YOSEMITE WCKCC Sat. May 3rd

[Sitting Duck]

We are planning a spectacular one day meet on Saturday May 3rd to Yosemite.
There should be lots of wild flowers blooming and plenty of water cascading down the waterfalls. What could be better than cruising with your Kappa brethren through Yosemite Valley in the spring?

Unfortunately, they have increased the park admission fee again so come prepared.
Entrance Fees
Car, RV, etc. ($25 in '08) Valid for 7 days


For those of you who are coming from the northern district;
We will meet in Oakdale at Cindy's Restaurant, 800 N Yosemite Ave between 8:30 and 9am. We would like to leave as close to 9am as possible. From there we will head to Yosemite on 120 for 90 miles to Yosemite Village for lunch. From there we will head to Glacier Point which will take an additional hour. So as you can see this will be a full day.

Gas up in Oakdale. It gets even more expensive as you get closer to Yosemite. From Oakdale to the entrance gate at Big Oak Flat was 67 miles and about 1 1/2 hours then an additional half hour to the Valley Floor. When we get to the intersection of 140/41 we can go to Arch Rock from that point and travel 4 miles to the Arch Rock Entrance, flip around and head right back towards the valley floor all going through Arch Rock.

New Priest Grade: This is Highway 120 and is 6 miles and very curvy. In the East bound direction (uphill) the passenger will be sitting on the outside of the hill, overlooking the edge. Busses and trucks use this route. It tends to flow at somewhere between 20 and 30 miles per hour.

Old Priest Grade: This is a narrow country road, not a State Highway and is half the curves of New Priest Grade, a third the distance, very steep at three times the pitch and flows at 20-25 miles per hour or less.

From the fish hatchery, you can go either the 6.5 mile winding "New" Priest Grade (Hwy 120) or the short cut...the "Old Priest Grade", which the locals prefer. This is a narrower road, but you climb 1,575 feet in a bit over 2 miles because it is a very steep 17% grade at some places. Delivery trucks and RV's stay off this road, so you won't get stuck behind one. It is much less curvy than the longer route. It also put's the passenger on the hill side of the road and not looking off the edge into Grizzly Gulch.


For those of us coming from the Southern and Central Distict.
We could figure out our own meeting spot or individually we could just meet up with the northern contingent at the Deli for lunch at Yosemite Village around 11:30am. After lunch will will cruise the valley floor, check out some waterfalls, and head up to Glacier Point as a group.
We will communicate via this thread and figure it out as we go.

I have attached a map that show the various routes into the park. The northern contingent with be taking the 120, but there is also Hwy 140 and Hwy 41 for us coming up from the south.

We will be having lunch at the Deli. I am not sure if we will order in advance or not. It could save us a lot of time if we do. I think we will take orders in the parking lot of Cindy's/Oakdale before we depart and call them in.

Here is what the menu has. You have your choice of breads, they have about 10 different ones, all come with lettuce & tomato.
1) Ham & swiss
2) Turkey & swiss
3) Roast Beef & Cheddar
4) Salami, Ham & Pepperoni
5) Gilled Chicken & Swiss
6) Vegetarian
7) Tuna

After lunch we can attempt some photo shoots along the valley floor and visit some waterfalls. The drive to Glacier Point will take us about 45 to 50 minutes, but well worth the drive up, the views are remarkable.
There is plenty of parking and snacks and restrooms at the top now.

After we get done at Glacier Point I think it is pretty much a done deal at that point and everyone can head back down the mountain. Once at the intersection you can choose your best route back home. Some might be staying over in the valley or close by. Many of us will travel home together and meet for dinner. We will leave this open for now.

I really hope you all can make it.

[Sitting Duck]

Here are a few picture from the run Gothunda organized last fall.

Oh, by the way...I plagiarized from some of her original thread to help me plan the May 3rd itinerary. (why re-invent the wheel?)

[SXY SKY in CA]

We had such a great day in October...the thought of repeating it with even more Kappas is that much more exciting. I am confident that GoThunda will be happy to lead us again into Yosemite Here's a couple more pictures to whet your appetite and gas up your Kappa.

If you plan to participate please put your name below and let us know if you want to order lunch. In GoThunda's absence (she and Ed are cruising the Carribean) please see the lunch options in the post from Sitting Duck and PM me with your lunch order.

Forum Name......Car Make............Number.........Lunch

Sxy Sky............Sky.......................1........ .......Yes

[Sitting Duck]

Forum Name.............Car Make............Number.........Lunch

Sxy Sky....................Sky.......................1 ........ .......Yes
Sitting Duck (Orlando)..Sol.......................2............ ....Yes
SOS..........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Gizmo........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Borg60......................Sol................... .....2................Yes
BigDog......................Sky................... ....2.................Yes

[fkeillor]

Sal,

Don't think we will be able this one. Family commitments that week end. However if things change we'll be there.

