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photo by Aaron Meyers
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I watched an old movie on TCM the other night, and wondered about the fire tumbling over a waterfall in Yosemite. I'd never seen anything like it. It looked as if gasoline had been dumped over the falls and lit. What I didn't realize, is that two weeks out of every year, Horsetail Fall in Yosemite National Park, California, lights up by sunset and turns into a wild thing: "Fire Fall". On these rare few days, the waterfall catches the setting sun at a certain angle, reflecting bright gold and orange, resembling hot molten lava. This brief window of light happens every year around the third week in February.
My daughter gave me a lovely book for Christmas,
Yosemite, Art of an American Icon, a wonderful collection of photos and essays on Yosemite National Park. Voices are calling me west. I feel a long road trip coming on. If you see an old green Land Rover heading west on I-70 going about 90 mph, it's me.
What a breathtaking phenomenon!
ReplyDeleteThat IS amazing...what a sight. Have you seen the photos of the volcano in Iceland spewing molten lava while the northern lights play in the sky..breath taking.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That sounds amazing! Would be great to see that one day.
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love a road trip. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVELY suggestion for a month trip, Tess!
ReplyDeleteWith a daughter recently moved to Durango, CO, we are considering That "out West' trip...first one ever for me.
For one picture of our trip, I'd settle for the photo which that photographer way up and out on the 'edge' of that rock is taking (cover of your "Art Book", rather than get up there myself.
And no, I would not write to the Peeps, "That was ME up there--grin!
PEACE!
This is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are able to take this road trip.
Thanks for sharing
When I was a kid we camped in Yosemite often. In fact, I was there for the last Firefall before they stopped the practice. It was unbelievable and left a lasting impression.
ReplyDeleteI've seen it! Not since I was a kid, but I remember it being so amazing. One of my all time favorite bands, "Fire Fall," named themselves after this event.
ReplyDeleteAin't nature wonderful! Buy some good cushions before the trip; Land Rovers tend to be lumpy (but I'm sure you know that).
ReplyDeleteDon't go 90mph in an old Land Rover, you'll miss all the great roadside scenery! Old Land Rovers are like Harley Davidsons... they're not meant to be driven fast, they're for "cruisin' on down the road" and being looked at. Great for sight-seeing and being seen! Looking forward to more posts like this one.
ReplyDeleteWe recently watched a documentary about John Muir, who ascended the heights of Yosemite without ropes, and wearing hob-nail boots! Not bad for a partially sighted explorer in the 19th century.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great bit of info- and a lovely photo! Haven't been to Yosemite in eons! Like you say
ReplyDeletefeel the road trip calling- thanks.
amazing. have fun on your trip.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of those places I have always wanted to visit. Who knows, now I have the time I might just get over there. I will keep an eye out for you Tess.
ReplyDeleteI like the rarity of the beauty; it seems like a metaphor for life. There is beauty in constancy but, Oh, those brief moments of brilliance!
ReplyDeleteOne of my unfailing images of the US is of being in Yosemite - I found it so uplifting.
ReplyDeleteI wanna go! I've never been west of the Mississippi (well, actually, Mike & I drove over the Mississippi on a bridge just to say that we'd done it).
ReplyDeleteTess,
ReplyDeleteI remember the scene from The Caine Mutiny when the young lieutenant spends leave with his girl there.
Last time there I came near the vertiginous edge of one cliff -- a railed-in one! -- and felt as though I would be sucked into the earth.
That's what 'awe' means.
Trulyfool
TF...Yes! The Caine Mutiny...for the life of me I couldn't remember the name of the movie!
ReplyDeletegood descriptions
ReplyDeleteI saw this on the news the other day and was immediately under the spell! This is glorious!!!!
ReplyDeleteI never cease to be amazed by the magic of Nature!!!!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
We used to go camping at Yosemite when I was a child when they still had the actual "fire fall" where they dumped burning coals over the edge of the cliff. It was spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWow. That's absolutely fascinating!
ReplyDeleteGreat things in the universe happen only when the sense of appreciation and awe stem from within. What a miracle worker, God is!!
ReplyDeleteVery cool!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI posted a 55 word story on you and your magpie tale prompt,
please let me know,
i will publish the story at bluebell books.
that would be a wonderful trip, but i think i'd drive something crosscountry a little more fuel efficient than an old rangerover...man those gas prices are soaring..
ReplyDeletenow i think i need to youtube me some Firefall, since you stuck it there in my mind (such as it is)
how utterly delicious. both the falls
ReplyDeleteand
the roadtrip plan