Where's Walker

My goodness I had a day today. What a busy thing it is to be a tour director. There is really no way to be prepared for it. Or maybe there is and I'm just not. (I think that's it) My cell phone doesn't work in Walker either, luckily of the few things this place has its free wifi so I'm using Skype to get through to people. Annoying really, there is so much work to be done on the phone and I can't do it.

Found Walker, this was our place, so cute!

Anyways about my day today. We slept in a bit today which ended up being pointless as they were all milling around in the morning waiting to get going (as was I) so we loaded the trailer and dropped our keys off and headed into yosemite Valley for a little walking. I took them to the Lower Yose Falls and then to the village where they happened to be unveiling the new Yosemite National Park Quarter. Tons of people were there and they had cake for everyone. Wow.



We ate some lunch and then headed by shuttle to the van and went to the Upper Yosemite area. That place is amazing! So much hiking and the scenery is absolutely amazing there. People never talk about it, but its really beautiful.

Parsons Lodge Tuolomne Meadows

The parking areas were all packed so someone knows about it anyways. I had no clue what to say, where we were, what the peaks were. It was bad. Lots of quiet. And the advice that it was an hour away was a bit off. more like hour and half but then we got out and walked through the Tuolomne Meadow and to the Parsons Lodge where the Sierra Club was first gathering. It was great. I really enjoyed it and it was a nice easy walk for everyone.
We drove down to Lee Vining and you could see Mono Lake and I could remember 2 out of the 10 things I know about those places. It was really annoying. I have the notes and no time to check them. These people are really starting to wonder if I know what I"m doing and I hate to fake them out because discovering it for the first time would be fun I think. Some of it anyways. Tonight I told them I'd not been to Walker before and that I had heard good things about the Mountain View BBQ place and so it was a bit dodgy until the food came and it was really good and affordable too. So its all worked out. Its just hard to not know what to tell them about any of the stuff they are seeing. How they'd expect me to know it all anyways is pretty amazing. And I won't have much chance to study for the next trip either so oh well I guess. I don't like that part of this at all. And why can't I remember a darn thing? Its in there I just can't recall it. And then if I can recall it I get nervous about saying it because they'll ask more questions beyond my studying and then my cover is blown. It sucks.
The man at the BBQ place had Bodie maps so I was able to hand out some brochures so they can read for themselves about the place we see tomorrow. Sheesh.
I really want to get to Utah where at least I'll know some places etc. still no rock information but I'll try to study. there just isn't time. I bet these people are bored to death. I can't think of a single thing to say or do for an hour?? Snoozer!
Despite all this, its like Brian said the other day its my first tour and all of it will be new the first time and then it will be better. At least I know what to expect now.

This is Upper Yosemite, still amazing

I'm also getting really tired. Hiking with them is hard work. I think I'll give that up for a bit. They seem okay with the idea that I won't be hiking with them all the time. I was asleep at the wheel this afternoon. I should really be able to hike a little and still drive. The distances are short enough but its just tiring for some reason. I think it must be trying to wrangle the group.
I am also not running a very tight ship. They are late and we wait and then wander off and I don't know how to undo that habit. It might be too late now. I think the day we go through Death Valley they'll be on time because they are excited to see Las Vegas. Who isn't!
Now I check on some Vegas things and then shower in my cute green bathroom and then to bed. I'm sleepy. I keep waking up early with a nervous stomach. That better go away, I like my sleep!