| Author | Message | ||
     Acorn |
This is the reroofing at Ahwahnee. So far they seem to mostly be working on the dining room area, but I think the plan was to do the whole roof. Hopefully take care of some of the problems they've been having with leaks. Ahwahnee Hotel Roof Construction | ||
| Acorn |
Well, at least they're recycling the roofing... "Own an actual piece of the historic Ahwahnee hotel. The Ahwahnee slate roof is being rehabilitated. The old slate is being recycled making the perfect engraved gift for you and your family! http://www.yosemitegifts.com/hadoslpl.html?tname=home5 " | ||
| mark |
I saw that. I had mixed feelings. There's nothing wrong with that I guess, but how is it that the original slate roof, a natural material made of stone needed replacing in the first place? That's the part I'm missing. That Delaware North saw those pieces of slate as a way to "incrementally" increase their income shouldn't surprise anyone, of course, as they don't miss a beat when it comes to seeing a chance to make money. But, they are replacing real slate on the roof of the Ahwahnee…with what? I understand that the slate is about 75 years old, but it's slate for crying out loud. How is it that a slate roof may have worn out, at all? I’m not saying something’s wrong with that, I just don’t know. I always thought slate lasted forever… | ||
| A note from the link. |
When The Ahwahnee was completed in 1927, it was said that Architect, Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed the hotel to “last as long as the granite walls of Yosemite Valley.” | ||
| mark |
Doesn't it seem odd to anyone that a "piece of old slate roofing"...could be..."carefully removed from The Ahwahnee, then engraved to create a memento of your Yosemite Experience"? Maybe they'll eventually pull out all the old dishes and start selling them off too, for a momento of our Yosemite Experience? Or, maybe they're already doing that... By "carefully removed" does that mean that no one has caught them yet? | ||
| Dot |
Now my interest has risen! That is pretty amazing. I can tell you that they will never catch me buying a piece of that or any other roof. Just something else for someone to throw out after I'm long gone. To me, that isn't even Yosemite. That is something that didn't even come from Yosemite originally. Now---my head is reeling and I will have to check my sources ASAP--but they do sell the Ahwahnee dishes in the gift shop. Are they old or new? I never thought about that. And--somewhere in the back of my mind; I remember something being said about those very dishes. Hey----maybe the flood loosened some of those tiles and they had to be replaced? They blamed the flood for everything else---why not those tiles? If they intend to sell them you can bet it will be QUITE a few. | ||
| Russ |
"Old" slate,...as opposed to,..."new" slate(??)Mark,I think youre right about slate lasting a long time (Duh). Why not patch the leaks, and "replace" the slate? (now theres a novel approach) Deleware North,..all you had to do was mention the name. Companies like this will never understand that the Yosemite "experience", is not something you can hold in your hand. | ||
| cynical sam |
Russ you are so right! The Yosemite experience is something you feel in your bones, in your whole being. They don't get "IT". They are a corporattion and all they care about is the bottom line. | ||
| Anonymous |
Old slate is an understatement. The slate will exist longer than any of us, and has been around even longer. I would guess that it is the integrity of the subroofing and the shifting and settling of a building that is 76 years old that lead to the need to restore a failing roof. The statement that the roof would last longer than the walls of Yosemite was the boasting of a mortal. He was correct in saying the slate would last, but boasting that it would last as a sound roof? That is a stretch! Replacing the roof with a historically approved modern roofing material would not come at a low cost. Replacing it with slate would be even higher. Any weather damage done to the structure under the slate could lead to the demise of a grand hotel, if it were left unrepaired. DNC does not own the hotel -- we do. Is it our desire that our renters ignore the needed repairs to retain the original building intact? Maybe we should look for answers from Mr. Underwood or the contractor regarding the materials used -- heck 76 years is pretty good. What would we have to complain about? The building is still standing. So are the valley walls. I am glad that they are not dumping the slate shingles in a pile in some dump. I am sure that an action like that would raise another round of concern from some of the group who post, here. The postage would kill me, but I would take enough slate to pave my patio. I could dream that I was standing on the top of the Ahwanhee every time I walked out to enjoy some (almost)fresh air. | ||