[lazypersondotcom]

Originally Posted by Sitting Duck

Forum Name.............Car Make............Number.........Lunch

Sxy Sky....................Sky.......................1 ........ .......Yes
Sitting Duck (Orlando)..Sol.......................2............ ....Yes
SOS..........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Gizmo........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Borg60......................Sol................... .....2................Yes
BigDog......................Sky................... ....2.................Yes

lazypersondotcom.......Sky....................1/2 (dont know yet)... probably will

[Sitting Duck]

Originally Posted by lazypersondotcom

lazypersondotcom.......Sky....................1/2 (dont know yet)... probably will

Great!

We look forward to meeting you. Welcome to the forum and our Kappa family.

Here is the web link to our the West Coast Kappa Car Club site.

Index

We do not have to be a member to attend any of our activities. After you get to know our motley crew you will be compeled to join our family.

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by Sitting Duck

Forum Name.............Car Make............Number.........Lunch

Sxy Sky....................Sky.......................1 ........ .......Yes
Sitting Duck (Orlando)..Sol.......................2............ ....Yes
SOS..........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Gizmo........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Borg60......................Sol................... .....2................Yes
BigDog......................Sky................... ....2.................Yes

Well, as much as we want to go we will have to pass this time. :-(

[StarlightSky]

I think Barb and I will want to go on this one too. We just saw some news clips on the park and Bridal Veil Falls is gushing as good as it ever has due to the snow pack this year. ahh, spring time in the Sierras, how can you beat that?

[1Chance]

Originally Posted by bigdog

Well, as much as we want to go we will have to pass this time. :-(

Pete,
I am sorry to hear you and Niles won't be making this one. Seems like you guys have been able to go to just about all of our runs!

Originally Posted by StarlightSky

I think Barb and I will want to go on this one too. We just saw some news clips on the park and Bridal Veil Falls is gushing as good as it ever has due to the snow pack this year. ahh, spring time in the Sierras, how can you beat that?

John,
Is that really you? Glad to hear you are going to be able to break away from work for a bit! We've missed you guys!

I myself am hoping to make it, though don't know for sure. The falls at "full throttle" are extremely hard to pass up!

Mike

[GoThunda]

Of course Ed and I will make it. We are sitting in San Juan, Puerto Rico right now and missing our Sky, it has been planes, cruise ships and taxis all week for us. We head home tomorrow and are thrilled to be going straight from the airport to the Hockey Arena our team has made it into the playoffs!!!! Life is good!! Ed and Barb

Forum Name.............Car Make............Number.........Lunch

Sxy Sky....................Sky.......................1 ........ .......Yes
Sitting Duck (Orlando)..Sol.......................2............ ....Yes
SOS..........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Gizmo........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Borg60......................Sol................... .....2................Yes
BigDog......................Sky................... ....2.................Yes
GoThunda..................Sky..................... ...2.................Yes

[ebonysky]

We can't make this one, because of a Saturday Business Expo here in Napa. As business owner's we will be a participant. I really wanted to make this run and drive through Yosemite at this time of year.

And talking about Napa, look for Ebonysky's posting that will describe the plans that have been made for a June 22 Lunch Run cruising Napa Valley to our lunch location...Safari West Wildlife Preserve. "Discover the spirit of Africa in the heart of the wine country" is the theme of this special monthly lunch run. Get signed up early!

[LE Chief]

After the Great San Luis run this weekend, how could we pass up on this one.

See you in Oakdale and the two of us for lunch on the Valley Floor.

[SXY SKY in CA]

Originally Posted by LE Chief

After the Great San Luis run this weekend, how could we pass up on this one.

See you in Oakdale and the two of us for lunch on the Valley Floor.

Great...be sure to give me your lunch order!

[SXY SKY in CA]

Originally Posted by gothunda

Of course Ed and I will make it. We are sitting in San Juan, Puerto Rico right now and missing our Sky, it has been planes, cruise ships and taxis all week for us. We head home tomorrow and are thrilled to be going straight from the airport to the Hockey Arena our team has made it into the playoffs!!!! Life is good!! Ed and Barb

Forum Name.............Car Make............Number.........Lunch

Sxy Sky....................Sky.......................1 ........ .......Yes
Sitting Duck (Orlando)..Sol.......................2............ ....Yes
SOS..........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Gizmo........................Sol.................. .....2................Yes
Borg60......................Sol................... .....2................Yes
Ebonysky...................Sky................... ....2.................Yes
GoThunda..................Sky..................... ...2.................Yes

Barb it was good to speak with you this morning - glad you had a great time on your cruise. Thanks too for offering to do a "run" over to Yosemite and search out alternatives for those of us who were on the October Yosemite run. We do know that we want to see Bridal Veil falls for sure, and the meadows too. After that whatever you come up with (since the sun will be with us longer than it was in October) I am sure will be terrific.

NOTE to all participants: Be sure to PM me your lunch order by April 28th. See Sal's posting for a list of sandwiches available.

NOTE to all "would be" participants: This promises to be a terrific day and you'll kick yourself if you don't come along!

Sonia
WCKCC Northern District Rep