Here’s a story sent to us from reader Carol Ouzounian. She calls it “The $385 Shower”.
After five days of camping in North Pines in my little tent with my 4 month old Labrador retreiver, Half-Dome Jake, I was desperate for a shower and a wonderful meal and a soft bed. (Ahhh,I know, what a wimp.) It was early August 2002, and the temperature was close to 90 degrees every night. The bears were very active, and the stories the neighboring campers told of bears and coyotes eating small dogs and prowling around the camps at night had left me nearly sleepless the entire week. I’m sure the neighbors were tired of me sounding my “personal alarm” whenever I thought I heard growling outside my tent (which I am certain I did). There was no where to go–especially with a dog. Most of the lodges and sites are not pet-friendly. But, I drove into the Ahwahnee parking lot, left my car running with the air conditioning on for Jake, made sure I had my extra set of keys, locked the doors, and headed to the front desk. I asked if there were any rooms available. “Well, we have one room left. We just had a cancellation, would you like to check in?” “How much is the room?” I asked. “$385.” “Is that for one night?” “Yes, of course.” “Well, let me think for a second.”
I was so close to that wonderful warm shower, with all the shampoos, and soaps, and plush towels, I could almost hear and feel it. Well, it’s my vacation, I reasoned. I can do whatever I want! What a great opportunity to spend my last night in Yosemite in that beautiful lodge. It was temporary insanity, but I said to the clerk…”I’ll take it.” Oh my God, what did I just do. She took my credit card, and set me up and gave me a key, and a then gave me another key. She said, “This second key is a special key just for the elevator. You can only get to your room if you use this key, it’s on a special private floor. I’ll have the bellman show you to your room.”
I was stunned. I was mystified. I was elated. I was feeling as grand as El Capitan! “Yes, please, that would be marvelous, thank you.” (I totally forgot I looked like a dust-encrusted rag-a-muffin, who just blew in from North Pines.) I felt regal. I did it! Who cares! I got the last room available for the night! I just spent $385 for a shower!
We rode the elevator up to the 6th floor, using the special key to enter the floor. The Bellman said many important people have stayed on this private floor and in these rooms. JFK, the Queen, movie stars. Haha! And now me! He opened the door to my suite and I stood there in awe. It was almost as good a Tunnel View. I looked at the plush, comfortable bed, that pristine porcelain tub, and that absolutely amazing view of Half Dome and Washington’s Column framed in my picture window. I quickly tipped the man, and closed the door and jumped backwards on the bed. Ahhhh. Ahhhhhwahnee! I love you!
Then, I remembered Jake! Still in the car (air conditioned, locked and safe). I decided to pop in the shower real fast and then run down to get him! But OH NO….I forgot to say anything to the clerk at the desk! OH MAN, now what. I’ll worry about that after I get dried off and dressed. Did I mention how wonderful that shower was?
Feeling like a million bucks, I ran out to check on Jake. What a good dog. He’s named Half-Dome Jake because his head is in the shape of, well, Half Dome. Be that as it may, it may help me smuggle him in. But I decided to be honest and talk to the consierge. I told her I just checked into the suite on the 6th floor, darling, (She was impressed), but I forgot to tell the desk a very tiny detail that I had an absolutely adorable 4 month old yellow lab traveling with me. I told her that Jake was a “canine companion in training” and would be glad to show her the handicap sticker on my car. She looked at me with a cold stare and said, “I’m sorry, we don’t allow pets, BUT, I won’t say anything if you let me play with him!”
Big sigh.
So I put Jake in his crate, put a blanket over it, loaded up my bags on the bellman’s cart, winked at the consierge as we walked by as we headed up to my room. No one knew except me and the consierge.
That night, Jake had the best bath he’d ever had. We both laid on our backs (Jake’s feet straight up in the air) on the plush giant bed, eating the best prime rib steaks we’d ever tasted, sipping some wine (me, not Jake) and staring at the stars and the sillouettes of Half Dome and Washington’s Column. My campsite was nearly a distant memory as we both dozed off into a dreamy sleep. I certainly enjoyed the best of both world
If you’ve got a Yosemite story you’d like to share email me. I’d love to read it and who knows, you might even see it posted on Yosemite Blog. You can email your submissions to Loyd@YosemiteBlog.com.
Thanks for the story Carol!
Comments
3 responses to “The $385 Shower by Carol Ouzounian”
Thanks for “printing” my story. Let me know if you want to hear about the adventure of “Jake, 200 kids, and Half Dome on fire.”
Great story, thanks.
I love that Hotel and it sounds like a great memory. Did you know that anyone can use the Camp Curry showers? We use them every summer every day and I think we pay $5 per person for a week shower pass.