Friday

Paradise Springs

Saturday: Outdoor activities, burgers, talent show

Sunday Morning

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Monday Morning

Our Wedding

Our Story

A Note on the Natural Environment

Weather

Paradise Springs is located at about 5200 feet on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. In July, we expect the weather to be in the 80s during the day and 50s or 60s at night. There is almost no chance of sustained rain, though a thunder shower would be within the realm of possibility.You can find a point forecast for Paradise Springs <a href="http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-119.58181090140671&amp;lat=37.40153371625877#.V4PrvfkrKM8" target="_blank">here.</a>

Elevation

At 5200 feet, most people will not feel any elevation-related effects. However, it's not a bad idea to drink a little extra water. You should also reapply sunscreen often, especially if you're a McMurry. And the booze might hit you a little harder.

Key Birds and Mammals

<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#q=steller%27s%20jay" target="_blank">Steller's Jay</a> - They will steal your snacks<a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#q=clark%27s+nutcracker" target="_blank">Clark's Nutcracker</a> - Famous for memorizing the locations of the thousands of seeds they hide in the autumn. <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#q=american+black+bear" target="_blank">American Black Bear</a> - Best not to leave food in the car. <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#q=american+black+bear" target="_blank">Blacktail Deer</a> - Often seen at the edge of meadows, especially near dark. There is much debate over whether a blacktail is a subspecies of <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#q=mule%20deer%20california" target="_blank">mule deer</a>.

Important Trees and Plants

Paradise Springs is in the Sierra Nevada's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada_lower_montane_forest">lower montane forest</a>. The plant life is dominated by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_ponderosa">ponderosa pines</a>, with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus_lambertiana">sugar pines</a>, oaks, and white fir mixed in as well. Sugar pines produce the largest pine cones of any conifer.Interspersed in this area of the Sierra are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sequoiadendron_giganteum">giant sequoias</a>, some of the largest trees on earth. Groves can be found near our venue at Nelder Grove and Shadow of the Giants. The Mariposa and Tuolumne Groves are within Yosemite National Park.On the drive up from Oakhurst, you'll pass through burned areas from the 2015 Sky Fire and the 2014 Junction fire. Notice how successional shrubs and plants are recolonizing the burned areas, helping the forest recover.The neon green lichen you'll see on the trees at this elevation is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letharia_vulpina">wolf lichen</a>.Finally, be careful of <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=poison+oak&amp;source=lnms&amp;tbm=isch&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi8_ZLM-N_NAhVD22MKHZ8pCA8Q_AUICCgB&amp;biw=1313&amp;bih=713#tbm=isch&amp;q=poison+oak&amp;chips=q:poison+oak,g_1:california">poison oak</a>. Tromping through a patch of this stuff will ruin your weekend.

Astronomical Details

Sunrise will be at 5:42 am, with the sun rising at 59.8 degrees. Solar noon will be at 1:02 pm with an azimuth of 179.8 degrees. Sunset will be at 8:24 pm and the sun will set at 300.13 degrees.The moon will rise at 2:46 pm, and will set at 2:11 am. The moon will be a waxing gibbous with 67% of the moon's disk illuminated.A map of the stars for the night of our wedding may be viewed <a href="https://www.wunderground.com/sky/ShowSky.asp?CurDir=Up&amp;TheLat=37.33892822&amp;TheLon=-119.64588165&amp;TimeZoneName=America%2FLos_Angeles&amp;Month=7&amp;Day=2&amp;Year=2017&amp;Min=0&amp;Hour=21&amp;ShowPlanets=checked&amp;ShowConst=checked&amp;ShowConstNames=checked&amp;ShowStarNames=checked&amp;ShowGrid=checked&amp;ShowSkyLine=checked&amp;ShowInfo=checked&amp;Redraw=Redraw+Chart" target="_blank">here.</a>

