Yosemite Firefall

DISCLAIMER: These images are from old postcards, and should be viewed with caution. While the original photographer was attempting to capture an image, through their medium they inadvertently captured unintended information. This should be kept in mind when looking at these pictures.
What I'm saying is that although the artist was likely just trying to capture a pretty scene, they created a graphic time capsule which trapped the limitations, fears, irrational prejudices and mind-bending stagnation of the soul which was in effect at the time. So I'll keep my commentary to a minimum. Just think of these as being pretty pictures.

First Image:



Caption on the Back:
YOSEMITE FIREFALL
During the summer months this man-made spectical thrills thousands of visitors nightly. Each evening after dinner people gather to watch "The Fire Fall" as blazing embers fall 1400 feet from Glacier Point to the rocks below.

Ted Puffer Commentary:
You have to love nostalgia because it hides reality so well. Here's a quick way to tell if a nostalgic story or memory is false. Ask yourself if you can see people today participating in the memory. If you can't, then the event belongs to the hazy realm of fantasy. For example. You know the idea of a dad in the 40's coming home from a hard day at work? He comes in the front door and kicks off his shoes. His wife greets him with his pipe and slippers and asks how his day went. While he speaks, she busies herself making a cocktail for him and prancing around the immaculate house. Wonderful image, eh?
Now, can you see people today doing that? Not a chance. That means people didn't do it then either.
The reason I bring this up is because this postcard shows a pretty good glimpse of how people haven't changed much when they think of themselves in relation to the natural world. Part of our euphemistic history includes the idea of other generations being closer to nature than their modern city-dwelling counterparts. But in truth, this postcard is a result of a conversation that happened at the turn of the century. Namely:

Person One: "Yosemite is beautiful."
Person Two: "How about we dump our campfire over that cliff?"
Person One: "Sounds great! Let's do it every night!"

The best part of this card is the message written on the back. It dates from 1953. It's addressed to "Employees" at an address in Baldwin Park, CA.

The text of the message is:
"Hi Peoples,
Sure which you could all be here with us. It's really wonderful. Rained for 4 hours yesterday and supposed to have more today. Haven't gotten any sun, but we're sure had a wonderful time.
Bye Suckers
Maria"

I kid you not. Something tells me I'd like Maria.