| To Main Page | Travel Page | Yosemite | Snow Storm |
| December 15, 2006 found us again in Yosemite. We stayed at the Ahwahnee Hotel for the gala Bracebridge dinner, a magnificent presentation of gourmet food and entertainment in the old English style. But more about that further down; let's first see what the hotel has to offer. |
| Despite the fact that this is "The Hotel" in Yosemite, the entrance is not very impressive. We walked along this wooden passage (albeit with red carpets) to the lobby and checked in at the front desk. Our luggage followed the same way. We were assigned rooms on the third floor overlooking Glacier Point, across the valley, and the gardens down below; nice rooms. |
 |
 |
| Throughout this classic building, built in 1927, you will see photographs of days gone by and scenic places in Yosemite. Many originals by Ansel Adams are on the walls. The hallways on each floor offer something different to look at, but always with a pleasant, rich decor. |
 |
 |
| The Great Hall is huge with comfortable couches where one can enjoy the fire place and listen to the piano music played by artists on two Steinways in the center. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Behind the great hall are three smaller rooms. One is the Solarium with picture windows almost up to the ceiling. This is a nice room to play some games on stormy days. The following evening four of us played Mexican Train, a domino game. Outside, snow continued to coat the valley white. |
 |
 |
| Another room of note is the Winter Club Room with original photos by Ansel Adams. It was in this room that our hostess, Emily, told us the history of the Bracebridge dinner. Her story was embellished with quotes of famous persons that were read by some members of the audients. |
 |
 |
| The Dining Room is a most impressive hall. Large logs supporting the roof rest on walls of granite boulders and concrete posts (finished to look like huge tree trunks). The large windows in the back alcove present a great view of Yosemite Falls. For the Bracebridge dinner this area is transformed into the stage for the Squire and his court. The red carpeted corridor serves as the entry of many players during this four hour presentation. |
| Before the start of the dinner show we were gathered in the Great Hall for some champagne, pictures and a sing-along of Christmas carols. |
 |
 |
| When the trumpets signaled the start of the show, we were escorted to our table by pages and minstrels in their beautiful costumes. We were very fortunate to have a table about twelve feet from the stage and right along the red carpet where all the action took place. The story, the history and the characters involved are a site all by themselves. But the interesting part is that, for each of the seven courses of the grand feast, there are special presentations of food for the squire's approval (plum pudding for example). In addition, the local forest people are invited, leading to a long parade of farmers including several young children in old English costumes. The jester clowns around making everyone laugh with his antics. Et cetra, et cetra. |
 |
 |
| After the show we met some of the performers. These are mostly professional actors from the San Francisco Bay Area who come here year after year for the eight performances. The Housekeeper, in black dress, is Andrea Fulton who has come here for fifty-six years starting as a child at the age five. |
 |
 |
| The following morning it was time for a dip in the outdoor pool and a hike to Mirror Lake. That is when a snow storm arrived and caught us by supprise. When we returned, we found Evan taking care of the fireplace and some of the performers practicing and just having fun at the piano. (click here to see pictures of the snow storm that greeted us) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
