It was toward the end of the American Civil War, a particularly tragic moment in the history of the country, that President Abraham Lincoln signed, in 1864, legislation that ordered Yosemite Valley, that Valhalla of towering walls of granite overlooking stunning vistas of lakes, river, and meadow, be set aside and preserved for the enjoyment of prosperity.  It was America's initial foray into the idea of a national park.

     Today, as many people know, today, Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks on the planet.  Its campgrounds are always full, its granite faces always covered with climbers, its backcountry always filled with trekkers:  Yosemite is a prized destination.

    

     How odd, even ironic, then that Yosemite Park's genesis occurred during such a divisive time in America's history.  It is comforting to know that even in the midst of some very trying times legislators were able to look outside of themselves and strike a blow for the greater good.

     As filmmaker Ken Burns observed, the concept of a national park is "America's best idea."  Indeed.  As Henry David Thoreau wrote over a century ago, "In wildness is the preservation of the world."  Although we do not need any more human wildness--debauchery, treachery, and more--today, we can certainly use much more natural wildness:  we need to be challenged by forces outside of ourselves.

     We are little people in a vast, vast universe.