It’s been a while since we did a Throwback Thursday, but maybe that’s because all of the days tend to blur into one now and it’s hard to keep track.

Oh well, here we are, so let’s celebrate a real classic.

Earlier this week, Paul L. Velasquez died at the age of 57.

You might not recognise that name, but chances are you’ve seen the video that made him famous.

Uploaded back in January of 2010, Paul’s video has launched a thousand memes, and his awestruck commentary and tears of joy are a reminder of the inherent beauty of nature.

Paul moved to Yosemite National Park in 1985, where he worked a number of different jobs, before settling in a home on the side of a mountain in Mariposa, 10 miles from the edge of Yosemite, where he grew his own food and cultivated marijuana plants.

Perhaps that added to his sense of wonder when witnessing the double rainbow seen around the world:

When interviewed in 2010, following the video being widely shared, he had a simple message:

I kind of like to spread the message that people should be aware that they should walk more lightly on the earth. There’s a whole message in this. That the rainbow has some power and there’s a message here for humanity.

Rest in peace, Paul.

[source:washpost]