A little about Yosemite

It took me years to really appreciate the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite. I had long considered it just a playground for the rich.

But the entire hotel is open to any visitor and it is very definitely worth a look!

I'll be brief in this post--I could write for days about the grande dame of National Park Hotels.

One of my favorite rooms is the "Mural Room" just off the Great Lounge. Cozy and warm, it has a "painted tapestry" on the walls and a shiny copper fireplace.

"The renowned painted linen mural of The Ahwahnee's Mural Room is typical of fifteenth-century style known as mille fleurs. Painted by Robert Boardman Howard in 1927, this toile peinte, or painted tapestry, depicts the park's native flora and fauna." From Yosemite Gifts Online

You can see more photos of the hotel at http://www.historic-hotels-lodges.com, where I found these photos of the Mural Room (also known as the Writing Room).

Oh how I wish they would make a tapestry replica of these walls I could hang in my living room. The next best thing is some beautiful cloisonne boxes and ornaments that depict some of the scenes from the tapestry.

This isn't from the tapestry, but it's an acorn (one my favorite things!) with the Ahwahnee logo.

Another favorite historical place is the Wawona Hotel. Why not have one of these cute little deck chairs hanging on your tree this winter?

This, and so many other cute cabin/bungalow type things are available through Yosemite Gifts Online. (No, I do not get a kick-back!)

Just in time for Christmas!