The Legend of Mount Rose Nevada
by John Knott
“A young princess named Rose sought only to marry the sun.
She arose from the earth in tune with the sun,
She gave thanks to the Creator, prayed for safety, and began her adventure,
Trekking West across the Great Continent of North America.
Many months, crossing plains, and fording rivers, onward she went.
Climbing the mighty Rocky Mountain’s east face,
Building a toboggan from willow branches to slide down the Wasatch.
Steady she proceeded through the blinding salt-flats
Conserving her water and strength traveling the Great Basin Desert at night.
Singing in the cadence of her ancestors.
The rhythm of her every footstep accompanied by the beat of her heart.
Only her sunshine before her, the moon and her shadow behind her to keep her company
Her love song carried her through the forests, motivating her through
seemingly endless deserts of creosote, sage and sand.
Rose’s voice echoed from the mountains with each passing day.
Sore from her journey, Rose rested her aching feet
Pausing beside the mesmerizing blue waters of Lake Tahoe
The pinyon seed providing nourishment
she rested under the shade of mighty ponderosa.
A place of great peace, her eyes transfixed by the glimmering sunlight off the blue water.
After sitting, she had difficulty standing again, muscles aching from the journey
She winced in great effort, in tears of pain unable to stand, she made camp for the night.
Her powerful legs growing harder as the sun slipped over the ridgeline.
The strong washoe zepher wind howled like the wolfpack in the valley below.
Wisely and slowly, Rose rolled onto her back, stretching, waiting for the moon.
There she remained, through the brilliant sunset, watching the starlight tapestry emerge
Tracing the sky path, counting shooting stars amidst these comforting familiar mountains
Deep within mother earth, a hot spring warmed and soothed her through the night
Enchanted, Rose’s body transformed into sparkling granite like the stars above
A lite blanket of snow covering her and protecting her
To this day, Mount Rose is kissed by the rising sun,
A love unconditional and never broken!”
- John Knott author / graphic artist / photographer