Sagrada Familia Cathedral

Cathedral Spires

La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain is Antoni Gaudi's masterpiece and it is still being built. It is unique among cathedrals. On the outside the style is hard to categorize, seemingly in disarray because of the continuous construction, but what is immediately apparent is that traditional cathedral expressions can't describe it properly. At first glance it might look ugly. Further scrutiny reveals a flow reminiscent of sand castles dreamed by a precocious child and poured from buckets of wet sand into fantastical shapes. 

New Testament scenes dot the facade like three dimensional dioramas: 

Angel Gabriel Appears to Mary

Angel Gabriel's annunciation to Mary, 

Killing Innocents

the Killing of Innocents, 

Jesus - The Last Day

Jesus bound, and 

Jesus is Crucified

the Crucifixion, to name a few.

Spiral Staircase Descending

One of the spires is accessible via an elevator and descending down the spiral stair case reveals

Gargoyle

Barcelona is heavily guarded by gargoyles.

The cathedral's organic nature is inviting and it's interior inspiring. A kaleidoscope of colors illuminates all and a hushed sense of awe permeates the space:

Blue Stained-glass Window

stained-glass windows cast filtered light onto new sandstone and the immensity of the space modulates 

Organ Pipes

quiet expressions of worship. 

Layered Balconies

Platonic shapes and simple geometries help to create an understandable, user-friendly place conducive to childlike wonder.

Nave and Apse

The Nave and Apse is a promenade of otherworldly columns evoking images of space, both alien and familiar. The colonnade leading to the altar seemingly expands and grows in magnitude halfway there with four columns taking up the bulk of the ornate ceiling. Yet each column is impossibly thin looking more like palm trees than stone. 

Gospel Supported Ceiling

The four columns representing each of the Gospels are discretely named Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, while the ceiling hints of a heavenly host and a multitude of chambers.

The Ascension

The Altar represents the Ascension. Gaudi re-imagined the iconography of the Crucifixion as a vehicle for Heavenly Ascension with Christ appearing to use the Cross while rising to the light above, focusing on a destination, real and divine; slender columns culminate in a brilliant apex on high: on Earth, as it is in Heaven. If a work of Art is to transcend the profane and usher in the sacred, this accomplishes it, however briefly.

Jesus Rising

Muir Woods National Monument

Reaching Skyward

Clustered in a small canyon at the base of Mount Tamalpais, North of San Francisco is a group of old-growth Coastal Redwoods known as Muir Woods; officially in Mill Valley, California; it is a world apart. This small forest makes up for its limited area by reaching skyward to unbelievable heights.  Some resident trees boast incredible altitudes, the tallest of which is 280 feet and though most are 500 to 800 years old, the oldest is 1,200 years old.

Getting to Muir Woods is as easy as crossing the Golden Gate from the South, or travelling down Highway 101 through Marin County from the North.  Once there, however, it can be difficult parking since spaces are limited and it may be a hike to the entrance. Admission costs $7.00 and once in, the first portion is wheelchair accessible.  Boardwalks, and paved paths encourage a pleasant stroll.

Knobby Wood

The trees are magnificent with awe inspiring canopies the same way a cathedral vault is grandiose, allowing ephemeral glimpses of half-perceived secrets.

Burly Growth Face

Each tree is in itself a monument if for no other reason than sheer size.  Some trees have massive knobby wood growths near the top, while other feature face-like burls on their trunks as if forced to put on a face for the curious onlookers.

Redwood Grove

Some of the most splendid trees are found here imperceptibly sipping from Redwood Creek, which winds down the slope collecting into small pools and spreading out into tiny arteries. A palpable life force extends from the stream to the trees, out their needles, and into the air; unmistakably flowing even on dryer days.

Hollowed Redwoods

Redwoods group into natural groves, sometimes bunching together invisibly bolstering each other on the long climb up to the sun.  Their bases form porous walls making temporary shelters and wild fires have hollowed redwood trunks for fauna seeking more substantial protection.

50 Shades of Green

Dappled sunlight filters it's way from above, highlighting over fifty shades of green: from verdant mosses to reddish olive to leafy emeralds.

Mystic Log

Dead stumps give new life to symbiotic growths taking on a mystic, furry quality in the shimmering light.

Fairy Forest

Dancing sun rays transform trees and ferns a fairy forest.

Hiking further afield; taking the Ben Johnson trail up from the visitor center, leads to the Pantol ranger station and campsite, which can also be reached by car.  With the forest below and the rest of Mount Tam above, comes the realization that parking at the station and hiking down an excellent option.  Up, or down, the trail is not easy but it is manageable and the exertion is full of nature's rewards.

Taking the Redwood Creek trail in the opposite direction away from the visitor center leads out of the forest, through meadows and gentle foothills down to Muir Beach where the creek empties itself in the sand and joins the Pacific Ocean.

Muir Beach

Mount Tamalpais' Steep Ravine

Foggy San Francisco viewed from Mount Tamalpais

Hiking the trails of Mount Tamalpais in Marin County, California is a rewarding exploration. The slopes are mostly steep and challenging, the views often vast and revealing; at times paths may be gentle and relaxing, yielding intimate sights. The experience hints of living a primordial existence, resetting the self in relation to nature: mind and body synchronizing with flora and fauna in awe.

Of the many trails, Steep Ravine is one of the most sheltered.  It may be approached from near the beach or close to the mountain top. Driving up to the trail head at the Rangers Station parking lot above the redwoods opens up vistas to the Pacific Ocean on the West and San Francisco on the South.  

San Francisco and Bay Bridge emerge from the fog

From these heights the City often looks like a ghostly apparition emerging from a foggy bed. As low clouds dissipate with the morning sun, the city wakes from white-lace dreams questioning permanence and reality and "all that is solid, melts into air". To the East, Mount Diablo looms like a long lost brother waving proudly from afar.

Mount Diablo viewed from Mt. Tam

Spiritually inspired, hiking down the mountain into Steep Ravine becomes a journey of discovery. Leafy canopies and tall redwoods envelop the descent in a green and red cocoon. 

Redwood tree overhead

A small creek makes its way down alongside the trail splashing and tumbling on its trip to the Pacific not far from Stinson Beach; cascading into sheltered waterfalls.  Trail and creek crisscross dancing to the tune of rustling leaves, tinkling water, and rhythmic strides.  

Sheltered Waterfall

Small wooden bridges span shaded banks while thundering footsteps pound the beat on ancient boards suddenly thudding, muffled on loose dirt; birds chirping highlight the score.

Redwood Forest Bridge

Of the many vignettes coming to life on this nature walk, the most pleasing are probably the cool mossy green waterfalls.  While not spectacular in a roaring way their charm lies in their non-threatening poise; some carving channels out of solid rock, while others, cascading over a multitude of boulders and hydrating the vegetation into fertile growth.

Mossy Rock Watefall

Redwoods variously arranged, standing, or fallen together with rich foliage create a cozy homelike feeling.Throughout, there's a sense of balance, of harmony barely disturbed by man and wildflowers rejoice in verdant freedom.