For centuries, she has boldly weathered ferocious storms, hurricane force winds and arctic cold, surviving in the harshest of climates where other living things would perish.
She resembles the Medusa of Greek mythology, her branches stretching out like possessed snakes looking for their next victim. But this Sierra Juniper is not a monster. Her branches are not possessed. She overlooks Squaw Valley, clinging to the granite below, bursting with life and majestic beauty.
To touch her bark is arguably a spiritual experience. All at once you feel the presence of a higher power, a connection with earth and sky, an unmistakable sense of harmony with nature.
“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.” ~ Herman Hesse
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~ John Muir
“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.” ~ Kahlil Gibran
She's the Friendly Medusa of Squaw Valley, tall and proud, keeping an eye on things for us down here.