Yosemite Camp 4, Ground Zero and Metaphors of the Dying Process

Camp 4, Yosemite: September 23rd, 2011

My vacation begins with an early morning stealth slide-in to Camp 4 located in Yosemite National Park. Camp 4 is the renowned location where rock climbers have camped in proximity to El Capitan since the mid 40’s and is now on the National Resister of Historic Places. Camp 4 is a place where the breathtaking qualities of the natural sciences merge with those who employ it professionally. A Mecca for rock climbers from all over the world who engage and explore a deep understanding of the cycle of life as experienced through beautiful death defying acts.

Raffi Bedayn Memorial Bench, Camp 4, Yosemite

Located at Camp 4 is the famous national Columbia Boulder marked by the midnight lighting bolt for those who boulder. Read about many who have mastered or missed the lighting bolt here. At the base of a redwood tree next to the Columbia Boulder is the Raffi Bedayn Memorial rock slab bench. Placed in memory of the early rock climber who frequented Camp 4, Raffi Bedayn was the first one to manufacture and mass-produce lighter-weight aluminum alloy carabiners that he sold to his fellow climbers. He also led the movement to preserve Camp 4 for all future generations of rock climbers. In reflection of Raffi, his memorial is unique and set within magnificent Yosemite.

9/11 Memorial, Entrance with Freedom Tower Above: October 1st, 2011

9/11 Memorial, Base of the Freedom Tower and Memorial Plaza

9/11 Memorial, Reflecting Absence Pool

Photo Shoot Metaphors, The Villages, Florida: October 6th, 2011

Metaphor at Sea, Williamsburg, NY: October 1st, 2011