Wonder and Awe

by: Dan Baxter

 

 

Morrow Rock

Throughout my life, I have been to a number of amazing places. I have been to the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls and all over the United States. However, this summer, on my trip to Northern California, I underwent an experience of true wonder and awe. I saw many amazing things on the trip such as the 17 mile drive and Sequoia and Yosemite national parks. The one experience that truly stood out among all the others however occurred at Sequoia National Park. First of all, the trees were extraordinary and made me wonder how something so old and large could still be standing.

 

 

As we moved further into the park, I realized we had come into a large valley and up ahead in the valley was this enormous rock which we later discovered was called Morrow Rock. As we approached it we realized that a windy staircase had been carved in its side and that you could park your car and climb it. We, of course, did just that and, a few thousand steps and about 45 minutes later, we came to the top of the rock.

 

 

 

Of all the things I had ever seen nothing was more extraordinary than this. We were looking down on an immense valley of ancient giant trees that seemed to have transcended time. In all directions, there was absolutely no sign of human existence. I was in absolute awe at the splendor of the valley I was looking down on. This was pure nature in all of its beauty. Even at the Grand Canyon there had been hotels and motels corrupting the view but here, everything was as it had been for thousands upon thousands of years. For miles in every direction mountains sprawled out at our feet until they faded into the haze of the horizon. It is moments like this one, as the cool breeze blew across Morrow Rock, that I realize there has to be a God. In this experience, as I stood in amazement I came to a knowledge that God has to exist for something so beautiful and enduring to exist. My experience on Morrow Rock also gave me a realization of how much there is to not only the world but existence. It was a small example of how I could see for miles in every direction and I was more or less alone. This made me realize that in the grand scale of things, we are all alone. For these reasons, my experience this summer on Morrow Rock truly instilled in me a sense of wonder and awe.