tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post2239729319717037721..comments2024-03-18T20:48:54.829-04:00Comments on Reflections Around the Campfire: Yosemite National Park - The Ahwahnee Hotel: "Majestic No More" (National Parks Trip #3)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-81996356412777508112023-02-26T20:25:17.015-05:002023-02-26T20:25:17.015-05:00I'm laughing at your waiter's response - w...I'm laughing at your waiter's response - what a quick thinker he was! I would have been quite happy to trade him for Lurch! During our early travels, we didn't make the lodges a priority, and now I wish we had. We missed a number of them, and that's definitely our loss. Our most recent treat was lunch at the Big Meadows Lodge in Shenandoah National Park last spring. The architecture + the food (definitely not Sysco) + the view from the deck outside the dining room = yet another great experience.MARYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06717399651012721086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-61003383279958260082023-02-26T14:15:49.531-05:002023-02-26T14:15:49.531-05:00Breakfast at the Ahwahnee sounds delightful! Eric ...Breakfast at the Ahwahnee sounds delightful! Eric and I always enjoy visiting the National Park lodges for a meal or a cocktail on the patio, while staying in the campground. It's a great plan, isn't it? :-) We haven't been to the Ahwahnee, but your photos make it look so enticing. And your view was fabulous! <br /><br />My only somewhat disappointing experience was at the Grand Canyon a number of years ago. I asked the waiter if the chocolate mousse was made in house, and he diplomatically replied, "Would you like it to be?" I laughed and didn't order it. I had seen a Sysco truck outside, so I suspected it wasn't exactly "farm to table" dining. But I wanted it to be! Laurelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-65895761970715999212023-02-23T15:11:09.673-05:002023-02-23T15:11:09.673-05:00I'm so glad to hear that your State Park was s...I'm so glad to hear that your State Park was saved from complete ruin! I would love to know if Delaware North did, indeed, purchase all the trademarks and service marks they laid claim to. I'm guessing they must have had some kind of proof, but then they did settle for a much lower dollar amount than the damages the lawsuit initially demanded. Makes me wonder. By the way, not only would I have voted for a free meal for you and your husband at the Ahwahnee, but I think they should have comped you a room, too!MARYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06717399651012721086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-5402426175830855212023-02-23T13:16:28.324-05:002023-02-23T13:16:28.324-05:00I am so happy that the Ahwahnee is the Ahwahnee ag...I am so happy that the Ahwahnee is the Ahwahnee again. I'm no fan of Delaware North, both for that (IMHO) bogus lawsuit and the fact that they (also, IMHO) temporarily ruined a local state park when they took over its management. Fortunately, they were run out of town and it's almost back to its former beauty. Interestingly, my BIL worked for Aramark as their western US food service quality manager (or something like that) during this time and Yosemite was one of the locations he was responsible for. Sadly, we never got to take advantage of the relationship to eat at the Ahwahnee for free... it really does seem like we deserved some nepotism, doesn't it? Janis @ RetirementallyChallengedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13337674760088612530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-40494770356188144472023-02-22T12:34:03.416-05:002023-02-22T12:34:03.416-05:00Yosemite vs. First Grandchild - no contest. But t...Yosemite vs. First Grandchild - no contest. But that must have felt like a very long 700 miles. Yosemite has been a tough ticket for a long time. The fires, floods and crowds that you mentioned have impacted many an outdoor enthusiast's plans and, as more people visit, I'm guessing that additional restrictions and reservations will be required. That being said, Bob, I hope you and Betty haven't crossed Yosemite off your list of possibilities entirely yet. The magnificent scenery and the Park's many special places and iconic landmarks are well worth whatever efforts are required to visit. I promise!MARYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06717399651012721086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-49132665286993701662023-02-22T11:35:24.681-05:002023-02-22T11:35:24.681-05:00With all our road trips, in both car and RV, we ha...With all our road trips, in both car and RV, we have never managed to make it to Yosemite. The few times we thought we'd complete a trip, fires, floods, or huge crowds kept us away. Oh, and one time our oldest daughter decided to give birth while we had Yosemite in our sights. Instead, we drove 700 miles home to be there for the birth of our first grandchild,. Your story and photos remind me why missing this National Park remains a disappointment. Bob Lowryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16843991725692979189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-9209462534614664992023-02-22T06:35:16.757-05:002023-02-22T06:35:16.757-05:00Having been fans of National Parks for more than 4...Having been fans of National Parks for more than 40 years, I have to admit that we find the old lodges fascinating and irresistible. I love the sense of history and timelessness. That's probably why the potential loss of the historic names bothered me so much. As for the sign, well, all I can say is that you and I had better not show up there together. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be long before we were thrown out for causing some kind of ruckus. Alan and Sandy would be left to mend the fences.MARYhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06717399651012721086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556831972810821789.post-3504830159411307182023-02-22T00:21:24.363-05:002023-02-22T00:21:24.363-05:00Okay, that's just about enough of teasing abou...Okay, that's just about enough of teasing about parks we've visited but not as thoroughly as having visited this wonderful hotel. I really enjoyed the delicious wording of the sign requesting appropriate decorum. But you knew I would.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com