intheknow
WAYS TO
WOO YOUR VALENTINE By KRISTINA HACKER
Y
ou don’t need to be named Casanova to plan the perfect Valentine’s Day for the object of your affections. The best way to show someone you care on the most romantic day of the year is to spend time with them doing something you both enjoy. There is a plethora of places in the 209 to spark the flame of love, below are a just a few ideas to get you started. ●
ROMANTIC HIKE The 209 has some of the most majestic landscapes in the country — the perfect backdrop for a romantic hike for two. Yosemite National Park — A national icon of natural beauty, Yosemite has awe-inspiring cliffs and dramatic waterfalls. The park is open year-round and you do not need reservations for a day trip. The park entrance fee is $35 per car. Visit nps.gov/yose/ for park information, including road closures and COVID-19 protocols before planning your trip. Calaveras Big Trees — This state park near Arnold in Calaveras County features two groves of giant sequoia trees — the largest trees in the world. This park is open year-round with both easy and more advance hikes. For up-to-date park information, visit parks.ca.gov/bigtrees Merced River Trail — This is a moderate 6-mile round-trip excursion that’s mostly flat with some rocky portions that takes you down the Merced River’s lower gorge from the Railroad Flat Campground at the 1,050-foot level north of Mariposa reached by taking Highway 140 to Briceburg. Much of the hike is along the long-abandoned Yosemite Valley Railroad that ensures a gentle grade for walking. The river below the trail often echoes off the walls of the canyon providing a gentle roar punctured occasionally by the chirping of birds.
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IN THE KNOW - Valentine's Day.indd 18
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F E B R UA RY/MA R C H 2022
1/25/2022 8:48:34 AM
