Let’s talk about this inspiring human: John Muir.
He was a farmer, inventor, sheepherder, naturalist, explorer, writer and conservationist.
The interesting fact about him is how everything started.
The darkness made him see a new world. I invite you to see through his eyes.
Here are five interesting things about him.
In 1867, while working in a store, he suffered an eye injury that blinded and changed his life. After recovering his vision, almost a month later, Muir decided to turn his eyes to the fields and woods. There his years of desire for travel began. He walked a thousand miles from Indianapolis to the Gulf of Mexico. He sailed for Cuba and then for Panama, where he crossed the isthmus and went up the west coast, disembarking in San Francisco in March 1868. From that moment, although he traveled around the world, California became his home.
2) His legacy
John Muir had a great legacy in the formation of the world of “Environmentalism”. He made immeasurable contributions in wilderness preservation and was instrumental in the formation of several other National Parks, including Sequoia and Grand Canyon and, in 1890, the Congress established Yosemite National Park.
3) The most important camping trip
Muir co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892, acting as president of the environmental-advocacy organization for more than two decades. In the new century he continued to make history with his 1903 three-night camping trip with Theodore Roosevelt, which helped shape the U.S. president's own conservationist policies. This camping could be considered the most significant camping trip in conservation history. He persuaded Roosevelt to return Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to federal protection as part of Yosemite National Park.
We can consider John Muir as the most famous and influential naturalist in the United States. If it weren't for him and his writings, we probably wouldn't have Yosemite National Park as we know it today. He was also involved in the creation of the Grand Canyon, Kings Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Mt. Rainier National Parks.
4) Powerful quotes
John Muir became known as John of the Mountains and the Father of America's national parks.
Also, Muir’s words continue to inspire love of nature. He has so many quotes. Here are some popular:
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.”
“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
“Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
When I read his quotes, I felt the love he had for nature and all the places he discovered.
5) Fun Facts:
- He never graduated but studied enough botany and geography to fuel his passions in life.
- In 1867 John Muir walked to Florida from Kentucky (845 miles, almost 12 full days just walking) and took a job at Hodgson's sawmill. He almost died of malaria three days later.
Enjoy this video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu0MqGS1RfQ
I like hiking and always come to a new place wondering in my mind “Who did it? Who did find this place?” but never search. I love Yosemite National Park and now I know the history of this place! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, he supported white supremacy, and nowadays the Sierra Club has to deal with that.
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