenuous ... an expedition to the base of Upper Yosemite Fall (aka Death Falls) where I witnessed a man fall to his doom from the top of the world's 2nd tallest waterfall.

Thursday the 5th will feature 2 of the most rewarding hikes on the planet. Early in the morning (before the hoards invade this incredibly popular nature area, rendering it un-nature-like) a hike up the Mist Trail, climbing beautiful Vernal Fall, then on up to the top of magnificent Nevada Fall, returning to Happy Isles in the Valley via the Horse Trail, with great views of the waterfalls just climbed.

That afternoon, a drive up the Glacier Point road for the fantastic (less strenuous) hike out to Taft Point with its grand views of El Capitan, and staggering view of the Valley below through the Five Fissures ... then through beautiful forest out along the edge of the Valley to the top of Sentinal Dome for a stunning sunset and a some stargazing.

Friday, June 6, we'd make the four-hour car journey via Fresno to Kings Canyon - - and join the majority of other Swank Campers arriving that day for a long weekend of fantastic group fun.


* * * *

The Yosemite Valley Adventure will be limited to a much smaller group.

I grabbed everything available in the Valley for the nights of the 4th and 5th of June, and it wasn't much. There was no room at the Yosemite Lodge. No cabins with bath at Curry Village. Though cancellations may lead to upgrades between now and June, what we have so far is this:

3 cabins w/o bath at Curry Village for the night of Thursday, June 5. And 3 tent cabins at Curry Village for the night of Wednesday, June 4.

I'm kidnapping Gemini Cricket to share accomodations with me. That leaves room for 4 on the Yosemite add-on. I'm giving first opportunity to Yosemite Valley virgins (as far as I know, that's just Cadaverous Pallor .. and she's free to bring a guest, which I assume would be her husband, Ghoulish Delight). So I'm giving first dibs to them. 2 other spots are available. If the Cadaverous Delights decline, then 4 spots will be available.


Sorry, but I can't wait until 2010. Pfft, Gemini Cricket is freaking about turning 37 in a few days. But I'll be turning FIFTY in 2010. Pardon me if I want to get some mountain climbing in before then. *




* 2 of the 3 hikes in Yosemite, though not really moutain climbing, are considered fairly strenous for their elevation gain. While the hike to Death Falls will be optional, the Mist Trail hike is de rigeur. Yosemite Valley Adventurers should be in good health, free from neck, back and heart conditions, and not pregnant.

[Morrigoon]

I love that no matter how many times I point it out, iSm still can't remember that I haven't been to Yosemite since I was an infant, and am therefore a Yosemite virgin. :P

In other news, I'd love to go, but probably can't afford it :(

[Not Afraid]

Whatever. (It's actually a 5 hour drive between Valley and Canyon)

I think I'm done. There gets to be a point when too much discussion and changes take all of the joy out of a trip before it even happens.

If you want to do a group thing, do a group thing, otherwise take your vacations on your own. Don't take the helm of a group plan then bow out and fu<k thening up for everyone else.

[Disneyphile]

So, um, how about us non-Yosemite folks plan on Thursday through Monday nights at the reserved group site or the Sheep Creek sites that NA mentioned?

We'll try to save room for the latecomers. I know I'll be taking up a nice shady spot. ;) :p

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Alas, the LSPoors don't do the tent thing (sleep apnea) and we'll be celebrating our first anniversary that weekend, so maybe we can join a lodge swanking another year. I know you'll all have a wonderful time!

[innerSpaceman]

Don't take the helm of a group plan then bow out and fu<k thening up for everyone else.

Huh? What are you talking about? It's an add-on. Subtracting one day that I (and very few others) would have been at Kings Canyon for 2 days at Yosemite. Arriving at Kings Canyon on the very same day that the vast majority do, and staying at Kings Canyon with the big group till just about everyone goes home.


How is that messing things up for everyone else? Because there weren't enough accomodations during that weekday period in Yosemite Valley for 20 people?


I was fine with waiting till 2009 for a big lodge swanking. It's not going to happen that year for me. I AM going to Japan. My entire vacation budget and time for the year will be blown (the budget more than blown).


So instead of waiting till everyone can go in 2010, when I might be in a wheelchair for all I know ;) , I'm going to tack 2 measley days onto the camping trip in another part of the Sierras.


It's just a great opportunity for folks, especially Yosemite virgins, to go with some friends* this year, instead of 2 years later. Lord knows, I tried to swing this year's Swank Camp to Yosemite ... and that just wasn't in the cards.




