THE MENTOR 1916.10.02, No. 116,
The Yosemite Valley
LEARN ONE THING
EVERY DAY
OCTOBER 2 1916
SERIAL NO. 116
THE
MENTOR
THE YOSEMITE VALLEY
By DWIGHT L. ELMENDORF
Lecturer and Traveler
DEPARTMENT OF
TRAVEL
VOLUME 4
NUMBER 16
FIFTEEN CENTS A COPY
The Incomparable Yosemite
No temple made with hands can compare with theYosemite. Every rock in its walls seems to glowwith life. Some lean back in majestic repose; others,absolutely sheer or nearly so for thousands of feet, advancebeyond their companions in thoughtful attitudes,giving welcome to storms and calms alike, seeminglyaware, yet heedless, of everything going on about them.
Awful in stern, immovable majesty, how softlythese rocks are adorned, and how fine and reassuringthe company they keep: their feet among beautifulgroves and meadows, their brows in the sky, a thousandflowers leaning confidingly against their feet, bathed infloods of water, floods of light, while the snow and waterfalls,the winds and avalanches and clouds shine andsing and wreathe about them as the years go by, andmyriads of small winged creatures—birds, bees, butterflies—giveglad animation and help to make all the airinto music.
Down through the middle of the Valley flows thecrystal Merced, River of Mercy, reflecting liliesand trees and the onlooking rocks; things frail and fleetingand types of endurance meeting here and blendingin countless forms, as if into this one mountain mansionNature had gathered her choicest treasures to draw herlovers into close and confiding communion with her.
JOHN MUIR.
FROM A WATER COLOR PAINTING
CATHEDRAL SPIRES, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
THE YOSEMITE VALLEY
The Story of the Valley
ONE
It was once said that “a man has to be an awfulliar to tell the truth about California”; and thisapplies especially to the wonderful Yosemite (yo-sem´-it-ee)Valley. The name Yosemite means“full grown grizzly bear.” The Valley lies on the west slope ofthe Sierra Nevada range, a