San Francisco has been under lock down due to the pandemic so I thought this would be a good opportunity to explore my local surroundings. Tree trunks don’t usually grab my attention. Generally I spend my time looking up into trees, looking at leaves, flowers, Spanish moss, etc. But as I started paying closer attention I realized how unique each one is, a snowflake in its own right.
This is one of my favorite places to be. It's hidden and not many people know about its existence. Golden Gate Park is teeming with activity. On any given day you will encounter roller skating disco parties, bikers and joggers, dance classes, dog walkers and families enjoying picnics and more. But here things are different.
The redwood tree glen is not clearly visible or easy to find. At its entrance you are greeted by a refreshing coolness and a hushed silence that's a refuge from the frenetic energy of the park. Other than a few scattered bird calls, the 15-acre grove is quiet and perfectly still. The feeling it invokes is reverence. It's clear why it was dedicated to San Francisco locals that lost their lives in WWI. The area was dedicated in 1919 just a few months after the war ended before a crowd of 12,000 mourners.
In 1932 as further tribute, this 18-ton granite boulder bearing the names of the 748 men and 13 women who died was placed here. It's called Gold Star Mother Rock after the organization which was formed shortly after the war for the purpose of remembering the fallen and supporting grieving parents. They took their name from the symbolic window hanging of a gold star which was displayed by grieving families during wartime.
Heroes Grove is a beautiful and often missed area of Golden Gate Park that should really be on everyone's list of places to visit not only for it's historic significance but simply for its natural beauty. I'm sure it will become one of your favorite places to be.
This is one of my favorite pictures of Foxy. She is unusually serious which works with the theme of the photograph but isn't reflective of her personality. Generally she is in constant motion, tongue out, huge smile looking for trouble. Here she is still, focused and patient. It's funny to think that despite her fun-loving personality she's still a huntress at heart.
Image from: www.donnajwan.com
Donna J. Wan's ongoing project titled "Death Wooed Us" is as beautiful as it is disturbing. Wistful photographs capture the beauty and serenity of natural locations chosen by those who've committed suicide in the Bay Area. Critics may see this work as romanticizing tragedy. For Ms. Wan this project is a self-exploration of a time when she too felt suicidal and an attempt to understand her own mindset during this dark period.
Suicide destinations are frequently chosen for their striking grandeur and peace. These tortured individuals often chose to die surrounded by beauty and peace. Ms. Wan's images capture known Bay Area suicide locations from the perspective of those who took their lives with what may have been their last sight. Her work provides a fleeting look into the anguished minds of the suicidal and hopefully a chance for reflection for their survivors.
Visit her website for the full gallery: www.donnajwan.com