Inaugural thread…John Muir

Wonderful! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

" But he also loved wind, water, birds and peaks.: Indeed. This aspect of his contributions to knowledge of the Sierra is often overlooked. His knowledge of birds, among the many animals native to the Sierra, was extensive, and I was delighted to find out that he and I share an abiding love of the Ouzel in particular. I adapted it as my avatar and he wrote probably the most detailed, perceptive monograph available on this reclusive, iconic denizen of High Sierra streams. Both of us have spent a lot of time observing this delightful, eccentric little critter, although I readily cede primacy to him in this regard as well. Below is a link to his monograph, should anyone like to know more about the Ouzel. http://vault.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/the_mountains_of_california/chapter_13.aspx

This all seems a bit rushed. I mean, just because the plants grow alongside the trail and the birds fly overhead, it seems like a bit of a fringe interest for a forum about backpacking. Some of just like to hike along as fast as we possibly can, and ignore everything that's around us. Will we have a voice, or will this just be a one-sided subforum dominated by obsessive nature lovers? Ok, I'll stop channeling Tipi. This is great, thanks Roger! And an excuse to post my favorite John Muir Quote – "The squirrel will come and sit upon your knee, the logcock will wake you in the morning."

Thanks powers that be. Muir just got a new pathway in Scotland http://johnmuirway.org