First road sign that says Yosemite!
We have been planning for a winter holiday since middle of last year but it was supposed to be the Big Bear Mountain. But after looking at my friend's pictures when they went to
Yosemite National Park, we decided that maybe that's a better place to go. It is between 5-6 hours drive from OC. So plans were made, hotel was booked, winter stuff were bought like tire chain, his winter overall, snow boots, ear muffs but we couldn't find winter boots for me. Apparently they are not easily found in this Southern California area. They have the regular Ugg boots but I wanted something more outdoor-sy type that I can go trekking in. So we decided to stop at Tulare, a town about 1-1.5 hrs to Oakhurst where our hotel is.
First stop was of course the Super Target but unfortunately they have none either. Upon asking the staff there, we were told of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store just down the road which might carry what I wanted. Since it's already middle of winter, there is really not many choices left but I found one that is easy on my eye (gotta have cute ones!) but the price listed was 85 before tax. If possible I really do not want to spend too much on something that I might use one a year. So I decided to ask one if the guys there if I could get any discount on them. He went somewhere and a few minutes later came back telling me that he could give me them for 60! Yay! So, the next time you shop and want to get a discount on non-discounted items, do not be shy. Just ask for it. You just might get it.
Once we paid for everything, it is time to continue with the drive. Michael is not the type who likes to drive too long and I am afraid of driving in the mountain areas. So he did all the driving while I am in charge of keeping track of the rest areas. Yup, that is usually my job. Id give him updates on how far away is the next rest areas should either one of us need to use the restroom or if we need to fill up the gas!
We reached Oakhurst around 1pm and the check-in time at
Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn Oakhurst was 3pm but when we went in and asked the receptionist, she said we could check-in immediately. Phew! I guess the hotel was not pack so our room is ready. Finding the room is not quite easy since the hotel consist of a few buildings up the hill. But the room is spacious. It only cost us around 80/night and they even have indoor pool. Which brings to another story. We went there all prepared with winter clothing for a rigid winter temperature only to be faced with a rather summer-like temperature. Neither one of us brought our swimming attire so we ended up having to buy them too. Sigh!
Best Western Oakhurst Lobby
Chukchansi Casino
After lunch which was chinese food for me (pretty bad) and pizza for him, we just stayed in the room. Me watching tv while he took a nap. Poor Baby. He gotta be tired after that long drive. When he woke up, we decided to cehck out the casino which was only 15 min drive from our hotel. I was rather surprised to see the parking lot packed. Can't really imagine where all those people came from. Lol! It was also very chilly at night and we were lucky that as we parked the car, there was an open-air bus or tram drove by and asked us if we needed a ride to the hotel. Very good service indeed I must say. We did not stay long at all since it was pretty boring and we had an early day the next morning but I did manage to play the Star Wars penny slots so I was happy.
The queue at the South Gate Entrance. We started the day with breakfast of the champion aka Carl's Jr and started our journey by stopping by at the Tourist Centre just 5min up the road. The 2 older ladies manning the office were very helpful and cheerful and very happy to hear that I am from Malaysia. They wanted to talk but we had to leave and continue up to
Yosemite National Park. The fee to the Park is 20 per car (7 day pass) and for motorbike is 10 each. Do keep the ticket with you because they would ask for it when you drive down.
Road to Mariposa Grove was close to traffic but you are allowed to walk in. We went to Yosemite Valley and wanted to go to Mariposa after that but by the time we get back down it was 3pm and we spent time at Mariposa, we would have to drive down to Oakhurst in completely darkness. So in the end we decided against it. Next time, definitely!
I hope you would enjoy the pictures and story on this part I of our winter holiday at
Yosemite National Park. Do come back for the next post. I took lots of pictures and will try to put most of them in a few posts.
In the background is El Capitan
At first we weren't sure if we really want to cook a whole turkey or just get the turkey breast. In the end we decided to get a whole turkey because eversince we got married, we've never had our very own turkey. The first 2 years of our marriage, we always go to his parents house for Thanksgiving and the 3rd year, we were already here in California.
