In case you were wondering, my parents are to blame for my 'green' obsession. Family vacations ALWAYS involved tents and fishing poles. I knew what "Leave No Trace" and "Pack It In, Pack It Out" meant YEARS before going to Burning Man. I grew up with an organic veggie garden in the backyard. And my family recycled long before it became standard to put those big blue recycle bins out on the curb next to the trash bin.
My parents were the first environmentalists that I ever knew. And they taught me well. My mother has EASILY read every John Muir book ever written. And my father has read at least half (he works a lot). In fact, I'm pretty certain that I knew who John Muir was WELL before George Washington. And growing up only a couple of hours away from Yosemite was like having the most amazing playground right in my backyard. Yes, we played there often...
So today, on National John Muir Day, I raise my cup to Mr. Muir with much thanks and gratitude. Without his efforts the wondrous majesty of Yosemite National Park would not exist as we know it. Without John Muir it would sadly have been lost under a blanket of water much like the Hetch Hetchy Valley.
The mountains are calling and I must go. -John Muir
I'll be climbing Half Dome again at the end of June...63 days and counting!
