My daughter and her boyfriend sent us this very special postcard [above] from their recent visit to the Muir Woods in California. I love the wonderful quote from John Muir, which reminded me why he was such a hero of mine years ago:
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than one seeks.”
Reading about John Muir‘s travels and his passion for the natural world had a major impact on me in my adolescence and young adulthood.
Since I now live in Florida, their postcard prompted me to read about Muir’s initial impressions of Florida:
“Everything in earth and sky had an impression of strangeness; not a mark of friendly recognition, not a breath, not a spirit whisper of sympathy came from anything about me . . .” (Chapter 5, A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf).
But once Muir ventured further, he wrote beautifully of his gratitude for the ‘strange’ delights that abound in our wonderful Marshes and Cypress forests:
“…strange plants, strange winds blowing gently, whispering, cooing, in a language I never learned, and strange birds also, everything solid or spiritual full of influences that I never before felt, yet I thank the Lord with all my heart for his goodness in granting me admission to this magnificent realm.” (Chapter 5, A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf).
This inviting post takes me to ethereal places. I love it! Thanks!
Thanks, Berny! The message from John Muir is truly an inspiration to really see the beauty in all the places around us.
Great quotes Carol! Wonderful gallery. 🙂
Thank you, H.J. We’re all so lucky that Muir and others advocated so hard to protect our natural areas.
Wonderful post and photos!
Thank you for your visit, Belinda! Hope you’re having a wonderful week.
It’s a treat to look at your work!
Such a perfect example of how this statement worked on him with his encounters in Florida! Love the quotes you pulled!
I love how he described his experiences upon first seeing Florida. I thought right away of wandering in that dark, swampy old woods, seeing nothing, worrying about gators …. when the bright Blue Jay popped into view. The beauty is sometimes hidden at first.
Thank you again for the beautiful inspiration, Yaffa!
Lovely photos and quotes. I live in Australia, and some years ago we visited Muir Woods when we were in California. A walk through those woods were one of the highlights of my life.
What a wonderful opportunity! I hope I get a chance to go there in person myself one day.
I’m reading Undaunted Courage, about the Lewis and Clark expedition. In the same way that one of your Muir quotations notes the strangeness of a new place, Lewis saw and described many species that were new to science.
My daughter also visited the Grand Canyon, and pointed out how fascinating it is to imagine what the early visitors thought when they first encountered many of these places.
Thank God for people who understand the need to revere and preserve our natural world. These images are stunning, can’t even pick a favorite! Just love them. Thanks for sharing. 💜
Thank you so much for these kind and thoughtful comments, Laura. You are so right about the importance of strong advocates for nature, especially in this rapidly changing world!
Amen. The Almighty Dollar needn’t run everything. 🙂 (My dad would be glad to hear me say that.)
The fog and redwoods and Sierras of California are so different than the humid marshy landscapes of Florida, I’m sure it must have been very strange for John Muir at first. I really enjoyed this thought-provoking post, BJ, and the beauty that abounds in all of nature.
Yes, I’m sure you’re so right, Jet. It was really intriguing to read what he wrote so many years ago about this very “foreign” landscape.
The quotes go perfectly with your beautiful photos of the woods, birds, flowers… Love it!
What a treat to read your response to the post, Amy. I was hoping to evoke exactly that impression 🙂
Thank you, just what I needed to read today BJ. Still recovery from surgery, walking outdoors a little with a walker, but my mind does not take in nature, it focuses on thoughts of two of my sisters (One younger and the other my twin.) They were diagnosed with cancer last week. My younger sister pancreatic cancer and my twin, lymphoma. It’s hard to believe how life can change so fast with the dreaded “C” disease.
I’m glad my post was a good diversion for you, Connie. I’m sorry to hear about your sisters’ diagnoses, though I am glad to hear that you are recovering and getting outside a bit.
Enjoy every moment from that beautiful window view you have ☀️
I so much will, thank you. I had a dove and two sparrows looking in my window then pecking on the glass as though they wanted to be invited into my world. ☺️
I fully agree with you and Muir, Florida’s nature is truly beautiful! You have captured it very nicely 🙂
Sorry for my long day in replying, Tiny. We were away visiting family. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.