"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." - John Muir

This beautiful quote by John Muir will surely be loved by those of us who love the words of Henry David Thoreau as I do.

Having lived in the SF Bay area for over eight years, I walked in the redwood forests of Muir Woods many times. It is a cathedral of a place where I always felt a communion with this man's spirit.

John Muir founded The Sierra Club and was responsible for preserving large nature areas and western forests. He petitioned Congress for the National Parks Bill (which passed in 1899), establishing both Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. 

As with Thoreau's work and life, I remain eternally grateful for John Muir's gift of preservation of our earthly wilderness lands as well as his expression of beauty, passion, and love in his writing.