|
Madera County - California's Gateway to Yosemite
|
|
News from the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau
|
|
|
About the Photo:
Now accepting images for March and April.
|
|
|
|
Despite the shortage of snow, there is still plenty of fun to be had in Yosemite and its surrounding areas!
Of the many special sights in February, one of the most remarkable is Horsetail Fall. When conditions are right, lucky visitors will witness the waters of Horsetail Fall set ablaze from the setting sun. It's also a great time to embark on a stargazing tour throughout this month.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for additional snow in order to enjoy snowshoe tours and ski days!
Below we have shared a delicious Strawberry Almond Napoleon dessert recipe, compliments of Sweet Dreams Wedding Cakes and Flowers.
In addition, included is a trivia game at the bottom of the newsletter for a chance to win a 1/2 day climbing adventure with the Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides! Details below.
Contact the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau to plan your winter excursion through Madera County to Yosemite today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Snow Ball at The Ahwahnee Hotel
February 6th - 6pm
The Yosemite Winter Club invites you to Snow Ball in The Winter Club Room. Enjoy live music, heavy appetizers, delicious desserts, dancing, a silent auction and more. Visit Yosemite Winter Club for more details and tickets.
|
"Murderous Crossing," an Exciting Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Event.
February 13th & 14th The year is 1923 and audience members are passengers on board the HMS Victoria as it crosses the English Channel... Be part of the drama at the Golden Chain Theatre as they showcase a Murder Mystery Valentine's special. Enjoy a tasty dinner as you attempt to uncover a homicidal mastermind.
|
|
|
|
|
Quady Winery Valentine's Day Delights!
February 14th & 15th, 10am-5pm Enjoy a milkshake made with Elysium Black Muscat Chocolate Sauce, sample delicious cookies, try a selection of Golden Valley Farm sheep cheeses made in Madera (some made with muscat grapes!) and indulge in Cowboy Toffees. All this and more can be found at Quady Winery, on the road to Yosemite!
|
Wine and Chocolate Weekend on the Madera Wine Trail
February 14th & 15th, 10am-5pm Don't miss this special two-day wine tasting event! Sample a wide variety of local wines as you visit each participating winery on the Madera Wine Trail. On this special wine weekend, enjoy chocolate pairings, live music, local art and delicious food!
Designated drivers are always welcome on the Madera Wine Trail, and they are always free of charge!
|
|
|
|
|
A Valentine's Escape on the lake at the Pines Resort
February 14th Escape this Valentine's Day to Bass Lake for a romantic getaway. Enjoy a Special Valentine's Day Dinner by Executive Chef, Johnathan Frabotta, at Ducey's on the Lake. The Sweetheart Special will include steak and lobster for two, served with steamed seasonal vegetables and cheddar mash, along with appetizers, soup or salad and dessert for $129. Turn your Valentine's Day into a weekend getaway and stay in a cozy, two story mountain chalet, Lakeside Suite or Lakefront Spa Suites, starting at $139 per night with a two night minimum stay. Make it even more special with a Romance Package of champagne and chocolates.
|
Beer Pairing Special at Ducey's on the Lake
February 25th, 6pm
Don't forget that Ducey's Sunset Menu is available daily from 4pm - 6pm, with entrees starting at only $14. (559) 642-3131.
|
|
|
|
|
Starry Skies Over Yosemite
See Yosemite at night as you've never seen it before. This program is available year round, but stargazing in winter is particularly exceptional. Take a cosmic voyage beneath the twinkling stars in Yosemite Valley or Wawona. Learn about the heavens, the moon, Milky Way galaxy, constellations and all the folklore that follows. Must register in advance.
|
Full Moon Snowshoe Walks in Yosemite
2015 Dates and Times (Snow Permitting)
Friday, January 30th - Tuesday, February 3rd
Sunday, March 1st - Thursday, March 5th
Tuesday, March 31st - Saturday, April 4th
Enjoy a guided moonlight snowshoe walk in Yosemite. Snowshoe along snowy paths winding through forests to a ridge where the moon rises. Make sure to register in advance.
|
|
|
|
|
Chefs' Holidays at the Ahwahnee
Held each year in January and February, Yosemite's Chefs' Holidays feature some of the world's most innovative and acclaimed chefs. This Northern California cooking adventure provides a showcase for the range of styles, personalities and trends that characterize the American culinary scene.
|
Horsetail Fall Phenomenon
This spectacular site takes place for two weeks each February if conditions are right.
You'll want to look out for this visual treat if you are visiting Yosemite in February. When the water is flowing, photographers and visitors gather for an amazing natural display. The Horsetail Phenomenon appears when the angle of the setting sun sets the waterfall ablaze with reds and oranges, like a fire is falling down the cliffs on El Capitan's shoulder.
|
|
|
Be sure to plan ahead for these great events & activities in and around Yosemite!
|
|
|
|
|
Bass Lake Classic Triathlon
May 30th
Don't miss the Bass Lake Classic Triathlon this year. The course is set at beautiful Bass Lake, located just miles from Yosemite National Park's southern entrance. You'll find yourself competing in fresh air among the pines. |
Yosemite Festival, Oakhurst
June 27th
Join us for a festival for all ages honoring Yosemite's history, adventure, art & culture! This year the Yosemite Festival will honor the 125th Anniversary of Yosemite National Park. The festival is held in Oakhurst, near Yosemite's southern entrance. Learn More |
Ales and Trails
July 15th-19th
Hike through a rich sub-alpine environment, based from a central lakeside tented camp. SYMG is renowned for preparing "back country gourmet" food, and they even have mules to pack in plenty of comfortable camp amenities for you.
|
|
Little Ahwahnee Inn Yosemite Named TOP 25 in US!
 | |
Grant, Beth and their dog Kamina look forward to greeting you upon your arrival.
|
awarded the "2015 Travelers Choice Award" by Trip Advisor. This names the inn among the top 25 Bed & Breakfasts in the United States and the only one named in California! In 2014, owners Grant and Beth Robinson were excited to receive the "2014 Award of Excellence" from Trip Advisor. Today they are honored to be named for the Travelers Choice Award after opening their doors only two years ago, in 2013.
