| Our Top Ten Ranger Jokes Will Crack You
Up |
 |
 At the end of July, we asked our members and readers to
submit their favorite (and preferably funny) ranger jokes. We
offered scintillating prizes for the ten best humorous bits
(as determined by our arbitrary judges). The jokes and riddles
didn't exactly pour in, but we did receive plenty of entries.
We're pleased to announce that Jim Bearden took the top
prize (an XL Yosemite Birding Festival t-shirt, a Yosemite
Meditations book, and a copy of the new photo book
entitled The Ahwahnee - Yosemite's Grand Hotel) for his
joke about the Yosemite visitors who decided to try ice
fishing.
If you are one of the winners on our list of top ten ranger
jokes, please get in touch with us by e-mail at
info@yosemite.org (you can use the link at the bottom of this
page), and we'll get your prize speeding its way to you.
We send thanks for everyone who sent an entry, and
encourage all of you to work to improve your material!
For the
list of winning ranger jokes... »
|
| Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Wilderness
Act |
|
 Forty years ago, on September 3, 1964, President Lyndon
Johnson signed the Wilderness Act. The goal of this pivotal
legislation was to "secure for the American people of present
and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource
of Wilderness."
This year Americans everywhere are celebrating forty years
of Designated Wilderness in the United States - a true
American legacy. A number of anniversary products have
recently become available that commemorate this special
milestone.
First, a colorful enamel pin was developed by a consortium
of wilderness managing agencies to call attention to the date
and to the need to ensure that the 105 million acres of
wilderness we have today remain wild for future generations to
enjoy.
Second, the Yosemite Association has developed a special
40th anniversary t-shirt, in both long- and short-sleeved
versions, that is mocha brown and garment-washed, featuring a
full-color reproduction from a wood block print by Chiura
Obata entitled 'Clouds, Upper Lyell Trail' and dated 1930. The
type above and below the image reads: "Sierra Nevada
Wilderness - Celebrating Forty Years of Protection."
Get your anniversary pins and t-shirts today while they are
still available. Remember, Yosemite Association members
receive a 15% discount on these items, which sell for $5
(pin), $16 (short-sleeved tee), and $20 (long-sleeved tee),
respectively.
For
more about the Wilderness Act 40th Anniversary products...
»
|
| YA's Virginia Ferguson Wins Yosemite Fund
Award! |
|
 Yosemite Association volunteer extraordinaire, Virginia
Ferguson, recently had her remarkable contributions to the
park recognized when she was presented with the 2003 Yosemite
Fund Award.
For the past ten years, Virginia has spent the months of
May through September camping in Yosemite Valley and working
without pay in a variety of positions. Over that time, she has
played a key role in coordinating YA's volunteer program,
organizing as many as 100 volunteers every summer.
Yosemite Fund officials presented the award -- $2,500 and a
commendation -- during an August 4 ceremony in Yosemite
Valley. "I am truly honored by this award, which I share
with all of my fellow Yosemite volunteers," she said.
"After 10 years at the park, it's rewarding to see the many
tangible results of thousands of volunteer hours."
Everyone at YA congratulates Virginia for this well-
deserved honor and for her impressive record of service to
Yosemite. She has inspired hundreds of other YA member
volunteers, who are making a real difference at the park.
Thanks to all of you who give so much on our behalf!
For
more about Virginia Ferguson and her award... »
|
| Special Sale Price on Sierra Wildflower
Guide |
|
 We ordered too many copies of one of our favorite
wildflower books this summer, and that translates into an
opportunity to save money for our members and readers!
For a limited time, we're offering Elizabeth Horn's fine
work entitled Sierra Nevada Wildflowers at
considerable savings.
The guide is organized alphabetically by common family
names and tells you what you need to know to identify more
than 300 species of flowering plants - and where to look for
them. Crisp color photographs face the text, allowing you to
compare the flowers you see with those in the book.
Order soon and you can purchase this handy and helpful
volume at a a 25% discount from the regular price of
$16.00. You'll save $4 and add a terrific wildflower
reference book to your collection for only $12. Use the link
below to learn more.
To
purchase Sierra Nevada Wildflowers at 25% off... »
| |
| New Web Cam View of Yosemite High Country is
Spectacular! |
 |
| The Yosemite Association recently installed a second
web camera, this one just below Sentinel Dome and above
Glacier Point. With its magnificent view of Half Dome and the
Tuolumne high country beyond, the camera is sure to provide
images that will be particularly impressive in winter and
during stormy weather.
Our new camera was donated by our friends at StarDot
Technologies in Southern California; the company has provided
all the cameras we've used at the Turtleback Dome location,
too. Special thanks to Vance Kozik and his associates at
StarDot for their generous support and technical help.
The local employees of SBC Communications, both in
Yosemite and Merced, also provided plenty of assistance with
the installation of the new camera, and we extend them our
appreciation.
We've got plans to add another camera or two in the coming
months, so keep checking our "Virtual Yosemite" page for new
developments on the web cam front!
For the
current view from the new web cam...
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