Mountains invite intrigue, goals, and victories. When climbing Half Dome in Yosemite National Park opportunities arise to stimulate mind, body, and spirit. Views to Half Dome from North Dome inspire warrior poses.
I have summited all Yosemite’s peaks from the valley floor. I carried with me the philosophy and assurance that nature would provide guidance and shelter in all types of weather and challenges. Nature’s nurture stimulated reverence.
Stillness surrounds with sounds of footfall, swish of tree branches, or flap of birds’ wings. Calming settles with each breath.
Breezes massage the face, arms, and legs.
Oaks, pines, and cedar mingle scents with lupine to enhance memories.
Meeting a bear cub that falls onto the trail just yards away increases heart beats. Unaware of another presence, it ambles down the other side of the path. Lizards scurry into shadows.
I have fallen asleep in all the High Sierra camps within a lullaby of waterfalls.
Everyone needs mountains to climb.
Choices loom around each turn in the metaphorical trail.
Etel Adnan fell in love with Mount Tamalpais, the first vertebrae of the backbone that stretches all the way to Tierra del Fuego. She found herself, “left with the sort of wonder that the sense of eternity always carries with it,” with a “feeling of latent prophesy.” The mountain became her muse, which she celebrated and serenaded in a flood of paintings and poetry.
Etel Adnan fell in love with Mount Tamalpais, the first vertebrae of the backbone that stretches all the way to Tierra del Fuego. She found herself, “left with the sort of wonder that the sense of eternity always carries with it,” with a “feeling of latent prophesy.” The mountain became her muse, which she celebrated and serenaded in a flood of paintings and poetry.
With Adnan’s insights, the mountain became both object of reverent curiosity and sovereign; both metaphor and not-metaphor. Etel Adnan: Mount Tamalpais, 1985. (Sursock Museum, Beirut, Lebanon)
Writer, Ursula K. Le Guin was asked, “Who is the most important person you ever met?” She replied, “A mountain. I discovered that Tamalpais was at the very center of my being."
Skinner Butte in Eugene, Oregon inspires with its views of the city and beyond to Spencer Butte’s silhouette. Eagles nest in high branches. Along the snaking trail, squirrels, hawks, osprey, bluejays, flickers and sparrows share the journey to the top.
Enlightenment arrives from reflection on sensual delights and challenges of nature’s experiences. We learn lessons of solitude and climb above the fear of falling. In the step-by-step process, we defeat self-doubts.
A mountain’s simplicity and tranquility calm and soothe us into views where blues of sky meet the azure sea.