Details

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Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Driving Directions <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Oakhurst,+CA+93644/Paradise+Springs,+Road+632,+Oakhurst,+CA/@37.3697113,-119.6519352,13z/am=t/data=!4m17!4m16!1m5!1m1!1s0x809427a27f5dbc67:0xd0683ed7bb7d8d81!2m2!1d-119.6493154!2d37.3279997!1m5!1m1!1s0x8096832204b09e47:0x481ffcc3140bd8bf!2m2!1d-119.5810403!2d37.4059857!6m3!1i0!2i0!3i5" target="_blank">Directions from Oakhurst</a> Wherever you're coming from, make your way to Oakhurst, CA. Head north out of town on Rt. 41 for 3.8 miles, then take a right on Road 632/Sky Ranch Road. Follow signs for Paradise Springs up this road for 6.7 miles; after a few miles the name of the road will change to Road 10 (sometimes displayed on maps as 6S10). Take a right at the sign for Paradise Springs. You're there! The road is paved but twisty, so go slow! Note: Google may suggest that you take one of the many dirt roads in the area. We would view such advice with extreme caution. You may find a beautiful shortcut past lovely granite outcrops, hidden waterfalls, and shady groves. Or you may puncture your oil pan and get lost for weeks. The recommended route to Paradise Springs takes only paved roads; if you find yourself on dirt, you might consider turning around.Note 2: Cell service is spotty-to-nonexistent at Paradise Springs. Please take appropriate precautions.

You can camp on-site! Cost is $45 per tent/truck/RV/tarp per night. You can contact Debby@paradisespringsmountain.com to confirm a spot. There is a bathhouse with five men's and five women's showers as well as bathroom facilities. We hope that many of you will take advantage of this and spend the whole weekend with us!

Paradise Springs Camping

The closest airports are, in descending order:-Fresno (1:20 driving time)-Oakland (3:30)-San Jose (3:30)-San Francisco (3:45) -Los Angeles (5:00)Note that these times do not include holiday traffic or rush hour. Leave extra time if you're coming in Friday night.Out-of-towners will probably want to rent a car. Let us know if you're looking for a car-sharing buddy.

For Those Flying in from Afar

If you're driving up to Paradise Springs from the Bay Area, you'll probably want to stop for food and to stretch your legs on the way. Here are some suggestions we've discovered in our extensive explorations of California:-<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-la-estrella-manteca" target="_blank">La Estrella Taqueria</a>, Manteca, CA - this taqueria features in many of our trips to the Yosemite area. The al pastor burrito and mixed fajitas come highly recommended. And don't forget to sample all of the grilled peppers and salsas at the salsa bar. -<a href="http://camp4wine.com/" target="_blank">Camp 4 Wine Cafe</a>, Modesto, CA - owned by late pioneering climber Royal Robbins's son, this wine bar serves paninis and salads and has a great California-based wine list.-<a href="http://prieststation.com/" target="_blank">Priest Station Cafe</a>, Big Oak Flat, CA - this cafe isn't on the way if you're going straight from the Bay to Paradise Springs. But if you take a detour to Yosemite Valley and drive on Rt. 120, you'll go right past it. Owned by relatives of the famous mountaineer Conrad Anker, the Priest Station Cafe has great food and a wonderful patio overlooking the foothills.Other stops could include walking the charming foothill town of <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Mariposa,+CA+95338/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8096b0aac3ff60c5:0xb0ab002eb339644e?sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjszqfQ4YfOAhVOyGMKHRf1DtoQ8gEIigEwDw" target="_blank">Mariposa</a> (Castillo's is good for Mexican food) or looking for migratory birds at the <a href="https://www.fws.gov/refuge/San_Joaquin_River/" target="_blank">San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge</a>.

Break up the drive!

There are lots of hotels, rentals, and other accommodations in Oakhurst, CA, 11 miles from Paradise Springs. There are also options in Fish Camp (17 mi) and Bass Lake (13 mi), as well as rental properties sprinkled throughout the area. If you're staying offsite, please use good judgment with driving and alcohol!The Yosemite area is incredibly popular over the 4th of July weekend and demand for hotel rooms often outstrips supply. We strongly recommend booking as soon as possible. If you run out of options, you can always camp on-site or dirtbag it in the woods (see below).Some hotels in Oakhurst, arranged roughly in ascending order of fanciness: <a href="http://www.yosemitesierrainn.com/" target="_blank">Yosemite Sierra Inn</a> <a href="http://www.americasbestvalueinn.com/bestv.cfm?idp=906&amp;rcode=sim2016" target="_blank">America's Best Value Inn Yosemite Southgate</a> <a href="https://www.choicehotels.com/california/oakhurst/comfort-inn-hotels/ca937?source=gyxt">Comfort Inn Yosemite Area</a> <a href="http://www.yosemitegatewayinn.com/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=places&amp;utm_campaign=google_places_ms" target="_blank">Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway</a> <a href="http://www.yosemitesouthgate.com/" target="_blank">Yosemite Southgate</a> <a href="http://www.queensinn.com/" target="_blank">Queen's Inn</a> <a href="http://www.havenofrestbnb.com/" target="_blank">A Haven of Rest BnB</a> <a href="http://www.chateausureau.com/" target="_blank">Chateau du Sureau</a> Outside Oakhurst These are some other options in the area. <a href="https://www.tenayalodge.com/?gclid=CjwKEAjw-_e7BRDs97mdpJzXwh0SJABSdUH05pqIoUU23MEzrO9bVf2tpzj4djHZ4-z1KqJL_psQQxoChYnw_wcB" target="_blank">Tenaya Lodge</a> <a href="http://www.basslake.com/" target="_blank">The Pines at Bass Lake</a> <a href="http://www.narrowgaugeinn.com/" target="_blank">The Narrow Gauge Inn</a> (Recommended for railroad enthusiasts) Cabins/House Rentals In addition to hotels, consider looking at properties listed on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/s/Oakhurst--CA?s_tag=I7v-MIp6" target="_blank">Air BnB</a> and <a href="https://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/california/gold-country-high-sierra/yosemite/oakhurst" target="_blank">VRBO</a>. There are a good number of rental properties in the area and they can be a nice alternative to hotels. If you get a group of people together, you can probably save some money as well. If you need help finding an age-appropriate group of people, we can broker introductions upon request.Dirtbag Options Paradise Springs is surrounded by National Forest land and a maze of dirt roads. If you want to throw a tent up somewhere in the woods, no one is probably going to stop you. <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5304086" target="_blank">Sierra National Forest</a> rules apply.

