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With your host Jeff Tidwell.

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Camp Dude

Adopt Kevin!

Kevin is a shy boy from the local SPCA. He’s gentle as can be. We think he’s deaf. His primary objective is to hide in a corner. We’ve been working with him for a few days. Bringing him out of his little crate for human contact every couple of hours. He’s doing his best on being housebroken and at least lets us know.

We can’t keep him and are looking for someone with the patience to work with him and adopt him for the long haul. What do you say? Email me at elvispresley@gmail.com or call 415-265-3037.

p.s. He’s strong, so his nickname is Kevin the Tank.

60 on The John Muir Trail

U P D A T E

We did it! Here’s the photo album.

We had a party too. Here’s that album.

I’m turning 60 in July! I’m going on a 4 day backpacking hike on The John Muir Trail, from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley starting July 15th. THE HIKE IS FULL. Consider coming to the party.

For those who aren’t inclined to hike, we’ll have a party on the weekend of July 20-21 at Camp Dude. We can’t accommodate anybody in our house with a few special needs folks taking those spots. There are a few options 1. The new pricey autocamp.com features brand new Airstream trailers and glamping. They are literally right beside our property. Book early, they are going to be packed this summer. 2. The Bug Hostel, groovy scene about 10 minutes from us. They have a variety of options + Euros! 3. Airbnb has a few options for Midpines and nearby Mariposa. The town of Mariposa 7 miles from us has a few so-so hotels.

If you think you might come, please let me know HERE.

The schedule so far.

HIKING:

Sunday, July 14th: Jeff and Kris P (and any other hikers who wish) from Midpines -> 12:00 bus to Yosemite Valley to 4:00 pm bus to Tuolumne Meadows – camp overnight.

Monday, July 15th: Hikers bus or drive to Yosemite Valley. We can park one car at the Ansel Adams Gallery. Contact me to coordinate carpooling. -> 4:00 pm bus from Yosemite Village to Tuolumne Meadows – camp overnight.

Tuesday-Thursday/Friday, July 16th-18th/19th: Hiking from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley floor.

PARTY: 

Friday, July 19th pm:

  • Afternoon arrivals at campsites and Camp Dude.
  • Dinner 7:00 pm in the backyard. Mexican

Saturday, July 20th: 

  • 8-10 a.m Breakfast at the house
  • 1-3:00 pm: Lunch at the house – Gazpacho, grilled shrimp, salad,
  • 7-9:00 pm: Dinner in the backyard. Barbeque, Salads, vegetables, CAKE
  • 9:00 pm: Dance Party at the pool

Sunday, July 21st: 

  • 8 am -12 Noon – Au revoir brunch – Menu TBD

Things to know and plan for:

  • Camp Dude is located at 6357 Highway 140 in Midpines, CA. Our driveway is directly after the AutoCamp campground and across from the Midpines, County Park. There is a small green sign along the road and we’ll put balloons to mark the location.
  • Our driveway is 1/2 mile of gnarly, beaten turf. If you’re in a low car, drive very slowly. It’s always in various states of disrepair, so plan for that. It keeps the riff raff out.
  • No gifts please. Donate to Larkin Street Youth Services if you insist.
  • What to bring: a cooler with ice, your preferred beverage, a barbeque protein (for Saturday dinner), sexy bikinis, beach towel, camping chair,

 

I’ll update this page as the plan develops. Until then, here are some basics and a few links for more on this piece of the trail.

About the hike:

A strenuous 2-4 day backcountry trip full of meadows, mountains, and waterfalls.

Many hikers chose to hike from Tuolumne Meadows to Yosemite Valley starting at Tenaya lake, but this hike offers a slight different perspective, and allows you to stop at the Merced Lake High Sierra Camp as well. The hike is 28 miles each way and can be completed in 2 days each way with an overnight stop at Merced Lake, or can be stretched to as many as 4 days with extra nights at Vogelsang High Sierra Camp and Little Yosemite Valley.

The first day you will gain about 2000 feet of elevation before losing 5000 more, and hiking almost 15 miles on granite can become quite hard on your feet, so wear good hiking boots. You will pass several rivers, lakes, mountains and 2 of the park’s best waterfalls on this backcountry trek, and it is a great way to escape the crowds to see all the Yosemite National Park has to offer.

Whoa!

All Trails – reviews and deets