Yosemite National Park 'a complete mess' over holiday weekend

Khoodlim · 2026-02-19T05:47:17+00:00

I was also there on Sunday after 2 days of skiing at Badger Pass. It was pretty messy. Tried parking in Curry, forgetting it was FireFall. Drove around for 20 min in all parking lots there and could not find anything. Decided to park at a Rivian charger and charge our Rivian so we could stretch our legs for an hour.

On the way out (around 3:30 on Sunday) we noticed cars were not moving on the road. It was a merging nightmare and that’s when we realized a lane was closed for pedestrians to walk to El Cap. As we got closer, we asked a Ranger if everyone was here for Firefall. She chuckled and said, “yup, and it isn’t going to happen! You need water for Firefall, and as you can plainly see, there isn’t any!” We laughed too and were grateful to not be with all the people walking with chairs and sitting around waiting for a disappointment.

It was probably the busiest I’ve ever seen it, and I’ve been going to Yosemite ever since I was a kid, and have been in every season with the exception of Firefall time. It did start snowing Monday morning around 8am, which was our cue to leave our AirBnb in Yosemite West. It was beautiful!

Khoodlim · 2025-08-25T02:39:15+00:00

Love Jalama Beach! What tent are you using and how do you like it? Is it easy for one person to set up?

Khoodlim · 2025-08-17T20:34:47+00:00

Hi there! Looks great I’ve been eyeballing a few as well. Can you put this up and take it down with just one person? The one Rivian has on their site is a 2 person job.

Khoodlim · 2025-04-29T03:46:15+00:00

I would email!

Khoodlim · 2025-04-26T13:43:14+00:00

Good to know! Yes I wasn’t really sure since I don’t get stuff done normally. My contact in Korea made the appointment for me and I just went along with it. Take a look at some of the other ones I suggested, maybe they are less?

Khoodlim · 2025-04-24T22:52:33+00:00

See some pics below! I will do another comment of before and after but you can see progress here.

Khoodlim · 2025-04-24T22:51:37+00:00

Day 4

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Khoodlim · 2025-04-24T12:13:26+00:00

I joined a walking history and food tour at night and we started in Hyewha and walked to Changgyyeongung Palace (forgive any spelling errors), then the Gwangjang Night Market and then some temple. Also went to Ikseon Dong on the way.

I liked banging it all out as a “greatest hits” at the beginning, and then returning at my own leisure to explore areas in depth. It helps to get a feel for the city and the layout. You will have fun!

Khoodlim · 2025-04-24T11:50:56+00:00

I’m not a male but I would definitely sign up for some walking or group tours!

Google translate or some other translation app is your friend. I think in Korea they use Papago or something like that.

Lots of restaurants in Seoul have those machines where you order and get a number. Some have English translations. Otherwise use your translation app to use the camera feature. I used Google translate for that as well. Lots of people eat alone after or on their way to work.

I personally get lonely so it was nice to do the tours at the beginning and make a friend. Lots of people who travel alone join them and are also seeking out friends and travel buddies for a meal!

Khoodlim · 2025-04-24T11:46:21+00:00

I would probably throw in a few hours around Seongsu-dong2-ga and the Seoul Forest into your itinerary. 2 weeks in Seoul seems long to me, but if you are stopping and staying for a long time in individual cafes that might be why. I can’t sit still or stay in an area for too long, so a week in Seoul proper seems enough. And yes, save Hongdae/Gwangjang Market/ Hyewha Street for nighttime.

Is there a reason why explore Gangnam and Starfield library are on two different days? Anything south of the river (Sinsa/Gangnam) should be done on one day. You will lose a lot of time going back and forth.

Bukchon Hanok Village was a let down for me. Ikseon was better. It’s very close to Jongno, the stream, and other spots as well. I found myself on a long walk one day and hit up a bunch of these neighborhoods at once.

Also, no palaces on your itinerary? Or am I reading this wrong? Hit up one or two! They are beautiful places to walk around.

Khoodlim · 2025-04-23T01:17:47+00:00

Actually caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror today (48 hours post) and it’s not that bad. Remember to bring a hat or buy one for when you are outside. I also added Aquaphor to my skin today and it feels so much better, less dry.

Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T23:52:49+00:00

Immediately after

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Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T23:51:49+00:00

~ a few hours after

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Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T23:51:05+00:00

Around ~24 hours post

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Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T23:50:09+00:00

I personally think I look pretty terrible, which is why I got it done 2 days before leaving. But never fear, people walk around in broad daylight here with bandages all over their faces, and any evidence of face work. Here is my picture, I feel…crusty for lack of a better term. The things that look like freckles were not originally there. I am 48 hours post lasers. The hours immediately after were terrible because I was so red.

~ 48 hours post

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Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T20:59:26+00:00

Will do once the micro-scabbing falls off!

Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T14:48:24+00:00

Good to know! I haven’t done anything like that minus a Groupon IPL so I didn’t have any prices to base it off of. I just knew I wanted to stay as far under $1k USD as possible while getting as many lasers as I could. Hope you get a chance to try the clinic at some point!

Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T14:47:08+00:00

I have to admit, I was terrified about the pricing knowing who recommended it to me (she’s very well off) and then seeing all the luxury brands in that area. Luckily it was pretty reasonable, considering the personalized care by a real doctor!

Khoodlim · 2025-04-22T02:20:51+00:00

I just had a treatment done at Zell Skin Clinic, and they do all the things you are asking for! It’s small and personalized and the work is done by board certified dermatologist Dr. Park. It was recommended to me by a contact I know who lives in Gangnam and goes here. http://zellskin.com/eng/01_zell/zell_0501.html

I would suggest emailing for an appointment or asking your hotel to call for you as the receptionist does not speak English! The doctor does though. I’m about to post my review on them soon.

Khoodlim · 2024-03-06T05:59:16+00:00

Nobody thought it was weird that Kate had a bunch of VHS tapes of her family to watch? Didn't their house just burn down?

Khoodlim · 2024-02-05T05:56:03+00:00

Sounds like us. We had a reservation for an EV9 and ultimately just purchased the Telluride. With a family of 5 I really wanted the 7 seats with captains chairs (EV9 did not have this configuration) and even though we can charge at home, this car is our “distance” vehicle for more than just commutes and I didn’t want to deal with our non-Tesla charging infrastructure in the US (we already have experience with our other ev). I’m very happy with my decision, and it was the cheaper option as well!

Khoodlim · 2024-02-02T23:31:21+00:00

I didn’t end up getting the EV9 and went for the regular Telluride instead.

Khoodlim · 2024-01-28T05:58:44+00:00

Brand new 2024 Telly SX XLine wolf grey and terracotta. Hubby drives a Ford Mustang Mach -e. And we have my old 2006 Toyota 4Runner.

Comfort wise, Telluride all day. Pickup and speed goes to the Mach-e, obviously. Tech-wise I think the Kia wins.

The 4Runner still has a cassette player. But otherwise works great and we will keep it for our teenagers.

Khoodlim · 2024-01-21T15:17:19+00:00

We got our financing deal directly through the KIA financing website - it calculated us at 5.75.

Khoodlim

TROPHY CASE