Landscapes of the Sacred: "The Mountain That Was God"

"Sacred place can be tread upon, but not entered." In this part of the book, a couple decided to take a trip to Mount Rainier for reasons that scream, 'tourist'; their journey derived from wanting to intake the mountain's beautiful scenery.

Although they did not come for the spiritual pilgrimage, they sure left with the experience. I think they began to gain the spiritual aspect when they made the stops. During the road stops, they took time to appreciate nature's great detail and all of its individuality. "As the trees got larger, we stopped more and more often --- to study waterfalls trickling down distant slopes, to listen to melted snow rushing over rocks, to breathe the air made almost palpable by its clarity." I also think knowing the cultural background of the mountain helped them reach this pilgrimage; the Native Americans knew of Mount Rainier as "Tahoma" meaning, "The Mountain That Was God." The couple was able to enter this sacred place so effortlessly, yet not just anybody can enter their sacred place.
 

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