| Dot |
That post was a breath of fresh air and I thoroughly enjoyed the positive attitude. I do agree; I doubt anyone would want to or go to all the work and expense of adding a new roof---just because. I still feel that owning and buying a piece of that roof would be useless to me. But; I do like your idea of the patio. I don't think the roof is hallowed and would not have found it offensive had it been just dumped. But perhaps many others don't feel the same and will enjoy owning part of that old roof. | ||
| mark |
"The Yosemite "experience", is not something you can hold in your hand." Ha. I like that, Russ. You are so right. I agree, Anon; you said, "I am glad that they are not dumping the slate shingles in a pile in some dump." Me too. But, don't you wonder what happened to all the rocks from the old hwy 140 wall? The idea of some new, man-made material replacing that roof scares me. I do hope that they are still using the real slate in the repairs. But, what do we care? From the ground it probably all looks the same. Those big Sugar Pine rafters in the dinning room look great, even though they're made out of cement. | ||
| Dot |
Mark---The existing rocks from the original infamous wall were probably just dumped over the side! In fact---it was always very imposing and when driving it, I called it THE WALL. That road was very narrow. Has anyone ever stopped and looked over the side? As for the ROOF----this is by no means first hand information----possibly third hand. But--I heard that it was leaking and that there were some construction problems from years gone by. Plus, it seems the slate was quite thin which would make it vulnerable for a number of reasons. As for selling the old dishes---No. The ones in the gift shop are new. My wish is just for an old cup from which to drink my tea. But--that seems to be a wish that will go unfullfilled. | ||
| mark |
I wouldn’t think that they would have dumped the rocks over the edge, personally. Plus, I have climbed up and down in that area a fair amount only this year, and I think I would have noticed it if they'd pushed the rocks over the edge. I just thought of them because they may have been just rocks, but they were Yosemite granite, and all manually shaped to a degree, back when people knew how to do those things. They’d make a great rock wall and barbeque in my back yard! You see a lot of river rock granite used in construction, walls and fireplaces, but those old hand shaped granite stones would sure look nice as a fireplace in my living room! As for the roof, I'm sure they didn't pull it apart for no reason. I don’t know all the reasons that they couldn’t reuse them, etc. But, can you imagine what it would cost to roof a house with real slate shingles these days? It would cost as much as the whole house, I am guessing. As for that Ahwahnee cup of which you seek, it’s probably on ebay from time to time. I did a quick check for you, but came up empty. There is a couple of Ahwahnee creamers up for auction right now. One’s got a bidder at $3.99. Normally, I would bet you could find one there, but it may not be cheap. You have to resist the temptation to outbid those other bidders. They may want it more than you do. Patience is the ticket. There’s always another auction on another day. Now Dot, we wouldn't want to read about you in the Yosemite Guide's "Wanted Dead or Alive" section, for sneaking out of the dining hall with a cup and saucer. I hope you pick one up legitimately! I do have an old Ahwahnee serving platter that I got on ebay a few years ago. I don’t know why I bought it. Just thought it was neat looking. I just happen to see it and clicked the bid button and turned out to be the high bidder. It’s kind of fun to pull out and use on occasion. I think the last time I used it was when I cooked that steelhead that I caught last year. You know, the one I wished I’d let go? The one that I felt guilty about? And, you know what? No one ever recognizes the Ahwahnee pattern. I thought some people would recognize the pattern as I did. But, I guess it’s just for my own personal pleasure, like that coffee cup you want. If I see one I’ll let you know about it. I’m sure one will turn up on ebay soon. | ||
| Patti |
Hey Mark, will you please post a picture of that platter some time? I don't have anything like that, but I did manage to get a Jim Beam Yosemite decanter a while back. Of course, it was empty (it originally contained bourbon whiskey). But hey, I didn't buy it for the whiskey. I bought it because it was "Yosemite." | ||
| mark |
Actualy, the pattern is nothing special, just the old Ahwhahnee design, which seems to have weathered many generations. But, sure I could take a photo and put it up on here. By the way, did that Jim Beam give you a Yosemite Experience? | ||
