HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN MUIR

21 Apr

Happy Birthday to John Muir.

According to wikipedia there are 6,555 national parks worldwide. When he was born in Dunbar Scotland 174 years ago there weren’t any. If that isn’t a legacy to be proud of I don’t know what is. He helped to create the idea of what it meant to preserve our wild places. Luckily for us, some of his greatest achievements were here in California where not only our group, but hopefully generations to come will be able to stroll through places that haven’t changed much from the days before humans even existed.

So many people throughout history are remembered for destruction and pillage, it’s nice to know that nearly 100 years after he passed and close to 200 since he was born, not only is he still remembered for what he saved, but his writings, political actions and exploits still inspire us to do right by his legacy.

“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.” Indeed John Muir, I only hope that wherever you are the views rival the ones you saved here on earth.