The historic gold rush town of Mariposa will be ghoulishly decorated for its annual Halloween Downtown on Oct. 31.  That evening, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., visitors will mix with locals at the town’s Annual Halloween Carnival held at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds.  Sponsored by the Mariposa Lions Club and presented by Mariposa Safe Families, Inc. the carnival will include game booths, prizes, food, a fire safety house, tub o’ treats and other family .Sponsored by Mariposa Lions Club.

If you’re a psychic this blog is unnecessary as you already know what we’re about to announce. But, if you’re not, then continue reading. Psychics will be gathering for food, fun and fellowship Sat., Sept. 20 and Sun., Sept. 30 at “Synchronicity” in the basement of the historic Mariposa Hotel (5029 Hwy 140 - in downtown Mariposa, California).

No appointment is needed. As, after all, your arrival has been pre-ordained. Just drop in and sign up for a reading with whichever psychic you’d like to see. Sessions are priced at 20 minutes for $25. In anticipation of the fair, Synchronicity has been restocked with DVDs, t-shirts, books and other gifts, and as an added surprise (if indeed surprises can occur in a room filled with psychics), a Chakra Crystal Bowl will be raffled for $5 a ticket or five for $20.

Nearby accommodations can be obtained at the Best Western Yosemite Way Station in Mariposa. CLICK HERE to reserve a room or for more information.

The last chance to win a getaway trip to Yosemite and Mariposa County ends Sunday at midnight when the fall version of the Yosemite Getaway Sweepstakes closes.  For more about the sweepstakes, CLICK HERE.

Amid the dog days of summer, Yosemite locals find cooling refuge in swimming holes in and near the national park.

Among the most easily reached is a hole at the Cascade Creek picnic area on the Merced Road (SR 140) a half mile east of the Arch Rock entrance station. Farther up Cascade Creek, near the Tamarack Flat campground is a brilliant-green pool. The road to the campground from the Tioga Road (SR 120) closes in mid September, but can be reached by mountain bike to the campground, then a hike along the El Capitan trail from there.

Perhaps the most visited hole is Emerald Pool above Vernal Falls. The three-mile hike up the Mist Trail so raises your body temperature that you’re eager to jump into the icy water. Natural water slides along polished granite at the east end of the pool provide a fun diversion, though be cautious about getting anywhere near the waterfall at the west end. Even at low flows, the current is strong and can carry swimmers over the edge. The trail to Chilnualna Fall near Wawona (SR 41) is a steep, 8.2 mile hike, but the reward is a many layered fall into pools that provide refreshing swimming.

Outside the national park, Diana’s Falls is 13 miles east of Coulterville near the confluence of Bean Creek and the North Fork of the Merced River in the Stanislaus National Forest. This classic hole is surrounded by rock walls and a picturesque waterfall that fills it. There’s good swimming and plenty of space to sit around the edges.

More about these and other Yosemite area swimming holes is found in “Swimming Holes of California” by Pancho Doll sold in area stores and online.