| Patti |
 Repeat: "Of course, it was empty (it originally contained bourbon whiskey)." Hmmm, I guess I didn't specify that it was empty when I received it, did I?! Besides, I'd much rather have my "Yosemite Experience" while I'm "Stone Cold Sober," as I have too much driving time (1,700+ miles one way!) and too much money (which doesn't grow on any Oklahoma trees that I know of!) invested in the trip to begin with!! | ||
| Acorn |
I like the patio idea. You think if you went to pick it up, offer to 'dispose' of it they would... Nope, probably unless there was a way to make a buck. Sigh... | ||
| mark |
Are you talking about the rock from "THE WALL", as Dot described it? Or, they could knock a hole in a wall of the LeConte Memorial building and use some of that rock to build an annex for "The Friends of YosemiteCampers.com", an oversight committee that could supervise the new "few low profile campsites" when they get put in at Upper River... Heh. Actually, Acorn, I think I had first dibbs on those rocks, didn’t I? I've already drawn up the blue prints for my new fireplace in my head. I had to laugh with Dot’s reference to “THE WALL”, and how scary it was. I used to think it was so great. A big national park and that old road as a small remaining piece of history of a time when far, far less people came and went per day. I bet “the wall" wasn't so intimidating in 1927 or so, when it was built, when cars were driving in at about 20 miles an hour, and there were probably only about one car per hour on the road at best. Imagine some of those old timers if they were to do a little time travel, so we could get their impressions of what the valley looks like now, 150 or so years after they came through. I don’t think Fredrick Law Olmsted Sr. would approve of the “incremental” changes that took place during all these years since he first visited the park, nor do I think that any of the early, or original people would be too impressed with the changes. Imagine what it would be like to have a new 2004 Yosemite Valley Plan that would incrementally change it all back to as close to what it was like in 1850 as possible, but just enough per year so that it takes about half the amount of time to revert the whole valley back to what it once was, in 1850. That would be interesting. As you said, when things are done in such small steps, no one notices. What if the reverse were planned? Hmmm. | ||
| Dot |
I wish that old wall was still there as it was part of the "Yosemite Experience" for me. My husband----for so many years, simply wouldn't let me drive the car. Period. I don't know if it was just a quirk--but HE drove. It was OK for me to take the kids everywhere; but not with him in the car. Well, finally. one year he got tired on the way to Yosemite. I became the designated driver. Of course, the back seat driving was in full force. Well, when he wanted to take the wheel again---I just kept driving. Then came THE WALL! I don't think he ever recovered from that horror. Then my son added fuel to the fire by saying----You let mom drive THE WALL? HE is still recovering! After that my husband decided that perhaps I was a fit driver and I drove that road many times.So, everytime I think of that old wall; it is another Yosemite memory. | ||
| mark |
I miss that whole section of road. I like it. But, now that I've had time for the new road to sink in, I find more pull offs, and less blind curves. Seems that there used to be many who thought they were racecar drivers on that road. I recall an employee who timed his assent and descent on his stopwatch, thinking that he was improving his performance if he shortened his time through the curves from the bottom, at El Portal, up to the gate. I'm sure buses like the curves better, and we all have probably seen them take the curves too wide in the old days, pinning us against The Wall, while they took up a large part of both lanes. Some of those old pull offs were like secret spots where I would park to get down to the river to fish. If you didn't know that the pull off was around the next turn, and didn't prepare for it, you wouldn't be able to slow down and pull off the road fast enough with traffic behind you. You had to be ready, and then dodge over to the spot, or you'd pass it. It was scary at times. And, if I missed it, I'd pretty much have to go all the way down and back up again, to catch another spot on the other side, that is, if I could even find a spot anywhere near where I wanted to park and fish. At some point I expect that they'll put signs up that state that any such pull offs anywhere in the valley will be designated for emergency parking only, and an entire section of Yosemite, otherwise only seen by fisherman who are willing to risk life and limb in