The invitations were sent a week before Thanksgiving to our friends whom like us, don't have any family here. That will be Shirley and Kevin, another Malaysian living in SoCal and Tab and his family who were here on a business/holiday trip. Once everybody confirmed they are coming, we started planning of what to cook.
Unlike the previous 'parties' where I always have more asian foods than western, this time I try to make more of Michael's food than mine. Our menu that day was rather simple. The turkey was done with minimal marinade. Mashed potatoes with gravy. Corn of a cob. Steamed mixed vegetables. Coleslaw. Sweet bun which were store bought. The only thing asian was the rice which I cooked with a little bit of chicken stock to make it taste a bit like chicken rice to go with the turkey.
Shirley and Kevin who just got back from their emergency trip to Malaysia brought some stuff that my brother and sister-in-law and my friend Bert bought for me. Among the stuff was serunding specially ordered from Kelantan. My favourite! Thank you Rizal, Fara and Bert for buying me the stuff and Shirley and Kevin for bringing them back for me!
Can you see me? :P
To get this view, we had to walk through a forest-like area with slippery ice path and climb a few big boulders.
Tired after all the walking and holding on for my dear life. Walking on ice sure ain't easy!
Trying to find the best way to get pass the boulder
The icy path to get to the falls
This one looks like we're in Narnia
This is the beginning of the icy path. It was cold as hell too.
First road sign that says Yosemite!
First stop was of course the Super Target but unfortunately they have none either. Upon asking the staff there, we were told of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store just down the road which might carry what I wanted. Since it's already middle of winter, there is really not many choices left but I found one that is easy on my eye (gotta have cute ones!) but the price listed was 85 before tax. If possible I really do not want to spend too much on something that I might use one a year. So I decided to ask one if the guys there if I could get any discount on them. He went somewhere and a few minutes later came back telling me that he could give me them for 60! Yay! So, the next time you shop and want to get a discount on non-discounted items, do not be shy. Just ask for it. You just might get it.
Once we paid for everything, it is time to continue with the drive. Michael is not the type who likes to drive too long and I am afraid of driving in the mountain areas. So he did all the driving while I am in charge of keeping track of the rest areas. Yup, that is usually my job. Id give him updates on how far away is the next rest areas should either one of us need to use the restroom or if we need to fill up the gas!
We reached Oakhurst around 1pm and the check-in time at Best Western Yosemite Gateway Inn Oakhurst was 3pm but when we went in and asked the receptionist, she said we could check-in immediately. Phew! I guess the hotel was not pack so our room is ready. Finding the room is not quite easy since the hotel consist of a few buildings up the hill. But the room is spacious. It only cost us around 80/night and they even have indoor pool. Which brings to another story. We went there all prepared with winter clothing for a rigid winter temperature only to be faced with a rather summer-like temperature. Neither one of us brought our swimming attire so we ended up having to buy them too. Sigh!
Best Western Oakhurst Lobby
Chukchansi Casino
The queue at the South Gate Entrance. 
Road to Mariposa Grove was close to traffic but you are allowed to walk in. We went to Yosemite Valley and wanted to go to Mariposa after that but by the time we get back down it was 3pm and we spent time at Mariposa, we would have to drive down to Oakhurst in completely darkness. So in the end we decided against it. Next time, definitely!
I hope you would enjoy the pictures and story on this part I of our winter holiday at Yosemite National Park. Do come back for the next post. I took lots of pictures and will try to put most of them in a few posts.
In the background is El Capitan
Image taken from geekhiker.wordpress.com
A tall Xmas tree at Citadel Outlet in L.A.
Citadel Outlet was opened from 11pm Thursday until 10pm Friday. This was taken around 4.30pm just before we left. We were there since 12pm.
Obviously I didn't buy much at the outlet. I only go to the stores that didn't have
