Oh, I'd love to see the Bears at Coachella!!! The gang that goes already rocks so add these two and Bamm!!

It looks like things have been straightened out....all looks great!!!

I like that the Yosemite visit leads into the Hearst Castle visit....more doable. Miss just a couple of weekdays and then you have the weekend.

Now, I doubt everyone would do this, but, we were short on time and we wanted to be in the valley first thing in the a.m. and have the whole day. We left San Diego late in the afternoon, drove powered by highly caffienated coffee beverages, made it all of the way to the Chukchansi casino, bet a bit, then went back and slept in the car for a few hours. This abled us to get to Yosemite for the full days we wanted. Just an idea for those who are short on time. It is doable.

And, I wonder what Gilroy will be like {um, I am confusing myself, it won't be time for their festivals, right?}? Is that the way to go from Yosemite, past Gilroy? Do Bears like garlic?

Those prices are awesome for that big cabin, but, if anyone wants to book with the DNC, they only require one nights stay as a deposit. Then, you can either pay upon arrival or make payments, I've done this.

I keep checking for the family room....not yet.....

The neat thing, that the boys were never in a position to have to choose Winchester vs Hearst.....there were back up plans being put together should they decide to shift the yosemite portion of their trip. Thankfully things worked out well and those who can be there will, those who can't will live viacriously and the bottom line is that this is the boys vacation that they are graciously sharing with all of us....I can't wait for 'my turn' :D

Gilroy would be a detour in the wrong direction from here to Yosemite...it's just beyond San Jose.

LOL Good thing I am just the co-pilot. :D

I just thought of something as I was checking the availability of lodging at Yosemite....

There are still rooms available pretty much everywhere {limited but still some}. The prices are better at Curry Village. But. Last year I booked the cabin as that is all that there was and shortly before our trip, there were rockslides. They then offered us a cabin without a bath. I had to take it but I was luckily able to find a room at the Lodge.

Just something to think about. Might be less expensive to get a cabin but might be better just to stay at the lodge, I've never {myself} heard of any problems like that.

If there were time for me to take them to Monterey then we could swing by Gilroy...alas so many wonderful places and so little time....

Didn't they already do Hearst? If not, a must. If so (even though I want to join them this time), a pass is possible.

CORRECTION:

Our group of 16 is taking the ENTIRE Scenic compound - Scenic Wonders and Little Scenic. I will ask about another cabin that is close by that may be rented for additional people.

If we only end up with a couple more than 16, I might suggest that we don't get another cabin. There will be inevitable drop-outs between now and then.

Okay, that is where we were headed when we went through Gilroy!!! Then onto San Simeon.

The time we went through Gilroy it was hot and humid and we were following behind a garlic truck!!!!

GAG ME!!! Now, I love garlic, but this was smothering. We had to stop in town for gas and a potty break and I almost passed out.

You can never have too much garlic MW. ymmv, obviously :D

OK!!! We are reserved!!!!

What I did was reserve right now for 10 people because it is easier to add on and charge for the additional 6 people 30 days out. The only wanted one night's deposit up front and the balance will be charged on March 14.

SOOOOOO, the originl 16......your deposit is 1/6 of $527.25 which comes out to $32.95 per person

$32.95!!!! such a deal for paradise!!!!


Mark your calendars because the balance will be due on March 14, 2009.

As for an additional cabin.....

Strawberry Creek is right next door.

The other nearby properties are Yosemite Summit (next door to Strawberry Creek) and Yosemite Pines - across the street.

Kathy is the person I talked to and her number is 888-967-3648.