that canyon would ever even see it. Fishing is not the only reason to go there, and you don’t have to scramble down the canyon to simply find a nice place on a rock for a little picnic, complete with dramatic views. Most would not want to spend part of their day there, when the rest of Yosemite Valley is just up the road, where far more dramatic views await you. But, sometimes Yosemite can be enjoyed in small bites. And, because of the new road, some areas are easier to get to without getting run over now. For those who think they've seen it all, they would be surprised at some of the nice Merced River cascade views along that section, as I've commented on before. Of course, I am easily entertained when it comes to things like that. So, I guess I don’t miss The Wall too much, when put into that perspective. | ||
| boo-bear |
Well at least they are finally tearing out "the dam". That area (where 120 & 140 meet) is a real mess & they need to fix the road there too. Also, last time I looked there were slate scraps free for the picking back by the Ahwahnee bungalows. Hurry, before they take them away !! The roofing company will be back in the spring to finish. That area behind the hotel has become a "dump" & an eyesore that NEEDS to be cleaned up. | ||
| Dot |
Boo-bear--- Amazing that there are any scraps lying around, seeing that they are to be sold.Of course, maybe they feel those "scraps" aren't suitable for selling.If I were up there---I would get a scrap you can be sure. It seems that there are LOTS of eyesores in the Valley that need to be cleaned up. I doubt that everything has been cleaned up from the flood as yet and probably never will be. Sooner or later the campgrounds abandoned since the flood will be so overgrown that no one will see the messes left behind. I think the Lower Falls area is just one big mess that seems to be growing by leaps and bounds. | ||
| mark |
I'd probably look at the piles of scraps and wonder what I'd ever do with them. Maybe if I had a dog house that needed a good roof... but I don't have a dog?! Too bad Justa doesn't have articulating thumbs...or she'd be able to put up a nice roof for the winter. | ||
| Patti |
Why bother? Someone else would just come along and run her out of it, anyway, just because it's nicer than what they're living in right now. That's what happened to her with the last place, remember? There's always some bully around the corner trying to force the little guy (or gal) out. | ||
| mark |
It's a good thing they don't have articulating thumbs either then. | ||
| Patti |
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| anon |
Mark, I believe they do have articulating thumbs. This would indicate that the digits have joints. What they lack is opposable thumbs. This would be a thumb that is jointed in a manner that would make it possible to have a pincher grasp with the other digits. | ||
| mark |
Ah-hah. I stand corrected. That was what I was looking for, the "pincher grasp". It was the “opposable thumb" I was looking for. Robert De Niro, in “Meet the Parents”, in his reference to why his trained cat couldn’t flush the toilet, had something to do with the cat not having an “articulating thumb”. I guess he wouldn’t have needed a “pincher grasp” for that function. Thank you, Anon, for the education. | ||
| Dot |
lol---HOW did we get from Ahwahnee slate to "Meet The Parents"? I swear that it is a "man thing" to remember every snippet of information from a movie. I have seen that movie several times and absolutely can't remember that particulat bit. I always feel very stupid when someone says----did you remember that line--etc. and for the life of me; I don't. Plus, it always seems to be a man. Maybe they process that sort of information differently. Who knows? I'm still laughing! | ||
| mark |
I guess I'm just a big Robert De Niro fan. I think he's the best. He makes me laugh a lot. He always seems to get these great rolls and he pulls them off with such great skill. I'm not generally one to remember little one-liners from movies, with some exceptions. But, I agree, I do think men do that more than women. I have a friend who I think has rehearsed every line from Caddy Shack at least a dozen times in my presence over the years. It used to be very funny, but it's getting old now. | ||
| y |
This isn't the first time the roof has been replaced. (and I think the last time was less than 20 years ago - I didn't think the contractor did a very good job) | ||
| Ahwahnee |
Truckee chef uses palate as a stage Tahoe Daily Tribune, CA - YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - When Paul McCartney waltzed into a Truckee restaurant recently to have chef Mark Estee cook for him, the mood and table was set for ... http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040126/News/101260006/-1/NEWS |