Lodging in the Area

Travel

Yosemite National Park is utterly magical. There is nowhere like it on earth. It is deeply special to both of us; in fact, one of our first dates was crashing a wedding in the Valley. If you haven't been, we highly recommend you go. If you want to head to the park, email <a href="mailto:nathaniel.kane@gmail.com">Nat</a> for specific advice to maximize your fun. Unfortunately, it can also be totally swamped on a holiday weekend. We suggest heading in early (before 8:30am) before the line up at the park entrance gets too bad. If you can find a way to avoid driving around the Valley loop road between noon and 6 pm, you'll be happier. And if you want to keep crowds to a minimum, Glacier Point and the trails starting from the Glacier Point Road offer precipitous views down into the Valley from the rim while keeping you out of the craziness of the Valley Floor. If you take a little more time, Tuolumne Meadows also offers spectacular views and hiking with somewhat reduced crowds.Driving time from Paradise Springs to Yosemite Valley is 1:45, to Glacier Point is 2:00, and to Tuolumne Meadows is 2:45. None of these times include traffic. Maps and more info <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/maps.htm" target="_blank">here.</a>

Yosemite National Park

Just a little way up the road from Paradise Springs is a lovely grove of giant sequoias, some of the largest trees on the planet. There are several options for hikes, including the 1-mile <a href="http://www.redwoodhikes.com/YosemiteNP/Nelder.html">Shadow of the Giants</a> loop trail, which has interpretive signs identifying some of the local plants. Great for kids! See the link for more details.There are also two other hikes that start at a trailhead near the Nelder Grove Campground, the Chimney Tree loop (~1 mile) goes past the burned-out (but still alive!) Chimney Tree and the monstrous Bull Buck tree. And the Graveyard of the Giants trail (~5 miles) takes you past some impressive standing dead sequoias as well as live ones. More info on all the hikes <a href="http://www.yosemitehikes.com/not-yosemite/nelder-grove/trail-map.htm" target="_blank">here.</a>An interpretive guide to Nelder Grove and its trees may be found <a href="http://www.neldergrove.org/wp-content/uploads/Interpretive-Guide-Web.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a>

The Giant Sequoias of Nelder Grove

Rising high above the forest at 7000 feet of elevation, Fresno Dome is a little slice of Yosemite located outside the park. There's a short hike to the top where you'll get commanding views of the surrounding Western Sierra ridgelines and the vast Central Valley. Climbers will find up to five pitches of Shuteye-style <a href="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt336/sierraclimber1/2-12-11%20Fresno%20Dome%20and%20Snomo/IMG_2780sm.jpg" target="_blank">knobs and plates</a> on bomber granite, as well as some fun sport lines.To get there, turn right out the Paradise Springs driveway and continue up Road 10 for 9.1 miles to the trailhead. The road soon turns to dirt. It is bumpy but passable for normal 2WD cars; probably not a great idea to bring your Ferrarri.On Saturday, July 1, we'll have a family climbing day for those interested at the Hawk Dome section of Fresno Dome. We know many of you feel most comfortable climbing in spandex and sparkles; we wouldn't want to do anything to discourage that.

Nat & Cynthia

Nat & Cynthia

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