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| How Much Is Hetch Hetchy Water Worth? |
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President Bush's new budget contains an unwelcome
bombshell for San Francisco, a proposal to raise the
rent the city pays for its Hetch Hetchy reservoir in
Yosemite National Park from $30,000 a year to a
whopping $8 million.
The city's representatives in Congress pledged Tuesday
to fight the proposed increase in the rent, which hasn't
gone up in more than 70 years. The proposal comes at
a particularly bad time for San Francisco, which faces a
budget deficit that could hit $300 million.
"This proposal is based on a tight budget. We're looking
at all options and ways to tighten our belt,'' said
Interior Department spokesman John Wright. This
proposal is one of those options that we consider
worthy of consideration.''
Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa, whose district
includes Yosemite, praised Bush's proposal. "It's only
fair that San Francisco pays to use the space in
Yosemite that's taken by the Hetch Hetchy Dam and
Reservoir," Radanovich said in a statement.
To read the full S.F. Chronicle article about the rent increase... »
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| Take a Snowshoe Trip with a Park Ranger |
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It's been a snowy winter in Yosemite for a change, and
opportunities for winter activities abound. If you've
never tried your hand (or is that foot) at snowshoeing,
Yosemite Outdoor Adventures recommends a two-
day outing with park ranger Dick Ewart exploring
the park's snow-covered landscape over the weekend
of March 13 & 14, 2004.
You'll hike (or snowshoe if conditions allow) in Yosemite
Valley and snowshoe at Badger Pass as Dick teaches
you about the unique winter conditions of Yosemite. He
will cover the specific adaptations of plants and animals
to the harsh, high-elevation conditions of winter, but
give you plenty of time for soaking in the incredible
mountain setting.
No snowshoe experience is necessary, and snowshoes
will be supplied. The hiking level will be easy to
moderate, with about 6 miles of hiking each day. Some
rooms in Yosemite Valley have been reserved for course
participants, or you can camp in YA-arranged
campsites. More information will be sent upon
enrollment.
Entitled "Winter Explorations with a Ranger," the 2-day
course is priced at $165. With their 15% discount,
members can enjoy this special winter weekend for
only $140!
To enroll in the showshoe course with Ranger Dick Ewart... »
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| Michael Frye's "Meditations" at Ansel Adams Gallery |
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The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite National Park will
feature the dramatic color landscape work of Yosemite-
based photographer Michael Frye from February 5, 2004
through March 28, 2004. Frye's newest book,
Yosemite Meditations, was recently
published by the Yosemite Association.
The gift book is a beautifully-illustrated collection of
quotations about nature, the environment, and the
national parks, guaranteed to inspire and uplift readers.
Frye's photography graces the pages of the book, and
selected images will be included in the exhibit.
Frye's images have been published in over thirty
countries around the world. His magazine credits
include National Wildlife, Outdoor Photographer,
American Photo, Sunset, and Texas
Highways. He is also in demand as a photographic
instructor.
For more about the exhibition, call The Ansel Adams
Gallery at (209) 372-4413 or visit
www.anseladams.com. Frye's new book, Yosemite
Meditations, retails for $9.95. With their 15% discount,
YA members can buy it now for only $8.46!
For more info or to purchase Yosemite Meditations... »
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| What on Earth Is a Bug Hostel? |
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A privately owned lodge with a memorably odd name,
The Yosemite Bug Hostel, provides a model for how
outlying businesses can make peace with the
concept of using mass transit to visit Yosemite
Valley.
Launched six years ago, the Bug Hostel even built its
own bus turn-out on Highway 140 in the hamlet of
Midpines. There's no arm-twisting here; visitors are
welcome to drive to this lodge, then use cars to enter
the park. But, for those interested in taking transit, the
Bug Hostel makes it easy.
"It's called the Bug Hostel, because we wanted it to be
a contagious experience, in a good way," one of the
hostel owners says. "A hostel is a political, economic
and social statement. People can come and just be who
they are, it makes no difference if you're rich or poor.
Some of our guests may pay $100 a night if they take a
cabin, others as little as $16 for a dorm bed, but they
all are treated equally."
That egalitarian theme extends to transportation.
Guests can arrive driving their own new SUV, or
hitchhike in, or take a YARTS/AMTRAK shuttle from the
Merced train station. For more about the Yosemite
Bug Hostel, call (209) 966-6666 or visit
www.yosemitebug.com.
For an article about the history of the Bug Hostel... »
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| Nevada Barr's New Yosemite Book Is 20% Off! |
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National park mystery writer Nevada Barr has finally
chosen Yosemite National Park as a setting for her
popular series starring ranger Anna Pigeon. Her newest
book entitled High Country finds Anna on an
undercover assignment, disguised as a waitress at The
Ahwahnee.
Anna is detailed to the park after four young people, all
seasonal park employees (including the waitress that
Anna replaces), disappear, and two weeks of work by
crack search-and-rescue teams fail to turn up a single
clue.
Her twenty-something roommates start acting
strangely, while her new restaurant colleagues regard
her with suspicion and fear. But when Anna's life is
threatened and her temporary supervisor turns a deaf
ear, she follows the scent of evil, taking a solo hike up
a snowy trial to the high country, seeking answers. The
remarkable scene she stumbles on is based on an
actual incident in Yosemite history, and dripping with
intrigue and danger.
In her starred review, the reviewer for Booklist
raved about the book and stated: "This is one of
the best entries in a long-running series that
seems to increase its audience with every outing."
Publishers Weekly notes: "Barr has a true
gift for outdoor writing, using the lush snow as
natural cover for the violent life in the wild as well as
among the park's human custodians." High
Country, available only in hardcover, is priced at
$24.95. Readers of this newsletter who purchase the
book before March 1st receive a 20% discount, and
can buy it now for only $19.96! No additional
member discount applies.
To purchase the new Nevada Barr Yosemite mystery...
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