A beautiful story that I had never heard before. Thank you for sharing it, amigo. You have a good heart and kind and gentle spirit. May the Good Lord bless and keep you in the new year!

Kurt

I have seen it. Many years ago, from the top of Vail mountain as we were ready to begin the descent into the back bowls. I can still see it in my mind's eye.

What a wonderful post. Thank you.

Inspirational and beautiful. Thank you for the beautiful pictures and great story.

Hey! It's snow. Get over it.

...so you are upset that 100 years ago people deluded themselves into assigning significance to this rock formation and now they don't? Your post is a perfect example of why there can be no conversation over religion; there is no logic, only emotion. People believe and see what they want because it gives them emotional comfort.

Did they delude themselves then or now? You don't have to get so emotional about it even though it discomforts you. It is somewhat more complicated than that and might be read more closely.

15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows,

-- Matthew 11

Beautiful piece.

Thank you.

Really enjoyed 'Mountain of the Holy Cross' and your reply to Barnabus - that was me 2.5 or so decades ago. BTW - doubt Barnabus is his real name. Already shared with over 100 other folks. Thanks!

Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful New Year!

Where did it go, our sense of wonder?

Thanks, Gerard, for another fascinating post. Happy New Year!

Two girls, maybe in their early twenties, were standing there on Mountain of the Holy Cross, BUTT NAKED, with their arms in the air and their rear ends shining on the crowd as they flashed the Bowl of Tears Basin.

The God of Sacrifice and Transcendence is dead. Long live the Goddess of Narcissism and Flesh.

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." ...that can be used to justify any belief system, including global warming.

"A miracle is a change in perception."

By the way, Google Earth's photos were at a time that the cross is pretty clear:

39.466944, -106.481667

A few years back, we took the California Zephyr train from Sacramento to Denver. In Glenwood Springs two Mennonite couples got on the train and for the most part, spent their time in the touring car. I talked with them for some time (feeling all the while that my shorts were far too short; I'm tall, so longer shorts still appear almost indecent.)

While we were paralleling the Colorado River, a group of rafters went by and one of them mooned us. The Mennonite gentleman next to me said they'd seen that on the way up too. "Big smile he has," he remarked. "On sideways, though."

Whenever I encounter mooning, I think of that gently humorous commentary on it.

When I started reading the article I was thinking of Constantine the Great, and when you wrote "In hoc signo vinces" I smiled*.

You were thinking the same thing.

*I have been re-reading Frank Slaughter's book.

Obviously it looks like a cross, but the warrior in me also sees a mighty sword. Perhaps one belonging to one of the archangels. This might also explain why we are no loger privileged to see it, for it has been reclaimed by it's rightful owner. I fear his has great need for it right about now.

Great post, and thanks for sharing the beautiful artwork.

Gerard, another beautiful place I must see before I die.

Loved this post and especially this line: "...that moment when the land was new"

"He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." ...that can be used to justify any belief system, including global warming."

Oh, dry up. And try to be a little optimistic--maybe your next meal won't result in stomach cramps.

And a question--just how often do you think that your are able to put an end to someone's sense of wonder, or mystery, or their simple adherence to their own ways by gassing all over a comment section like this, Barnabus? Because never once have I met a person who was converted into someone like you via adolescent sneering.

I just read the posts about the Mt.of the HOLY CROSS. I grew up in the small town of Red Cliff,
CO. The Mt. of the HOLY CROSS has always been very special to me. If one were to take Shrine Pass from Red Cliff to now Highway 70 (towards Vail) there is a wonderful view of the Cross.
Also, a photographer, Si Ostemier,a geologist at the Empire Zinc Mine in Gilman CO and a photographer took a photo of the Cross in its orginal state. Photo is patented. During WWI when the 10th Mtn. Troops trained at Camp Hale in Pando, CO, the Cross's left side was badly damaged by the artillary fire.
Yet the Cross is still visible as a cross. Twice I have climbed the trail from Camp Tigiwan, near Minturn, to Notch Mountain only to feel the power of God in its beauty and glory. The cirque lake at the base of the Cross is the Bowl of Tears. For many years the devout had a Pilgrimage to the Cross. Some walked and other rode horses. This was part of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Minturn and Red Cliff though nonCatholics also joined the
pilgrimage. To me, the Cross is a very Blessed
Site. Shirley Mooers

I just read the posts about the Mt.of the HOLY CROSS. I grew up in the small town of Red Cliff,
CO. The Mt. of the HOLY CROSS has always been very special to me. If one were to take Shrine Pass from Red Cliff to now Highway 70 (towards Vail) there is a wonderful view of the Cross.

Also, a photographer, Si Ostemier,a geologist at the Empire Zinc Mine in Gilman CO and a photographer took a photo of the Cross in its orginal state. Photo is patented. During WWI when the 10th Mtn. Troops trained at Camp Hale in Pando, CO, the Cross's left side was badly damaged by the artillary fire.

Yet the Cross is still visible as a cross. Twice I have climbed the trail from Camp Tigiwan, near Minturn, to Notch Mountain only to feel the power of God in its beauty and glory. The cirque lake at the base of the Cross is the Bowl of Tears. For many years the devout had a Pilgrimage to the Cross. Some walked and other rode horses. This was part of St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Minturn and Red Cliff though nonCatholics also joined the
pilgrimage. To me, the Cross is a very Blessed
Site.

Shirley Mooers

Thank you, Ms. Mooers, for your extended and interesting commentary.

Thank you for this, dear Gerard. It is the marvelous piece.

In hoc signo vinces...the motto of all Sigma Chi members!