Housekeeping camp

Accommodation within Yosemite Valley is limited (once again the sooner you know you’re going to Yosemite the better, i.e. the more choices of accommodation you will have).
3 types of accommodation are available:
- Lodges i.e. hotel with hard walls
- Campgrounds, for those who want to camp
- Cabins, some kind of a permanent tent.
For the days we wanted to go to Yosemite, all the lodges where full. Even if there would have been availability I’m not sure we could have afforded them (200$/night... that's not a bargain). We were left with camping or cabins. If you know us a tiny little bit you would know that we are not campers. Like my sister likes to say, “The place should have at least a plug for the hairdryer”. This left us with the cabins:

"These camping units, located in the interior of the camp, offer one double bed with two single bunk beds, interior shelving for storage, interior and exterior lighting and electrical outlets, covered patio, picnic table, fire pit, and two bear-proof storage lockers. Bedding is not included but can be rented if you were unable to bring it with you. Units are prepared for your arrival with a light sweeping and dusting as well as removal of any trash left over by the previous occupants. No daily maid service. Use of the shared restrooms and central shower area is also included. Bedpacks may be rented for $2.50 per night, and include 2 sheets, 2 blankets, and 2 pillows"

Guide du Routard described these cabins as “basic” but they are cheap especially if you choose a non river one (50$ vs. 100$ a night).
What can I tell you, permanent tent is better than full scale camping. Housekeeping camp it is.

That’s what a cabin looks like.

A cabin is meant to hold up to 4 people. It’s a wooden structure covered with plastic cover. There is a double bed and 2 bunk beds. After cleaning the mattress of the double bed we opened the bed pack and made the bed. We used the other 2 beds for storage.
There are also a couple of shelves should you want to put anything in there, a mirror, a lamp and a power plug (minimum requirement, right). A plastic “bache” plays the role of a door.
No heating. Common bathroom are located a bit further away (very clean to be fair). Common showers are located at the entrance of the camp.

In front of the cabin there is a table and more storage space.

Basic? No kidding.

Now I need you to imagine the scene. Wolfram and I arriving at the camp with our trolleys, rented bed packs and borrowed sleeping bags. Clearly unprepared for this. While all our belongings for this trip were nicely fitted into 2 trolleys and a couple of plastic bags, most people come to the housekeeping camp with their whole house. People bring food so they can make fire on the fireplace provided (only allowed from 5pm till 10pm). We did bring some cookies and cereal bars for snacks, in our defense, but that was it.

People literally empty their fully loaded car with all they needs for their stay: food, cooking utensils, toys for the kids, bicycles, TV even, BBQ. Like Bernhard said: “they pack their kitchen and living-room”.
Seriously impressive. For me camping or any variation of it is about going back to basic and not bothering with all the unnecessary. Seems in the US it’s another story.

Our “little nest” settled and food stored away, we took the car to the Curry Village for dinner. As unprepared as we were compare to the others, we quickly found the pizza place and ordered a pizza, which turned out surprisingly good. Seems there is a secret recipe for the tomato sauce.
Stomach full we headed back to our cabin and quickly went to bed as it was getting cold, there is nothing to do at night (especially if you didn’t bring and TV or games) and anyhow quiet hours are from 10pm to 6am.