Yosemite!
I am finally getting around to posting about my trip to Yosemite last week. The park, as I mentioned earlier, really does live up to the hype of being awesome in both the slangy sense and the older sense of inspiring awe.
I drove in from the south on highway 41. At the gate, I happened to glance at the nametag of the ranger in the booth. It said, I kid you not, "Dave Crockett." I am very proud of myself for not cracking up. The road winds through some mountains, past rapidly melting snow (the road, fortunately, was entirely clear). It passes through a long tunnel, then emerges to a jaw-dropping view of Yosemite Valley. I was running late, but I couldn't not stop at the overlook. Immense granite cliffs, still touched with snow, frame a lovely forested river valley. I think what makes Yosemite Valley so appealing is that it combines the sublime (soaring mountains, sheer cliffs, plummeting waterfalls, size and dangers that make a human feel tiny and overwhelmed) with the beautiful (fertile forests and meadows, meandering river, the enclosed space of the valley, sights that make a human heart open up and want to nurture and be nurtured). I drove on through the valley and up another road to Yosemite Institute's Crane Flat campus, at 6,000 feet with ground still snowy, where I met the guy in charge of hiring, some other employees, and the other interview candidates.
Knowing the importance of first impressions, I waited a good 30 minutes after meeting everybody to vomit on the ground. I'd been feeling a tad queasy on the last leg of the drive, and then during our tour, before they'd shown us where the bathrooms were, my nausea grew overwhelming. I have no idea why I threw up. Virus? I had no other symptoms. Carsickness? The roads were extremely winding, but I rarely get carsick, especially not when I'm driving. Something I ate? For a roadtrip my eating choices had been pretty good. Altitude changes? Maybe, although I had some large changes later in my time there and never again felt so ill. I suspect either altitude or sheer nerves. Anyway, I spent the rest of the evening treating my stomach gingerly and had no repeat episodes. I was terribly embarrassed, but at least I managed not to vomit ON anyone.
Thursday I went down to the valley to follow one of YI's educators around. We went through a place called the Spider Caves, which despite the name were arachnid-free. Going through the caves is a team-building exercise, because it's done entirely in the dark and through spaces so tight that at times you have to lie on your side and wiggle feet-first through slots. That was exciting, and something ordinary visitors to the park never know about. We also went to the base of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, which is immense and gorgeous with its heavy spring flow. Unfortunately I forgot my camera that day. YI serves somewhat different kids from my workplace (most often 8th rather than 6th graders and usually from much wealthier communities). I don't know if it was those demographic characteristics, the presence of adult chaperones instead of high school counselors, or just this particular class, but I was slightly amazed at how well-behaved the kids were. They followed directions, even complicated ones, the first time! They almost never talked over anyone! Conversely, they were more blase about being in a truly phenomenal place than my students usually are over a gray squirrel. For the evening the other job candidates and I had a choice of watching a campfire for the kids or going to the El Portal taco truck. El Portal is the tiny, tiny town just outside the park where most YI employees live. (Exciting fact: the El Portal gas station was charging $3.99/gallon (!), compared to the already high $3.20-$3.40 I saw elsewhere on the road trip.) Every other Thursday a taco truck drives up from Mariposa, and this (assisted by the accompanying folks selling beer out of a cooler) is THE major community social event. The line for the so-so Mexican food stretches across the road. Of course all of us job candidates chose the taco truck.
Friday was the actual interviews. First we did the sample teaching presentations. Mine went pretty well, I suppose, although I liked some of the others' presentations better. Afterward that, I went hiking with the other two people who didn't have the individual interviews until afternoon. We went out to Mirror Lake, which as a lake isn't that impressive but has some lovely scenery nearby. At the lake some extraordinarily bold ground squirrels were practically climbing the legs of some Spanish tourists in their quest for free food. Back at YI's offices, I waited for my interview, the last of the day. When I still had somebody to talk to, all was well. I really liked the other interviewees. For the hour of the last interview before mine, however, I had nobody to distract me from getting my stomach all in knots. The interview was as painless as such things can be, being held outside at a picnic table by friendly interviewers. However, as I posted earlier, I don't think I did especially well. Nothing to be done about that now.
Friday night I stayed at a staff house in El Portal. They were having a birthday party from somebody, so there was wine, talk with some amazing people, and eventually dancing. I loved the community, although I don't know if I'm outdoorsy and sportsy or outgoing enough to fit in. Satuday morning I went back down to the valley and hiked up the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls. On Saturday, the warm weather brought out Yosemite's legendary crowds. The trail was a continuous parade of people, and when I later bought a snack in a store I waited 15 minutes in line. The crowds were only slowed down slightly by the gate on the last chunk of trail warning that it was closed. The other hikers said that it is closed this time of year because there is often potential for ice, but since that day's weather was 70˚F, it was safe. I continued up the final 1/3 mile of trail, which another hiker aptly summarized to his buddies: "Dude! These are some Lord of the Rings stairs!" Indeed, they were steep and precarious as what Frodo and Sam climbed to get up the mountains around Mordor. The trial passed close to the waterfall, which was full of snowmelt and thus emitting loads of spray, wetting the slick rocks of the trail and the hikers. In the heat it was fun, though I wouldn't do that hike without a rain coat on a chilly day. The hike and the top afforded some grand views. At the end of the hike I jammed myself into a shuttle bus back to the parking lot, then drove home to SCICON.
I won't know if I got the job until as late as April 27, but even if I don't I still consider the trip well worth the time and expense for the opportunity to see the park and meet some cool people working in my field. If you are interested in visual documentation, I've posted pictures on my Flickr page. Here's a sample:
Yosemite Valley!
