Tumbling through the northern California Mt. Shasta Cascade Range in a succession of thundering waterfalls is the mighty McCloud River. Approaching this river through the forest, it is heard long before it is seen. The experience is sort of like the rising expectation of catharsis in a dramatic play. More than a mile away, there is the sort of sound heard from distant ocean surf. This sound increases until; finally, cresting a mountain rise, a pounding roar like a closely passing train rattles the bones. Mt. Shasta itself is an active volcano and hot springs and cave systems are everywhere and some of these lie along the McCloud River. These are generally unknown to the public and are off-limits in any event due to the numerous deaths of neophyte spelunkers. But not off-limits to one such as I with a government contract to sample geothermal water. Entering one of these caves, in a surprisingly short distance, the sound of the McCloud vanishes and only complete silence remains. In one such cave, I came upon a series of welling hot springs such as is depicted in today’s rendering. Over untold thousands of years, these springs have carried minerals from deep in the earth and deposited them to create remarkable formations that would be the envy of even the most skilled of sculptors. Every hue from pristine snow, through ice blue, to dark gray was skillfully collaged there in the darkness. It is easy to imagine that in ages now long gone, our pre-historic ancestors cavorted in these waters. Back in a time when real magic held sway. What a wondrous, silent, cathedral was fashioned here by nature’s patient hand. I must confess I took the most remarkable bath I have ever had. I have not done this magical sanctuary justice here but I felt it well worth trying. I hope you like it. Created in Ultra Fractal. P.S. On a side issue that has nothing to do with any of this, today is my Birthday! I have now seen sixty-three summers.