re: Any of y’all ever been to Yosemite ?

I don’t recall for sure how much Wawona was, but I’d guess $200-$250/night. We had a private bathroom (wife wouldn’t go for the shared bathroom), but the shared bathrooms weren’t bad. I enjoyed the setting of the hotel and walking around he grounds in the evening. The dining room there was very good at the time too.

We stayed at Yosemite valley lodge in the valley and I think it was around $250/night. Nothing special, but it the price beat the $500/night room I had booked at the ahwahnee until the lodge room opened up. The mountain room restaurant there was good too.

I really enjoyed all of the falls, but we went in late July so they weren’t at their peak. Standing at the top of Yosemite, vernal, and Nevada falls and looking down is a pretty cool experience. The hiking in Yosemite is excellent and if you are in good shape I highly recommend hiking up out of the valley and getting some of the world class views. We swam in the Merced river a couple of times on the way back to the lodge after a long hike. The Mariposa Grove is cool as well. I didn’t get to do any hikes in the tuolomne area unfortunately, but they are supposed to be excellent. I tried to get a permit for half dome, but didn’t draw one. We did hike up to Nevada falls (it gets a lot less crowded after vernal falls) and then returned on the John Muir trail. Glacier point road was closed when we went, so I missed all of that. There was a large fire when we were there and all of the fire personnel were staged along the road. As a matter of fact they actually closed down and evacuated the park when we were there (Ferguson Fire 2018). If you have an extra day I would suggest driving to sequoias and kings canyon too. Can be done as a day trip if you start early. There are several fruit stands that you will pass just east of Fresno and I highly suggest stopping in and buying whatever is in season. We picked up some of the best peaches and nectarines I’ve ever had. I’m jealous and plan to go back whenever I have plenty of time for the hikes.