Yes, we went back to Yosemite again this weekend -- this makes three times in three weeks! This time we visited an area called Wawona where there is an old hotel, a small history museum, and a collection of old cabins and other buildings hauled in from other parts of the park. I thought that maybe I'd like to take my 4th graders there next year, but it's a bit too far and also simply can't compete with the breathtaking wonder of Yosemite Valley. However, I really enjoyed poking around the old buildings; peering through wavy-glassed panes of glass into dimly-lit interiors. I love that kind of stuff.
Bruce has been keeping his eye out for a special teddy bear to get grandbaby James. Being a bear of sorts himself, Bruce apparently had quite the long mental checklist of qualities that
the right bear for James had to possess. Until yesterday, no bear has been able to meet all of his exacting qualifications. And then {trumpet fanfare!} he saw a promising prospect in a bin with other bears in the museum gift shop. While I was over in the book section (pretending not to know him), Bruce thoroughly interviewed the bear. He must have liked what he heard, because the bear made it to...
... the all-important sandwich test. The bear passed with flying colors!
The bear was immediately paid for and we triumphantly set off for an official photo shoot in front of Half Dome.
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Mr. Bear Sends Greetings to James
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While we were posing the bear on the wall and taking pictures, a tour bus pulled over and a stream of tourists trooped out. Not one of them gave us more than a passing glance as they filed by. Either the beauty of the view so completely captivated them that they never even noticed that two adults were taking pictures of a stuffed bear (entirely likely), or else they'd been in California long enough to accept this as business-as-usual for these parts (also entirely likely).
The bear will be boxed up and shipped off with love to Maryland next week. We hope you like him, James!
Pretending not to know him!?
ReplyDeleteOf course the tune changed when it came time to actually share the sandwich. "You're driving, I'll hold that for you." A few moments later, she's offering me "all" of the plastic wrap that protected the now dwindling sandwich. And she graciously shared a fraction of the last bite, "No,not all of it!!!" I was afraid to chew it.
In my defense, it was a very good sandwich and I was hungry. And I did offer him a stick of gum. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteDid you know some brands of gum offer "advice/fortunes" that make your life a living hell? While holding said piece of gum just out of reach, I was treated to 15 of these little jewels of wisdom (along with periodic admonishments to focus on driving) before she jammed it into my parched mouth. Talk about sucking the joy from your soul..."flossing regularly will remove food from between the teeth, increasing the flavor and enjoyment of this gum." Or "chewing gum improves your attitude."
ReplyDelete...my life.
Hmmm...well, chewing gum certainly didn't improve SOMEBODY'S attitude. Perhaps a bigger stick of gum?
ReplyDeleteI would like to hear some of these interview questions asked to the bear. I'm sure James will love him! He currently sleeps with a bear named Cashew, a noise making giraffe and an Easter frog. Also, he's recently been trying to take the underwear off of the Build-A-Bear that dad bought me a few years ago. I suppose to should get him some clothes... Thanks for thinking of us! :)
ReplyDeleteYour dad and I have had a lot of fun on our Bear Quest. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like James' crib is well-populated with critters! Well, the new bear will fit right in with the menagerie (and, fortunately, he's rather small).
Now to find a bear-sized box... :)