Day 8 - The Bear and a Wedding

Poor Ian Spent a wakeful night in our suite due to air conditioning failure, sadly he was unable to reduce the air temperature to below freezing : ( Min & I however were able to sleep without arctic gear .

Our White water trip for the wedding morning was cancelled due to low water levels, so a souvenier expedition followed a lazy morning in the pool.

Martin collected a take away pizza ( Not a mama mia special ) & we made ourselves look pretty for the wedding..

..............Stop press Ian received a call from Hampshire constabulary, it was nearly midnight UK time! (they were not wishing him all the best for his big day ), But to say his car alarm had been going off for the last 12+ hours, they were wondering if he could pop home & sort it out??? Ian frantically called The RAC & everyone at home but was unable to find a solution.
Realizing there wasn't any more we could do, we set off for Yosemite.Thankfully Mary-Ann called us to say the car alarm had finally given up..Hooray,

Within a few minutes of entering the Park, Ian & I Spotted our very 1st Au natural BEAR! just a
youngster ambling across the road, traffic came to a standstill as we watched him doing something in the woods. What an omen.

We Met " Dan Dan the photo man " at the chapel, He took us across the road to Superintendants Bridge & began to set us up for the various shots he planned to take.

The bridge & beach area were busy with Rafters & families in the water, We caused quite a stir.

Dan managed to get some great shots of us in full western wedding dress.

Rev Autrey Nasseau arrived to perform our lovely ceremony.

We chose a spot on the river bank & began,

As the service progressed a pair of young Mule Deer came to the water to drink, they moved on & another pair ambled into view a Doe & a Buck with velvet antlers, They studied us with undisguised curiosity..What a moment.

Ian & i exchanged our vows & all too soon it was over..Mr & Mrs Veck returned to the chapel to conclude the Paperwork

Martin & Hollie signed as witnesses.

" Excuse me!" said a foriegn voice as we planned to leave the chapel car park, To return to The Ahawanhee for our wedding dinner. a Family from the middle east, had just completed a 4.5 mile hike & needed to get to their car. We ended up chucking Ian in the Boot & giving the guy a lift to his car!

The Ahawanee Was a Magical Place, a beautiful Hotel set into the Granite Mountain face..Cool & Dark inside, With darkwood & Brocade Furnishings. We went to the bar & ordered drinks the waitress couldn't take her eyes off Martin & eventually asked him " how old " He was.."I'm driving" he replied She asked again & he said "37", Seems she wondered if he was under 21!

Our table was finally ready. The Queens table ( As used by HRH on 2 visits to the Hotel) Set in an alcove at the far end of the remarkable baronial dining hall, We walked the length of the room, Passing the pianist at his grand piano,attracting glances from every diner.

Our Server George introduced himself & we ordered champagne , We raised a glass to absent Family & friends .. George was somewhere in the region of 90 yrs of age..we suggested he was powered by battery & whenever out of our sight was was plugging himself in for a top up! Our amazing meal was served (not at any speed of course) over the next 2 luxurious hours as we watched our exclusive view of Bridal veil falls gradually dim & disappear..

All too soon it was time for Martin to Chauffeur us home to our Suite where we took a moment to open all the wonderful wedding cards..

Thank you all for your thoughtfulness & good wishes on this most special of days..

The Air con is fixed (oh bugger).

Goodnight from Mr & Mrs Veck , Martin & little Bear xxx