Hall of Heroes

The Grand Canyon is America’s national cathedral, a meditative stone garden of geologic history. By contrast, Yosemite is our Hall of Heroes, a rough-tumbled granite temple of the gods - Olympus set down in the Sierra Mountains. Throne peaks and waterfall fountains. Cloud curtains create literal and metaphorical uncertainty...Yosemite’s visual poetry is mimicked in its grand place names: Sentinel Rock, Royal Arches, and El Capitan - the guardian of guardians. We’ve named towers Grizzly Point, Inspiration Point and Cathedral Rocks. Each a reflection of the power of the ongoing, underlying tectonic uplift of the Sierra Range. Each a source of wonder and comparison...The monumental stage set, Yosemite Valley hosts a long-running play featuring ephemera. Cast members include mist, wind, reflections, water, sunlight and flowing time. This past Saturday’s matinee was a production of the old classic “Storm Break.” The curtain lifted on new snow, parting clouds and sweet rolling water with a rainbow at its core. As sun burned through, we mortals stood relieved that the clash among giants produced beauty and harmony, the temple at peace once again...April 8, 2017.Yosemite National Park