This hidden gem is a custom chateau crafted of rare heart redwood and native granite. It features rich architectural lines that complement the natural landscape beautifully. Spacious social areas with vaulted ceilings and a large stone fireplace make for a unique mountain setting that begs guests to sit, relax with a steaming beverage and gaze out of the large picture windows. Nestled among the pines, it sits in a truly serene setting in Fish Camp, CA just 2.5 miles (4 km) from Yosemite National Park's southern entrance on Hwy 41.
You can learn more about the inn by visiting their website at LittleAhwahneeInn.Com. Be sure to enjoy the virtual tour!
|
|
|
|
|
February Romance Special at the Redwoods in Yosemite
Stay at the Redwoods anytime in the month of February and receive 20% off of two nights OR your third night FREE plus a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider and chocolates.
|
Romance Package at Tenaya Lodge
Now - March 31
The Romance Package, starting at $205, features a one-night stay, champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, s'mores kit and VIP turndown with Hershey Kisses and rose petals. For romance paired with relaxation, indulge in the Celebration Spa Package. Starting at $265, reconnect with a one-night stay, two Half Dome Spa Services and two special spa gifts. Then, feed your love with a Valentine's Dinner at Embers featuring upscale dishes of Smoked Sea Scallops and Braised Short Ribs.Learn More |
Sierra Meadows Country Club
Now Open 5 Days a Week! We are excited to announce that the Sierra Meadow Country Club is now operating Wednesday-Sunday for your enjoyment. The RV Park is currently closed, but will re-open on April 1st. Be sure to "swing" in for a game of golf.
|
|
Watch a live demonstration of this and 3 other delicious Sweet Dreams recipes on Great Day KMPH Fox 26. The show will be on air Tuesday, February 10th starting at 8:20am.
Strawberry Almond Napoleon
Lovely dessert of layered almond filo shells and citrus bavarian cream, topped with sugared and fresh sliced strawberries.
Filo Shells
|
1 cup
|
Toasted Slivered Almonds
| |
1 cup
|
Granulated Sugar
| |
15 sheets
|
Filo Dough
| |
2 cups
|
Melted Butter
| |
|
Citrus Bavarian Cream (recipe below)
| |
|
Sugared Strawberries
| |
|
Fresh Sliced Strawberries
|
- Process sugar with ½ slivered almonds in food processor (set remainder aside for topping).
- Line sheet pan with parchment paper and brush with melted butter.
- Place 1 sheet of filo dough on paper and brush with melted butter; sprinkle with almond sugar.
- Repeat process until you have 5 sheets of filo dough layered together.
- Cut into 15 equal portions (5x3).
- Repeat above steps in 2 additional pans (3 pans total = 45 pieces).
- Bake at 350 degrees approximately 8 minutes until golden brown.
Citrus Bavarian Cream
|
3 oz
|
Lemonade
| |
1 ½ tbsp
|
Gelatin
| |
1 1/8 cups
|
Orange Juice
| |
¾ cup
|
Granulated Sugar
| |
5
|
Egg Yolks
| |
¼ cup
|
All-Purpose Flour
| |
¾ cup
|
Plain Yogurt OR Sour Cream
| |
2 ½ cups
|
Heavy Cream (whipped)
|
- Dissolve gelatin in lemonade; let bloom a minimum of 5 minutes.
- In top of double boiler, combine orange juice, sugar, egg yolks and flour; cook while stirring until very thick.
- Stir in ¾ cup of yogurt OR sour cream.
- Melt bloomed gelatin in microwave and add to double boiler.
- Pour into shallow dish; refrigerate until firm.
- Place in large mixing bowl; whip until smooth.
- Fold in whipped heavy cream.
To Assemble Napoleon:
- Place a dallop of citrus bavarian cream on serving plate.
 - Layer almond filo shell with citrus bavarian cream 3 times.
- Cover with sugared strawberries; top with fresh sliced strawberries.
|
|
Answer the trivia question below correctly to be entered in a drawing to win:
With over 20 years' experience, SYMG has shown thousands of people the beauty of Yosemite and the High Sierra and have been named one of the "Best Outfitters on Earth" by National Geographic Adventure Magazine.
 Photos courtesy of SYMG.
Monthly Trivia This month's topic: Movie Madness in Yosemite What popular British comedy film, filmed in 1975, used stock footage of Yosemite Valley?
We will announce the answer in next month's newsletter!
Congratulations to the winner of January's newsletter trivia, Corrine Long-Folk of Madera, California!
January's trivia answer is c.) 5 There are 5 species of shrews in Yosemite. |
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 20XX. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
