On The Fly

“Let’s do it, this morning drive to Glacier Point , the weather is beautiful today, no plans, just spend some time exploring.” Little did we know that the trip would provide an experience we would fall in love with yet again. For our 30 th anniversary, we were drawn once again to the tranquility of Yosemite. Exploring the National Parks - exquisite solitude, exhilaration, and the delight of re-discovery. Once we arrived, no set agenda, just go wherever nature leads you. This year, we arrived in Yosemite early October; the gold and crimson colors were clearly evident. The vibrant colors of fall, mixed with the stark coal-black recent fire damage, tiptoed up the mountain walls. Early mornings, a slight mist hugged the meadows at Wawona, illuminated by a soft diffused light. The air was crisp and cool – many would say downright cold - clean with the fresh scent of wet pines carried on the breeze. Temperatures dropped into the 30s at night. Our vacation home this year

Close your eyes and picture this; it's early evening, a cool crisp breeze in the Western Sierras, relaxing in the parlor of Wawona Hotel , masquerading as the Big Trees Hotel, which opened in 1879, a baby grand in the corner, at the keyboard, piano man, Tom Bopp asks, "Any requests?" "Do you know any Cole Porter?" He winked and smiled, "I could play Cole Porter all night."  Then he launched into: "When the little bluebird Who has never said a word Starts to sing "Spring, spring" When the little bluebell At the bottom of the dell Starts to ring, ding ding When the little blue clerk In the middle of his work Starts a tune to the moon up above It is nature; that's all Simply telling us to fall in love." "Birds do it, bees do it Even educated fleas do it Let's do it; let's fall in love." Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love - Cole Porter 1928 That melody sta