June 21, 2006
Who Needs a Travel Agent?
Barbara Boxer seems to be in the travel advisory business these days.
I received the following email...
Senator Boxer on Visiting Yosemite
Dear Friend:
Many people who are planning summer vacations should know that Yosemite
National Park is once again open for business. Recent landslides on
Highway 140 have closed that road, but several other routes are open and
can take you to one of the most beautiful of our National Parks.
The recent landslide impacted a portion of Highway 140, approximately
20 miles east of the town of Mariposa. The road was shut down
indefinitely as a result of the significant landslide, and engineers are working
on short-term and permanent solutions to bring the road back into
service.
Despite the closing of Highway 140, the areas both to the east and to
the west remain among the most beautiful in our nation. Mariposa is a
delightful town and a wonderful example of California’s rich history.
And Yosemite National Park should be on anyone’s list of travel
destinations because of its unmatched natural splendor.
If you are traveling this summer, I encourage you to visit Mariposa on
Highway 140 and to visit Yosemite National Park using one of the
entrances listed below:
- Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Valley can be reached along
Highway 41 North from Fresno.
- Big Oak Flat Entrance to the Park can be reached from Highway 120
East from Modesto and Manteca. The Big Oak Flat Road continues into
Yosemite Valley and to the Tioga Road.
- Tioga Pass Entrance can be accessed along Highway 120 West from Lee
Vining and Highway 395.
Yosemite National Park can also be accessed using a number of
convenient public bus and train connections to reach their destination. The
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, VIA Adventures, and Amtrak
all offer train and bus service to Yosemite Valley. Once you get
there, a shuttle bus service provides convenient access to many of the major
points of interest within the park. You may obtain more information on
these public transportation options by visiting the following web
sites:
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System: www.yarts.com
VIA Adventures: www.via-adventures.com/yosemite.html
Amtrak: www.amtrak.com
Road conditions are subject to change, so I encourage you to visit
www.nps.gov/yose/ or call (209) 372-0200 for the latest in road conditions
before you embark on what I hope will be a memorable and fun-filled
visit to Yosemite National Park and its surrounding communities.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