* And yes, this is for some friends, not a ton of friends. Frankly, the activities and explorations on a limited time scale are not condusive to very large groups. I grabbed every non-Ahwahnee accomodation available ... BUT anyone who wants to try for cancellations OR grab a non-reserved campsite at White Wolf is free to join in. If you recall, the problem with White Wolf was getting 4 adjacent sites. Getting one or 2 on a Wednesday should pose no problem whatsoever.



Again, I don't mean to offend anyone. I just have a yearning to take my younger friends who've never seen Yosemite to explore the Incomparable Valley while I'm still young enough to explore it with them. Tick, tick, and all that. No Time Like The Present.

[Not Afraid]

Again, I don't mean to offend anyone. I just have a yearning to take my younger friends who've never seen Yosemite to explore the Incomparable Valley while I'm still young enough to explore it with them. Tick, tick, and all that. No Time Like The Present.


Then find another weekend and get a group together and go to Yosemite! There are many weekends between now and June and after. This weekend was planned for Camp Swank and YOU were at the helm of planning. You just bow out and make other plans? That's really not cool.

[Ponine]

I'm confused, and I know its not just me. I'm confused that the King's Canyon and Yosemite trips seems have merged into one trip.

Could you possiblly speak of them as two separate trips,
so that we could truly see what you're talking about, and them we could have the choice of combining them?

Or the choice of combining them could be a group decision?

I know that I'm late to the group, but being told that someone would like me to consider it, and suddenly have it seem like an even larger trip than I had been talked into, is very intimidating.

[katiesue]

So, um, how about us non-Yosemite folks plan on Thursday through Monday nights at the reserved group site or the Sheep Creek sites that NA mentioned?

We'll try to save room for the latecomers. I know I'll be taking up a nice shady spot. ;) :p

This sounds like a plan. I'm with NA that we take our chances getting Sheep Creek sites.

[Morrigoon]

How close to use do we have to cancel the sites? Because we could always book the group one as a backup, then have the first-comers see if they can land the FCFS sites, and if they can, cancel the group reservation - I mean, assuming that the group one is cancelable... But that way we have a shot at the preferred camp spots with a solid backup plan.

[katiesue]

There is no deposit or anything for the group sites and they don't take a credit card or anything to hold. I guess it's possible to cancel at the last day but that's kind of suckish if another group had wanted that date and couldn't go and then we bag at the last day.

There are also medium group sites (which we technically probably would be) but they are first come first serve as well. Those could be scouted by the first comers as well.

[Disneyphile]

There are also medium group sites (which we technically probably would be) but they are first come first serve as well. Those could be scouted by the first comers as well.That's a good idea.

[Morrigoon]

Hmm... yeah okay, sounds like there's a lot of backup there.

Is it June yet?

3 months is a long time to wait.... I need a vacation!

[Disneyphile]

I just have a yearning to take my younger friends who've never seen Yosemite to explore the Incomparable Valley while I'm still young enough to explore it with them. Tick, tick, and all that. No Time Like The Present.
But, if you wait, then you can lead iSm's Geriatric Tours, and the participants can carry you on their backs like Yoda! ;)

[Morrigoon]

Why can I suddenly picture iSm on someone's shoulders, bopping them on the head with his walking stick?

[innerSpaceman]

You just bow out and make other plans? That's really not cool.

OMG Lisa, Please READ.

I AM NOT BOWING OUT.

I will be at Swank Camp in Kings Canyon. I will arrive on the same day that MOST PEOPLE ARRIVE. And I will be among the last to leave.

This is not in any way bowing out. This is PURELY AND TOTALLY ADDITIONAL for anyone who also wants to spend a couple of COMPLETELY EXTRA days in Yosemite. It's a little further north in the Sierras. Yeah, it sucks we can't crow fly, and have to drive thru Fresno.



Let me see if I can read between the lines, here. And correct me if I'm wrong.

Are you upset because this side-trip would prevent me from being one of the campsite Pioneers at Sheep Creek? One less tent to claim 4 adjacent spots with? Yeah, that would be true if this Yosemite thing flies.



But you are mistaken if you think Swank Camp is being spearheaded by me or helmed by me or anything of the sort. I reiterate for the umpteenth time that I am a single voice with a single vote. I have been outvoted on dates and on place. And I am still a participant. But JUST a participant. Like everyone else.

I have already said, some weeks back, that I am not willing to front the camping money this year, and I have said over and over that I am just one among many who will go with the majority decision.

