The ultimate building blocks of our planet, shaped by the forces of nature over millions of years, and found in so many different shapes, sizes, and varieties, rocks, are certainly one of the coolest things found in nature! Not only essential to the geology of the earth, rocks offer a stunning natural beauty that is worth your day to day gratitude. Whether it’s the rough surface of a granite boulder or the smooth curves of a river rock, rocks have a unique tactile quality that can be both calming and inspiring. If you look closer you can observe their intricate patterns and markings, such as the swirling veins of marble or the layering of sedimentary rocks, that offer a visual feast for the eyes.
Only a few hours from Westmont lies the breathtaking National Park, Yosemite where the abundance of huge rocks highlights their natural beauty. Yosemite is renowned for drawing expert rock climbers, hikers, and photographers from around the world, all allured by the stunning rocks. The park’s unique geology is a result of its location on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where glaciers, water, and wind have shaped the landscape over millions of years. Its granite cliffs are some of the most famous rock formations in the world, most prominently, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Cathedral Peak. The granite in Yosemite is unique because it is made up of a type of rock known as granodiorite. This rock is formed from the cooling of magma that rises to the Earth’s surface and is then exposed by erosion over time. So, maybe next time you’re about to curse out the small rock in which you tripped rushing to work, reconsider what you’re speaking to and take a minute to appreciate the gray lumps!