"Golden slumbers fill your eyes Smiles awake you when you rise."
John Lennon/Paul McCartney -- The Beatles
Lyrics from Golden Slumbers
“Hmmm, shouldn’t you be waking up about now? I understand that nobody likes to get up before they have had their full share of sleep, but staying buried in bed covers a little longer than usual can make others worry.
“True, we all have those days when the sheets seem to weigh us down and lifting them off becomes the greatest accomplishment of the day. So, if that is the issue and you need to stay hidden for a couple of more days as you continue to access the ‘snooze’ button, then go ahead, we can work with that.
“I just thought I’d poke around a bit and see if you are ready to see the world again. I cannot say I know what it is like to be a celebrity, but I imagine a little solitude must be cherished at times. In case you are wondering, we are indeed expectantly awaiting your return. No, it’s not as if we are going to bombard you by coming together all at once to photograph you like pouncing paparazzi, but you must know that smiles will certainly await you when you arise! Even so, it is December and visitors to Yosemite have become scant compared to summer months when elbow room can be in short supply. Plus, an arctic chill has filled the air and temperatures have dropped into the freezing range, keeping most of us indoors where the warmth comforts us.
“So, we understand you wanting to stay slumbering as long as possible. Naturally, we do not wish to come off as pushy or overly demanding, either, by inquiring about your current status. Simply put, we have noticed that we have not seen you for 86 days, since September 6th, to be exact. And you started to fade away way long before that!
“Yes, yes, we did enjoy your presence late into the summer and you may be thinking, ‘Wait a minute, I stuck around a lot longer than usual considering most years I am gone by mid-August and sometimes even by early July in those drought years.’ Okay, we understand that. You’re saying you like to get about three months off. Right! If it works for educators, why not a waterfall?
“Like a friend of mine says, there’s no sense in arguing about facts. So, the three months appears to be expiring soon. Of course, there is no pressure to emerge from your rest, and we don’t wish to annoy you into a recurrence of the events of January 2nd, 2007. Who can forget that day? Your reentry, frankly, frightened many of us considering the force and power you exhibited that day. We are all in agreement that you came roaring over the edge of Yosemite Valley’s walls like a freight train run off the tracks. The so-called “pineapple express” that brought warmer tropical moisture throughout Yosemite and its high country melted layers and layers of snow, transforming virtually every granite precipice into a waterfall and creating a Noahic flood in Yosemite Valley.
“No, none of us desire a repeat of the convergence of those events. Unfortunately, the Park had to close for a couple of months back then and hundreds of millions of dollars were expended restoring the Park’s roads and all of the infrastructure that got washed away. We can definitely do without a return like that!
“At this point, even a one-eye-open entrance would be sufficient. You know, just a little indication you’re back to alleviate some of our concern, and, yes, to calm our impatience.
“We would even be satisfied with a comeback similar to last year (2018) where you sleepily and quietly pulled back the cloud cover to say, ‘Good Morning’ (even though it was late in the day!). All we are saying is that we wish for the speedy restoration to your rightful place in the Park. Forgive the sentimentality, but we do miss you. You are such an important part of the Park, the highest waterfall in North America and the fifth-highest in the world at 2,425 feet (739 meters). Yosemite is just not the same without you. Truly, many travelers come far and wide searching you out and to see you perform. Your sparkling white display in the winter, your gushing exuberance in the spring, and your refreshing spray in the summer, bring admirers from all over the world. Admittedly, few of us come to see you sleeping!
“Seeing you reminds us of what makes Yosemite special. So, we say, ‘Wakie, wakie, Yosemite Falls!’ We acknowledge the selfish nature of our request, but let’s face it, slumbering is not your most endearing trait! If all we wanted was photos of rock features, we could find a fair amount of other granite icons willing to share their profiles for our cameras! But it’s you we miss! Seeing you make good on your ‘diva-like’ reputation brings all of us much delight.
“So, snooze a little longer if you must. We will be here when you decide it’s time to ‘wakie, wakie’”.
POSTSCRIPT: Yosemite Falls finally returned on December 3, a little sleepy-eyed, but quickly coming to dress itself in its much-loved sparkly attire by the winter solstice.
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