And I will. But I don't feel I have any personal responsibilty to be one of the first people to arrive. I hope that four people/parties will volunteer for that. I just won't be one of them.


It's no secret I have less enthusiasm for Kings Canyon than I do for Yosemite. We were just at Kings Canyon last year. It's beautiful and I want to visit there again. Maybe not so soon, but that's what's happening ... and I look forward to joining in the fun. But I do not have the enthusiasm required to be one of the first four people there, and I resent your implication ... if you are indeed implying ... that I have a responsibility to do that.


I have a responsibility to follow my heart. My heart wants to take some people on a side-trip to Yosemite. If there are any such people who want to do that. I hope there will be a few.

[innerSpaceman]

Hmmmm,

I just thought of something.

OFFER No. 1
I will lend my Tent to any one of the three parties who will be leading the Pioneer Effort at Sheeps Creek, if four are not willing to do it. They can set it up as a Dummy Camp. I'll even contribute two blow-up sex dolls to live in the tent until real people can get there.

Yeah, it means you'd have to rig-up the Sydney Opera House tent. But I think what we're really looking for is a Tent to Occupy Space, and not necessarily the people who would sleep in it.



OFFER No. 2
I am extending a 25% discount on the 2 nights of lodging in Yosemite Valley for any Yosemite Virgins who want to add that on to make a Grand Sierra Adventure.

That's retail of approximately $100 per person, which I will discount to wholesale of $75 (approx.) to any Yosemite Virgins.



I hope this demonstrates my good faith effort to contribute to securing adjacent campsites in Kings Canyon, and my can't-help-myself effort to deflower Yosemite Virgins (with the assistance of any others who'd like to join in).




BTW: There will be iSm Geriatric National Park Tours in the Future. First Up: Yellowstone - - a mecca for geriatrics and one of America's Great Treasures.

[Gemini Cricket]

Uh, hi, Mr. innerSpaceman. I've been doing some thinking, and I've got some ideas to improve the camping trip plans. One, Poochie needs to be louder, angrier, and have access to a time machine. Two, whenever Poochie's not onscreen, all the other characters should be asking "Where's Poochie"? Three--

[innerSpaceman]

First, I have to ask Who's Poochie, before I can ask Where's Poochie?



OMG, Time Machine is such a great idea though. We can go back and prevent Stupid Boy from breaking his back at Bridalveil, but pre-arrange to have him put in foster care when he's taken away from his demented parents.

Then we can huff and puff our way to the top of Death Falls, prevent the fall from the top of the falls, and rechristen the place "Upper Yosemite Falls."


We can also bring blankets to the top of Sentinal Dome for the most amazing meteor shower I have ever seen, so we can stay up there all night long.


Oh, and Happy Isles before the fire!


Ooooooh, and the Glacier Point FireFall ... which I've never seen with my own eyes.


OMG, that's just for starters at Yosemite!


What other Time Machine Camping can we do????

[Morrigoon]

Heh, nice Simpson's reference there, GC ;)

Did I mention I wish it was time for the trip already?

[innerSpaceman]

D'uh, thanks Morrigoon. I'm lost on Simpsons references without zapppop being my constant companion. (He can spreak for days in Simpsonese, and would be the one to take along on any trip to Springfield.)

[Not Afraid]

UPDATE:
Teresa is updating the Wiki that we used last year with this year's Kings Canyon Swank Camp information. Tonight, when I get home, I will start a new thread to be used specifically for the Kings Canyon Swank Camp trip June 5-9 and include a link to the Wiki. All information, sign-ups, spefcifics etc will be on the Wiki, but we can use the new thread to discuss specifics and answer questions.

[Kevy Baby]

I have never been to Yosemite. I won't be going this year. I will be going up to King's Canyon (I think that is what the final decision is) on Thursday, June 5. I believe that I will be seeing NA and € and possibly others on that day.

[innerSpaceman]

ok, no 25% discount for you.



Thanks for being one of the Kings Canyon Pioneers. Let me know if you need the blow-up sex dolls. ;)

[Disneyphile]

I will be going up to King's Canyon (I think that is what the final decision is) on Thursday, June 5. Wanna share a site again? :)

[Capt Jack]

UPDATE:
Teresa is updating the Wiki that we used last year with this year's Kings Canyon Swank Camp information. Tonight, when I get home, I will start a new thread to be used specifically for the Kings Canyon Swank Camp trip June 5-9 and include a link to the Wiki. All information, sign-ups, spefcifics etc will be on the Wiki, but we can use the new thread to discuss specifics and answer questions.

just be sure to include that 'stuff you need' list again

man, that saved my butt on more things than I can say. without that Id have been butt nekkid and sleeping on dirt

[Not Afraid]

Yes, we do need to pair up on sites. No more than 2 cars will fit at each site. The site can fit more tents, just not cars. I want to be close to CJ so I can wake up to the smell of Chorizo. ;) CJ (and AM - if she's joining us - and KS... wanna share? I don't know how you guys are doing transport this year.

