Activities, National Parks

Yosemite’s Housekeeping Camp

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

YosemitePark has just made a really interesting post about one of the unique camps in Yosemite.  From the “A Short History of the Oddly-Named Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite” post:

Located on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley with an unusual name, Housekeeping Camp straddles the line between camping and hotel accommodations and inspires fierce loyalty among park visitors. With amenities not usually found in campsites such as three walls, a canvas roof, beds, electrical lights and outlets, as well as standard amenities of picnic table and campfire ring, Housekeeping Camp is perennially popular with visiting families. Many of these families return year after year to the same units for easy access to the Merced River’s sandy beaches and activities like rafting and swimming. By examining the origin of Housekeeping Camp and its odd configuration and designation, it is apparent that this particular type of Yosemite accommodation has had great influence on the evolution of national park campgrounds as we know them today.

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National Parks

Yosemite’s Merced River opens to kayaking and rafting

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

Eugene Buchanan has penned a post over at the Adventure Journal website about the new playground that kayakers and rafters have acquired.  From the post:

Kayakers and rafters have a new cliff-lined paddling playground in the heart of Yosemite National Park. While California’s Merced River has long been a hotbed of paddling outside the boundaries of the park, paddlers have now gotten the green light for a coveted section within the park as well. Yosemite National Park recently released its new Wild and Scenic Final Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for California’s Merced River, putting paddling on the same footing as climbing and hiking within the park’s boundaries.

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Inspiration

Nemophilist

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

A nemophilist is a person who loves or is fond of forests, woods, or woodland scenery. The term derives from the Greek words “nemos,” meaning grove, and “philos,” meaning affection or love, describing someone who takes great pleasure in being among trees and in natural wooded environments.

Nemophilists are individuals who find profound joy and solace in the embrace of forests and wooded landscapes. They are drawn to the tranquil beauty and serenity of these natural environments, often seeking refuge from the hustle and bustle of modern life. For a nemophilist, the rustling of leaves, the scent of earth, and the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy are sources of deep contentment and inspiration. This affinity for the woods goes beyond mere appreciation; it is a heartfelt connection to the natural world that rejuvenates their spirit and fosters a sense of peace and belonging.

Wildlife

California officials take down aggressive mountain lion in Orange County

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

 

On March 30th Mission Viejo resident Madison Smith and her two children were out for an afternoon walk on Borrego Trail when a mountain lion began acting aggressively towards them. The big cat stalked the group and came within about 6 feet of her 5-year-old son, which is easy pouncing distance for a full-sized mountain lion.

Luckily, there was another hiker on the trail who began shouting at the lion and throwing rocks at it. This allowed the family to get away.

After a call to 911, Orange County Sheriff deputies and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden located the big 1-year old, 60-lb mountain lion some bushes just a few feet off Borrego Trail at about 5 p.m. Sunday. According to reports, they attempted to scare the animal away, but the big cat wasn’t in the mood. It began acting aggressively towards the officers, showing no fear whatsoever. The DFW game warden was forced to put the animal down.

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Inspiration

First Camp NaNoWriMo of the year kicks off on April 1st…

Posted on by Shawn E. Bell

2014CampNanoParticipant…and i’m nowhere to be found.

It’s been a hectic end of March, and I’ve been working hard to finish up some projects and clear my table for the NEXT big project – getting a film made this year.

Life can be complicated.  But, as I remind other writers constantly, if you want to be an AUTHOR you have to WRITE.  You have to write every day without fail.  Even if it’s only a few thousand words, you have to write.  Your passion for putting pixel to screen or ink to paper has to consume you completely.

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