Eventhough I really like where I live, it doesn't hold a candle to the scenery at Yosemite. In fact I don't think very many places do. Hawaii definitely is right up there, but the past few days at Yosemite have been a scenic cornucopia. The first couple days were foggy and chilly. On the third day, we were pretty much snowed in. Tire chains were required even in the Yosemite Valley! Our rental cabin (which was absolutely fabulous) was up near around 6000 feet. We had about 2 feet of snow and decided to just spend the day walking around the neighborhood checking out the snowy wonderland. The final day, the sun was shining, the roads were clear and we had our first clear views of just about every major Yosemite Valley attraction. Compared to the drab perpetual cloudiness that is the Silicon Valley, Yosemite really is amazing even with snow and fog.

The house we stayed in was simply magnificent. I'm so glad I changed my reservations from the Yosemite View Lodge to this private home up in Yosemite West (near Badger Pass). We were speechless when we arrived and just enjoyed lounging around our snow-blanketed mountain hideaway. I really recommend it. Just ask for the "Yosemite Whispers" house when you book at Yosemite Scenic Wonders. It's a little more than a Yosemite View Lodge, but trust me, the extra $100 per night is worth it for the view alone.

My final recommendation to those that are going to Yosemite is that if you are going in the winter, be sure to save this phone number in your cell phone and on a post-it in your wallet: 372-0200. Choose option 1. Then 1 again for road conditions or 2 for weather. There is nary a broadband connection up there and I'm lucky I saved this phone number in my PPC-6700 before I headed out.

Our Yosemite Trip Photos