[Disneyphile]

Oh, and I assume we're doing the group meal thing again, since that worked so well last time?

[Capt Jack]

*blush*

awww.

group meal thing...yeah, that was awesome. Im in

[innerSpaceman]

So, what's the Wiki access password again?


I believe Gemini Cricket and I will be sharing a vehicle and a tent. We both snore, so should there be a snoring section somewhere near Kevy's tent ... away from the rest of the camp??


As for meal teams ... um, I can't cook worth a damn ... but I'm better at breakfast, being one of the few who are naturally up real early.

We'll be arriving Friday daytime, so breakfast either Saturday or Sunday would be our speciality ... um if anyone wants to join us and plan a menu and help make it taste good.

[Gemini Cricket]

As for what Gemini Cricket wants, he wants to go to Yosemite and Kings Canyon without missing out on any of the shenanigans at either campsite. Is that possible? Being the gotta have it all kinda girl that I am, well... I wanna have it all. Is there a way to do that?

Oh yeah, and I guess it's too late for me to post my "let's not overplan this" comment.
:D

[MouseWife]

Hey, cool! I hadn't realized you were a Yosemite virgin, GC!!

Whatever you miss, that will be great talk for around the fire, as well as your stories from Yosemite!!!

[Not Afraid]

My Brother and SIL may be joining us a well. I'm excited.

No password will be needed for the Wiki. I'll include instruction for adding information to the spread sheet.

[Gemini Cricket]

And, boy, do I have a story to tell about Yosemite already.
I'm sort of a virgin. In '96 (I think) I only got as far as Bridal Veil Falls and then turned around.
:)

[Gemini Cricket]

Kevy
Susan
Not Afraid
Euro
Audra
Nirvanaman
Capt Jack
Morrigoon
Sohrshah
Ghoulish Delight
Cadaverous Pallor
innerSpaceman
BTD + 1
Disneyphile
FrodoPotter
Daddyphile
KatieSue
Borneio
Alex?
LSPE?
Tom?
Add me to the list.
Me and quite possibly Jake Gyllenhaal.
:D

[Disneyphile]

Well, that was fun.

[Gemini Cricket]

Well, that was fun.
Tell your pop to bring a bazooka with him in case we need to shoot a mountain lion in the face.

[Disneyphile]

Tell your pop to bring a bazooka with him in case we need to shoot a mountain lion in the face.Sometimes, my dad's ass can be more lethal than a bazooka, especially if we feed him garlic. :rolleyes:

Hence why Daddyphile will have his very own tent. ;)

[innerSpaceman]

Oooh, I'm so happy Jake will be sleeping in our tent.


If I were to be wearing pants in that tent, those pants would likely tent.

[Kevy Baby]

Add me to the list.
Me and quite possibly Jake Gyllenhaal.
:DIf anyone else wants to make edits to the list, please copy the whole list and edit as needed.

I have added GC and removed the LSPoors. If there is any other modifications needed, please make them. (I did not add Jake until we get a confirmation from him.

I left Alex as he is NOT decided yet (though probably not - too bad :( ). I added Ponine, but I do not know if a "+1" should have been included.

Kevy
Susan
Not Afraid
Euro
Audra
Nirvanaman
Capt Jack
Morrigoon
Sohrshah
Ghoulish Delight
Cadaverous Pallor
innerSpaceman
BTD+ 1
Disneyphile
FrodoPotter
Daddyphile
KatieSue
Borneio
Alex?
Gemini Cricket
Ponine

This puts the total at 22 including all names (and pluses) on the list. This is of course subject to change.

[Not Afraid]

I have created a NEW thread for actual discussion about the planned trip. The thread is HERE. (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?p=196944#post196944)

It includes a link to the Wiki for this trip.


Please direct all discussion regarding the ACTUAL Kings Canyon trip to this thread and use this thread to discuss future trips or other locations ONLY.

Thanks!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Why does Kevy always put his name first on the list...

[Not Afraid]

So, should I close this thread? Do we still need it?

[Gemini Cricket]

Close it.
It'll only cause confusion... in me.