I drove in from the south on highway 41. At the gate, I happened to glance at the nametag of the ranger in the booth. It said, I kid you not, "Dave Crockett." I am very proud of myself for not cracking up. The road winds through some mountains, past rapidly melting snow (the road, fortunately, was entirely clear). It passes through a long tunnel, then emerges to a jaw-dropping view of Yosemite Valley. I was running late, but I couldn't not stop at the overlook. Immense granite cliffs, still touched with snow, frame a lovely forested river valley. I think what makes Yosemite Valley so appealing is that it combines the sublime (soaring mountains, sheer cliffs, plummeting waterfalls, size and dangers that make a human feel tiny and overwhelmed) with the beautiful (fertile forests and meadows, meandering river, the enclosed space of the valley, sights that make a human heart open up and want to nurture and be nurtured). I drove on through the valley and up another road to Yosemite Institute's Crane Flat campus, at 6,000 feet with ground still snowy, where I met the guy in charge of hiring, some other employees, and the other interview candidates.
Knowing the importance of first impressions, I waited a good 30 minutes after meeting everybody to vomit on the ground. I'd been feeling a tad queasy on the last leg of the drive, and then during our tour, before they'd shown us where the bathrooms were, my nausea grew overwhelming. I have no idea why I threw up. Virus? I had no other symptoms. Carsickness? The roads were extremely winding, but I rarely get carsick, especially not when I'm driving. Something I ate? For a roadtrip my eating choices had been pretty good. Altitude changes? Maybe, although I had some large changes later in my time there and never again felt so ill. I suspect either altitude or sheer nerves. Anyway, I spent the rest of the evening treating my stomach gingerly and had no repeat episodes. I was terribly embarrassed, but at least I managed not to vomit ON anyone.
Thursday I went down to the valley to follow one of YI's educators around. We went through a place called the Spider Caves, which despite the name were arachnid-free. Going through the caves is a team-building exercise, because it's done entirely in the dark and through spaces so tight that at times you have to lie on your side and wiggle feet-first through slots. That was exciting, and something ordinary visitors to the park never know about. We also went to the base of Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, which is immense and gorgeous with its heavy spring flow. Unfortunately I forgot my camera that day. YI serves somewhat different kids from my workplace (most often 8th rather than 6th graders and usually from much wealthier communities). I don't know if it was those demographic characteristics, the presence of adult chaperones instead of high school counselors, or just this particular class, but I was slightly amazed at how well-behaved the kids were. They followed directions, even complicated ones, the first time! They almost never talked over anyone! Conversely, they were more blase about being in a truly phenomenal place than my students usually are over a gray squirrel. For the evening the other job candidates and I had a choice of watching a campfire for the kids or going to the El Portal taco truck. El Portal is the tiny, tiny town just outside the park where most YI employees live. (Exciting fact: the El Portal gas station was charging $3.99/gallon (!), compared to the already high $3.20-$3.40 I saw elsewhere on the road trip.) Every other Thursday a taco truck drives up from Mariposa, and this (assisted by the accompanying folks selling beer out of a cooler) is THE major community social event. The line for the so-so Mexican food stretches across the road. Of course all of us job candidates chose the taco truck.
Friday was the actual interviews. First we did the sample teaching presentations. Mine went pretty well, I suppose, although I liked some of the others' presentations better. Afterward that, I went hiking with the other two people who didn't have the individual interviews until afternoon. We went out to Mirror Lake, which as a lake isn't that impressive but has some lovely scenery nearby. At the lake some extraordinarily bold ground squirrels were practically climbing the legs of some Spanish tourists in their quest for free food. Back at YI's offices, I waited for my interview, the last of the day. When I still had somebody to talk to, all was well. I really liked the other interviewees. For the hour of the last interview before mine, however, I had nobody to distract me from getting my stomach all in knots. The interview was as painless as such things can be, being held outside at a picnic table by friendly interviewers. However, as I posted earlier, I don't think I did especially well. Nothing to be done about that now.
Friday night I stayed at a staff house in El Portal. They were having a birthday party from somebody, so there was wine, talk with some amazing people, and eventually dancing. I loved the community, although I don't know if I'm outdoorsy and sportsy or outgoing enough to fit in. Satuday morning I went back down to the valley and hiked up the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Falls. On Saturday, the warm weather brought out Yosemite's legendary crowds. The trail was a continuous parade of people, and when I later bought a snack in a store I waited 15 minutes in line. The crowds were only slowed down slightly by the gate on the last chunk of trail warning that it was closed. The other hikers said that it is closed this time of year because there is often potential for ice, but since that day's weather was 70˚F, it was safe. I continued up the final 1/3 mile of trail, which another hiker aptly summarized to his buddies: "Dude! These are some Lord of the Rings stairs!" Indeed, they were steep and precarious as what Frodo and Sam climbed to get up the mountains around Mordor. The trial passed close to the waterfall, which was full of snowmelt and thus emitting loads of spray, wetting the slick rocks of the trail and the hikers. In the heat it was fun, though I wouldn't do that hike without a rain coat on a chilly day. The hike and the top afforded some grand views. At the end of the hike I jammed myself into a shuttle bus back to the parking lot, then drove home to SCICON.
I won't know if I got the job until as late as April 27, but even if I don't I still consider the trip well worth the time and expense for the opportunity to see the park and meet some cool people working in my field. If you are interested in visual documentation, I've posted pictures on my Flickr page. Here's a sample:
Yosemite Valley!