Yosemite could be good for president
When Air Force One touches down at Castle Airport this evening, it will signal the end of one of the longest weeks of President Barack Obama’s presidency.
Thursday he was in Orlando, giving what solace he could to the families of the 49 victims of the worst mass killing in America since 9-11. It wasn’t merely hate that fueled this rampage, it was an act of terrorism. The insidious droolings of Donald Trump likely ranked only as a nuisance, but Obama felt compelled to respond.
You don’t have to agree with Obama’s policies or his taste in Supreme Court justices, but you must admit he has a tough job. So this seems like good timing for the first family’s trip to Yosemite National Park.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” – John Muir.
Muir walked across America to see the place where water fell from the clouds, where stone monoliths evoked a reverence reserved for cathedrals, where stillness was found in the midst of onrushing nature. Muir introduced Yosemite to Teddy Roosevelt and helped preserve it for all Americans who followed.
Since the time of Chief Tenaya, Muir and Roosevelt, many millions of Americans have come to treasure Yosemite. Being close enough for day-trips, we get to enjoy its beauty more frequently than most – lounging by the Merced River, awestruck by the cascades, breathing in the conifers. Even a few hours in Yosemite can shuck away our cares.
“Keep close to Nature’s heart and break clear away, once in a while,” wrote Muir. “Wash your spirit clean.”
Hopefully, the president and his family will feel the mist of Bridal Veil Fall, locate Lost Arrow Spire, stand on Glacier Point as the alpenglow turns El Capitan’s granite into gold. Every tourist deserves all that. But we hope they experience the details, too – the smell of crumpled laurel leaf; fiery red snow plants; the Dipper’s song; the smoothness of water-polished rock.
A good ranger makes it fun, naming the peaks, identifying the conifers by their needles and regaling with so many stories – Douglas Fairbanks’ handstand on Glacier Point, why the “Firefall” ended and how many people can be packed into the park jail. Will anyone dare photo-bomb the first family?
Speaking of photos, the internet has plenty of the vacationing Obamas; the president in a swimsuit having fun with the family on the beach, or in shorts hacking away at golf balls.
This vacation offers a different opportunity. There are plenty of ways to have fun – rock-climbing classes, mule rides, a float trip if the water isn’t too fast, and those incredible hikes. But Yosemite invites a deeper appreciation, even spiritual repair.
“It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of nature I was ever permitted to enter,” wrote Muir.
When Muir walked these mountains, he might not have seen another visitor all day. But solitude can still be found, even among 3.5 million guests each year. And for President Obama, that might be more important. Especially this week.
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings,” wrote Muir. “Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.”
This story was originally published June 16, 2016 at 1:23 PM with the headline "Yosemite could be good for president."