[innerSpaceman]

No, i think we should leave it open.


i can talk about Yosemite here.

[Not Afraid]

Yosemite? OK. We're going in May. The snow pack is incredible and the waterfalls are amazing (according to my family).

[Alex]

We just canceled our plans for a weekend trip to Spring Training so I'm thinking I might try to sneak in a day trip to Yosemite if Lani is comfortable with the snow.

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, the waterfalls are usually amazing in May. All the little ones that you usually only see on a map are flowing. It's an amazing effect. There is literally nowhere you can go in the Valley where there isn't at least one waterfall in sight. Very beautiful.


You can't leave the Valley floor ... or get remotely close to the base of any of the big falls ... so I found it rather limiting in activities. But beautiful and amazing.


Enjoy!

[Not Afraid]

I've been in May many, many times. But, the last few years haven't been as spectacular as this one already is. It's been warming up quite a bit over the last few weeks and the snow is melting. My Brother has had all of the windows of his house open during the day. Perfect weather.

[Not Afraid]

We just canceled our plans for a weekend trip to Spring Training so I'm thinking I might try to sneak in a day trip to Yosemite if Lani is comfortable with the snow.
Surely if you can do a day trip to Yosemite, you can do a weekend of camping in Kings Canyon! It's the same drive time for you.

[Alex]

No its not, Kings Canyon is about another 75-90 minutes each way.

Not that the drive time is the issue. For a turnaround drive out to Yosemite I don't have to plan anything, pack anything, I'm not missing out on anything.

For Kings Canyon I wouldn't get there until noon on Saturday, everybody would probably be off doing some sightseeing until the late afternoon anyway. I'd have to pack food and set up camp. Then I'd have to leave by around noon the next day. A lot of trouble to essentially drop in on a party for 10 minutes.

[Kevy Baby]

Why does Kevy always put his name first on the list...Because it is all about me :D

A lot of trouble to essentially drop in on a party for 10 minutes.Are you saying that we are not worth it?

[Alex]

Yes. But don't take it personally, nobody would be.

But if it looks like I"ll have an extra day of vacation I could use to get out there on Friday or stay until Monday then I'll give it strong consideration.

[innerSpaceman]

Alex has a point about arriving on Everyone Gone from Camp Day.

I don't want to be doing that either. Truly, if it looks as though the majority of people will be arriving Thursday, I'll do the same.

My side trip was based on the assumption that most people would be getting there Friday. If that's not the case, I certainly don't want to be encouraging anyone to miss any significant part of the Kings Canyon trip by setting up a side voyage to Yosemite for the same day.

Let's see how the Wiki plays out over the next few.

[Kevy Baby]

FWIW (and maybe I should post this in the other thread), but I am of the ilk that has no objection to just hanging around in the camp if I know someone is coming.

[innerSpaceman]

Oh believe me, there will always be some people hanging around camp. But it's one thing to have a day when not much is happening because most people will be arriving and setting up camp, and another to arrive on a day when you are practically the only one setting up camp and everyone else is off doing something fun.


If it turns out that both Thursday and Friday are going to be days when a whole bunch of people are setting up camp ... I'd just as soon miss one of those days.

In other words, if there will be 2 pitching camp days, I'll miss one. If only one such day (and that turns out to be Thursday), I'll be there for that.



It's not my intention to be a "spoiler." I just assumed that most people will be getting there Friday. If that's not the case, I'm open to changing my plans to adapt to that.

[Not Afraid]

So, Kevy, donning the hat of Mr. Woodwork, can you whip us up a wooden sign that says Camp Swank?

[Disneyphile]

I'm happy that we'll be at a significantly lower elevation than last year. I shouldn't have a problem with light-headedness at all this time.

As for someone being around camp, my dad will probably be at camp most of the time. He has some leg swelling issues, so he's usually pretty wiped out after a few hours of standing or walking in a day.

[Kevy Baby]

So, Kevy, donning the hat of Mr. Woodwork, can you whip us up a wooden sign that says Camp Swank?I haven't done a sign before, not really what I do. But if I have the time, I may (I am supposed to be building a portable shower before Memorial Day and that project has been on my plate for about a year and a half).

[Morrigoon]

Kevy: got a router? It's very easy.

[Kevy Baby]

Kevy: got a router? It's very easy.Got two (recently purchased a Porter Cable 690 (http://www.amazon.com/Porter-Cable-690LR-Fixed-Horsepower-Router/dp/B00005QEVQ)). But it is the hand-eye coordination thing that is the problem.