The Chattel team took advantage of a sunny October weekend, embarking on a visit to Yosemite National Park. While taking in the park’s fresh air, breathtaking vistas, and unique architectural history, a variety of sites were toured.
The team had a behind-the-scenes tour of the park’s crown jewel: the Awahnee Hotel. The tour was lead by Gabrielle Harlan, a former Chattel employee. Currently working as a historical architect at Yosemite, Ms. Harlan has been intimately involved with recent rehabilitation work on the Awahnee. She took us on a fascinating journey through the hotel.
The Chattel team also visited and dined at Yosemite’s charming Victorian-style Wawona Hotel.
The team had a behind-the-scenes tour of the park’s crown jewel: the Awahnee Hotel. The tour was lead by Gabrielle Harlan, a former Chattel employee. Currently working as a historical architect at Yosemite, Ms. Harlan has been intimately involved with recent rehabilitation work on the Awahnee. She took us on a fascinating journey through the hotel.
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| Built in 1927 and designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, the Awahnee was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. |
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Kathryn, Jenna, Gabrielle, Sylvia and Shane on a tour of the Awahnee interior.
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Gabrielle leads the Awahnee tour, providing interesting hotel history.
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| Awahnee dining room celing detail. |
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| Fun Fact: The distinctive décor of the Awahnee interior inspired design of spaces in the fictional Overlook Hotel in Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, The Shining. |
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| The Wawona was constructed c. 1879; the hotel was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987. |
In addition to enjoying Yosemite's architectural heritage, the Chattel team took in the iconic views of Yosemite Valley.
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| Shane, Sylvia, Kathryn, Jenna and Robert pause to enjoy the scenery. |
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| Kathryn, Shane and Jenna have a close encounter with nature. |
On the road to Yosemite, a stop was made at a unique roadside trading post. In some ways rivaling the excitement of the park itself, the trading post featured a petting zoo, funhouse and—yes!—cheese tastings. Knowing the cheese would come in handy on the journey ahead, the Chattel travelers stocked up on a variety of these dairy delights. A spicy pepper jack blend was the party favorite.
On the road to Yosemite, a stop was made at a unique roadside trading post. In some ways rivaling the excitement of the park itself, the trading post featured a petting zoo, funhouse and—yes!—cheese tastings. Knowing the cheese would come in handy on the journey ahead, the Chattel travelers stocked up on a variety of these dairy delights. A spicy pepper jack blend was the party favorite.
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A view of the petting zoo chickens at the roadside trading post.
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