I’ve seen the Eyrie of the Aetherii, the high place that is the centre of their civilization.
Strangely enough, it looks a lot like Yosemite National Park where the mountain ramparts rear so high and sheer into the blue they made me feel like an ant - and a particularly insignificant one at that.
We had three days at Yosemite and it’s been wonderful, memories to last for a lifetime. You see, for someone from such an ancient , worn-down country as Australia, the Sierra Nevada mountains are a revelation. The sheer bulk of all that stone and the way it’s been scoured and polished by glaciation is almost beyond belief.
On our first day there, we took an easy walk out to Mirror Lake. I just stood there like a stunned mullet (an Aussie-ism) staring and staring. In the end, I was so moved, I cried. (You will recall our discussion about being a watering pot.) Photos can’t d it justice, especially my amateur efforts, but I tried.
What gave me the biggest rush though, was that I could see my Aetherii, up there in the sky, so strong and graceful, wheeling against the blue, their wings spread to catch the updrafts. So many colours, so much beauty. Their dwellings are almost impossible to detect from the ground, of course, because the rock is hollowed like honeycomb with their wide tunnels and gracious chambers.
People often ask writers where they get their ideas from. Well, here’s one answer - from physical places. The moment I saw the cliffs looming over exquisite Mirror Lake, I could “see” Liseriel the Gray brooding up there on a high crag, while Michael (her master thief lover) fumes far below, refusing to give her up, to let her run and hide from him in the high reaches. I wonder what he’ll do?
In the meantime, while I was thinking romantically angsty thoughts, a mule deer walked daintily out of the brush, and into the middle of the stream. There it proceeded to do the most enormous poop into the crystal clear water, all with perfect serenity and grace. Nauture, gotta love her!
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Wow… that was a wonderful image to place against these photos. I can see Jan and Mirry there now! Isn’t it reassuring to be coming up with all sorts of great writing ideas while on vacation - combining the best part of work and play. Can’t wait to read that scene with Michael and Liseriel.
As for the deer…chuckle. Yeah, Nature has a way of bringing us back to earth - FAST. ;>
Keep having fun!
Beautiful pictures, hope to see more!
Denise, though I’ve never seen them in person, I think you did a great job of capturing the beauty of the mountains. They’re awe inspiring to say the very least.
It funny hearing about the deer, but that’s what they do. Isn’t nature grand!
I’m adding Yosemite to my need to visit places. Such pretty views
Hugs, Danette
Yosemite should be on everyone’s list to visit, Denise is lucky to get to stay for 3 days. I was there for one day and have always wanted to go back. I was there all the way back in 1983 when my brother married a girl from out there. This was on the top of my Dad’s places to visit. He grew up in California and moved back to the east in the 30’s when he was 16. He wanted to go back because at the time the only way up to Glacier Point was hiking and his family always told him he was to young to hike that far. Now one can drive up to that look out and I remember just standing there and looking in total awe. Your are really great and I definitely agree if we had some Aetherii hanging about I’m sure they would have dibs on the whole shebang out there.
Hi everyone
Just a blanket reply, sorry. Oh I wish you could all have been there! We could have got all teary and overwhelmed together. More about Yosemite later, perhaps, when I get more pics out of the camera. Presently in Monterey, so I expect to be distracted by the Aquarium in short order!
Hi,
I was born in Monterey. You are in lovely country indeed. Don’t forget to go to Fisherman’s Wharf if you get a chance. It was my favorite place growing up. Have fun.
Clynax, I bought a charm for my bracelet - for STRONGMAN - from a shop at Fisherman’s Wharf. Such a nice man - when I left behind my bag of souvenirs from the Aquarium (more about that later), he ran after us to give it back.
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